Beijing Daily: It’s reported that the border clash between Pakistan and Afghanistan on Thursday night inflicted heavy casualties on both sides. In the early hours of Friday, Pakistan launched airstrikes on Afghanistan’s capital Kabul and other places. Tensions escalated rapidly between the two countries. What’s China’s comment?

Mao Ning: China is closely following the developments. Pakistan and Afghanistan are and will always be each other’s neighbors. They’re both China’s neighbors as well. As their neighbor and friend, China is deeply concerned over the escalation of the Pakistan-Afghanistan conflict and is saddened by the casualties.

The intensity of ongoing clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan has gone beyond previous levels. Any protraction or escalation will inflict harm and losses on both sides. China supports combating all forms of terrorism and calls on the two sides to remain calm, exercise restraint, properly resolve differences and disputes through dialogue and negotiation, end the fighting as soon as possible, and avoid more sufferings. It’s in the fundamental interest of the two countries and two peoples and will help keep the region peaceful and stable. China has been mediating between the two sides via its own channels, and stands ready to continue playing a constructive role for deescalation and the improvement of relations between the two countries. Our Ministry and embassies in Pakistan and Afghanistan are engaging relevant sides in the two countries. China asks Pakistan and Afghanistan to ensure the safety and security of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions in the two countries.

Reuters: Panama President José Mulino has said he does not anticipate China taking any countermeasures after CK Hutchison’s exit from two Panamanian ports, adding that Panama would respond if China did take any measures. Does the Foreign Ministry have any comment on this?

Mao Ning: China’s position on issues related to relevant Panamanian ports is clear. China will firmly defend the company’s legitimate and lawful rights and interests.

CCTV: Following three recent rounds of talks on the Ukraine crisis, Russia, the U.S. and Ukraine will hold a new round of talks in early March. On the afternoon of February 25, President Xi Jinping met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz who was on an official visit to China. The two sides exchanged views on the crisis. Could you share more details?

Mao Ning: In a meeting on February 25, President Xi Jinping and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had an in-depth exchange of views on the Ukraine crisis. President Xi expounded on China’s principled position, and pointed out that the key to finding a solution lies in consistent dialogue and negotiation. It is important to ensure the equal participation of all sides and strike a solid foundation for peace; accommodate the legitimate concerns of all sides and enhance the will for peace; and realize common security and build a lasting architecture of peace.

Since the outbreak of the Ukraine crisis, China has stayed committed to promoting peace talks and a political settlement of the crisis. Though parties remain divided, they engaged in talks that are beginning to focus on substantive issues concerning the crisis. China welcomes this. Peace talks won’t end the crisis overnight, but as long as dialogue is still on, there is hope for peace. We hope the three aspects of effort that should be ensured proposed by President Xi Jinping will offer useful inspirations to talks among relevant parties. China will continue to play a constructive role for peace in its own way, support all efforts for peace, and support all parties in continuing dialogue and negotiation, building consensus, reaching a fair, durable and binding peace agreement, and bringing about lasting peace and stability in Europe.

RIA Novosti: I want to follow up on Pakistan and Afghanistan. I want to ask if China is considering the evacuation of its citizens and companies from those two countries or suspending flights?

Mao Ning: We are closely following the developments and will provide necessary assistance to Chinese nationals in need.

Hubei Media Group: According to recent data, China has become the world’s first country with over 5 million valid domestic invention patents. Its invention patent applications have ranked first globally for many consecutive years. China also holds about three-fifths of the world’s AI patents and two-thirds of robot-related patents. Some observers view these figures as evidence of China’s commitment to intellectual property protection and the vitality of its scientific and technological innovation. What is your comment?

Mao Ning: Speaking of scientific and technological innovation, during the Spring Festival, I was most impressed by the robots’ performance at the Spring Festival Gala and videos generated by Seedance 2.0 for new year greetings. Innovation is transforming our everyday life, making it easier and creating joyful surprises.

Scientific and technological innovation provides a strong driving force for China’s high-quality development and is an important pillar of Chinese modernization. The recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan vowed to raise China’s innovation capacity across the board and set substantial improvements in scientific and technological self-reliance and strength as one of the major objectives for economic and social development. China believes that scientific and technological innovation must always be for the people, for good and for all and it should be about narrowing the technology gap. China will stay committed to openness and promoting international exchange and cooperation. We hope that more countries and people will benefit from the opportunities created by China’s innovation.

Bloomberg: The Pentagon plans to spend an additional US$ 12.6 billion to improve surveillance of Chinese military maneuvers, submarines and satellites, because they want to counter what it calls an unprecedented Chinese military buildup in Asia. This is from a U.S. budget document sent to Congress. Can you comment on that?

Mao Ning: The U.S. uses the so-called “China threat” as a pretext to strengthen military deployment in the Asia Pacific. This is not conducive to regional peace and stability and is not in the interest of regional countries.

RIA Novosti: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said yesterday that any agreement on limiting nuclear weapons must involve the United States, Russia and China, adding that Washington will continue to press on Beijing because such an agreement would be good for the world. What’s China’s comment?

Mao Ning: China made clear its position on multiple occasions. Sitting on an enormous nuclear arsenal, the U.S. should fulfill its special and primary responsibility for nuclear disarmament. This is the international consensus. China’s nuclear strength is by no means at the same level with that of the U.S. and Russia. It is neither fair, reasonable nor realistic to ask China to join the nuclear disarmament negotiations at this stage.