At the invitation of the African Union, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council Liu Guozhong will attend the High-Level Meeting of African Heads of State and Government and Partners on the Ebola Disease Outbreak on June 16 via video link.

Xinhua News Agency: Foreign Minister Wang Yi just concluded his visit to Mongolia. Can you share more details?

Lin Jian: At the invitation of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia Battsetseg Batmunkh, Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Mongolia from June 13 to 15. During the visit, Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa and Prime Minister Uchral Nyam-Osor respectively, held large and small group talks with Foreign Minister Battsetseg Batmunkh, and issued a joint press communiqué. Foreign Minister Wang Yi also, together with senior Mongolian officials, attended the water-flow commissioning ceremony of the Ulaanbaatar Central Wastewater Treatment Plant, a project funded under China’s preferential buyer’s credit.

Both sides agree that, connected by mountains and rivers and with a shared future, China and Mongolia are natural neighbors and comprehensive strategic partners. Both sides always respect each other’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and any attempts by third countries to utilize the territory to harm the other’s sovereignty and security will not be allowed. These are the important safeguards of the sound development of China-Mongolia relations. Both sides agree, under the important common understandings between the two heads of state, to strengthen strategic mutual trust, deepen practical cooperation, foster people-to-people connectivity, and make continuous efforts to jointly build a bilateral community with a shared future characterized by peaceful coexistence, mutual assistance, and win-win cooperation.

The Mongolian side said that developing friendly relations with China is a top priority of Mongolia’s foreign policy, and Mongolia will not do anything that harms China’s interests, regardless of its relations with other countries. It emphasized that the Mongolian side understands and respects China’s positions and concerns, and is firmly committed to the one-China principle. It regards Taiwan as an inalienable part of China’s territory, does not support any form of “Taiwan independence” activity, and supports China’s national reunification. The Mongolian side reiterated its support on the vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity and the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that China’s policy toward Mongolia remains consistent and stable, and that China has always placed the development of its relations with Mongolia in an important position in its neighborhood diplomacy. China has both the will and the capability to be a neighbor that Mongolia can rely on, a trustworthy friend, and a partner for accelerated development. China supports Mongolia in developing its economy and improving people’s livelihoods, and stands ready to strengthen the synergy of development strategies with Mongolia, pursue high‑quality Belt and Road cooperation and follow modernization paths suited to our respective national conditions.

Both sides have issued a joint press communiqué of the foreign ministers’ talks and established that the important common understandings between the two heads of state shall serve as the guidance for advancing China-Mongolia comprehensive strategic partnership. The two sides should respect each other’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and not interfere in each other’s internal affairs. Any attempts by third countries to utilize the territory to harm the other’s sovereignty and security should not be allowed. The Mongolian side reiterated that as its natural neighbor, China is a top priority of Mongolia’s foreign policy. It opposes “Taiwan independence” and believes that Xizang-related issues are China’s internal affairs. Both sides condemn fascism and militarism in any form and do not support any attempt to revive them.

CGTN: A recent survey released by the U.S.-China Business Council shows that 80 percent of responding U.S. companies consider Chinese market to be “very important” or “important” to their global competitiveness. A previous innovation report published by the German Chamber of Commerce in China also shows that the share of German automotive companies conducting R&D in China has increased significantly in an effort to speed up innovation and save costs. This suggests that political narratives like “de-risking” from China and “unfair competition” have limited sway over foreign firms’ decisions. What is your comment?

Lin Jian: No one is better placed than enterprises, the real market players, to say whether more cooperation with China brings risks or opportunities. Whether to choose protectionism or embrace competition and pursue innovation, enterprises have let their actions speak for themselves.

China’s full-fledged industrial system, diverse application scenarios, high-caliber talent pool and ever-improving policy environment offer a fertile ground for global businesses to innovate. More and more foreign enterprises are opting for “R&D in China,” turning their Chinese manufacturing bases into innovation hubs and using China’s vast market as a “fitness club” to build up their global competitiveness. China will stay committed to advancing high-standard opening up, and provide more support and facilitation for foreign enterprises to “create in China.”

Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting: Despite the very first item of the U.S.-Iran agreement calling for an end to the war on all fronts, we are still witnessing continued attacks against Lebanon. What is China’s position on this?

Lin Jian: China is deeply concerned over the current situation between Lebanon and Israel. Lebanon’s sovereignty and security should not be violated. We hope relevant parties will exercise prudence on their words and deeds, stick to peace, and earnestly implement the ceasefire to make a full and permanent end to hostilities possible and create conditions for safeguarding peace and tranquility in the Middle East.

China News Service: We noted the opening in Beijing today of a training program on capacity building in small arms and light weapons control involving China, the UN and Africa. Are you able to share some information on it?

Lin Jian: The China-UN-Africa training program on capacity building in small arms and light weapons control opened in Beijing this morning. Co-organized by China and the UN mainly for countries in the African Great Lakes region, this training program aims to enhance African countries’ capacity in small arms and light weapons control, mitigate risks of illicit circulation of arms, and support the African Union initiative “Silencing the Guns in Africa.”

China attaches great importance to and actively promotes peace and development in Africa. Cooperation with African countries on small arms and light weapons control is part of the ten partnership initiatives for joining hands to advance modernization for China and Africa proposed by President Xi Jinping, and one of the priorities of the Global Security Initiative. China has in place sound policies and practice for small arms and light weapons control, and has for many consecutive years registered one of the lowest rates of violent crimes related to guns or explosives worldwide. We stand ready to deepen exchanges and cooperation with African countries and offer our assistance in their pursuit of peace, stability, development and prosperity.

AFP: Both the U.S. and Iran have said that some ships have begun transiting through the Hormuz Strait. But yesterday you said that China hopes for the early resumption of safe passage. So my question is, have any Chinese ships begun transiting through the strait since the announcement of the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding? 

Lin Jian: We have noted that the text of the memorandum of understanding for the first stage of negotiations between Iran and the United States includes the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait of Hormuz is a strait for international navigation. Early resumption of safe and free passage through the strait serves the interests of all parties. China stands ready to maintain communication with relevant countries and the international community on this matter.

Regarding the issue of Chinese ships you mentioned, China has been in communication with all parties and will continue to make every effort to protect the safety and security of Chinese ships and crew.

DPA: Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said yesterday the bloc has “verified reports” that the Chinese side has been training Russian military personnel to fight in Ukraine. What’s your response to the allegation?

Lin Jian: Such assumptions have no factual basis at all and are nothing but smears.