Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi will chair the fifth China-Central Asia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting from November 30 to December 1 in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Murat Nurtleu, Kyrgyzstan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Kulubaev Zheenbek Moldokanovich, Tajikistan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sirojiddin Muhriddin, Turkmenistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov, and Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov will attend the meeting in China. 

CCTV: It’s reported that China and the US released personnel from prison on both sides. Three US citizens have returned to the US and it shared some details about the cases concerning the three Chinese citizens freed from the US. Can you confirm and what’s your comment?

Mao Ning: Through the unremitting efforts of the Chinese government, three Chinese citizens wrongfully detained by the US have returned safely to China. It once again shows that never ever will China give up on its citizens. The motherland will always have their back.

Let me stress that China remains firmly opposed to the US’s politically driven suppression and persecution of Chinese nationals and will continue taking all measures necessary to defend the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of Chinese nationals.

Among those sent back from the US is a fugitive who fled to the US many years ago and has now been repatriated to China. No one can escape justice, and no place on earth can be a safe haven forever for crime. The Chinese government will continue its work to bring back fugitives and recover their illegal proceeds, and will not rest until they are all brought to justice.

The Paper: To follow up on your announcement about the fifth China-Central Asia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Chengdu, can you share what will be discussed at the meeting?

Mao Ning: At the fifth China-Central Asia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the outcomes of the China-Central Asia Summit in Xi’an will be further implemented, and preparations for the second summit in Kazakhstan next year will be launched. Foreign Ministers from the six countries will exchange views on the advancement of China-Central Asia cooperation across the board, the building of the China-Central Asia mechanism and international and regional issues of mutual interest. 

AFP: Taiwan’s Lai Ching-te will stop over in Hawaii and Guam during his trip to the Pacific. Does China have a comment on this?

Mao Ning: The one-China principle is a basic norm in international relations and a prevailing international consensus. The Lai Ching-te authorities’ political manipulation and separatist provocations by visiting countries having so-called “diplomatic ties” with Taiwan will lead nowhere. It will not shake the solid and strong international commitment to the one-China principle or stop the overriding historical trend towards China’s reunification. We have all along opposed official interactions between the US and the Taiwan region, opposed any visit by the leader of the Taiwan authorities to the US in any name or under whatever pretext, and opposed any form of US connivance and support for “Taiwan independence” separatists and their separatist activities in any form. 

China News Service: The State Department on its website downgraded its travel advisory for China from level three to level two and removed the notation indicating the risk of wrongful detention. What’s China’s comment?

Mao Ning: China noted the adjustment made by the US and believes that it is conducive to the normal mutual visits between the people of the two countries. We oppose any move that can have a chilling effect. We hope that the US will do more to facilitate cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

The New York Times: Do you have any comment on the ship near Denmark that is of Chinese registration and has been stopped by vessels there?

Mao Ning: We have shared China’s position several times in recent days. When handling such incidents, China always upholds a cooperative attitude. There is now ongoing communication and coordination between China and relevant parties.

TASS: The New York Times reported that some US and officials from EU countries proposed giving Ukraine nuclear weapons. Does the Foreign Ministry have any comment?

Mao Ning: China is paying close attention to the nuclear risks triggered by the Ukraine crisis and has reiterated time and again that nuclear weapons should not be used and nuclear war must not be fought. Under the current circumstances, all parties need to remain calm and exercise restraint, and jointly seek to cool down the situation through dialogue and consultation to reduce strategic risks.

AFP: The International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor on Wednesday asked judges to grant an arrest warrant for Myanmar’s junta chief over alleged crimes against humanity committed against Rohingya Muslims. Does China have a comment on this?

Mao Ning: The Rakhine issue has a complex historical, ethnic and religious background, which needs to be prudently resolved with a multi-pronged approach. As a friendly neighbor of Myanmar, China closely follows the developments of the situation in Rakhine State and stands ready to work with the international community to play a constructive role in stabilizing and deescalating the situation. 

We always believe that the International Criminal Court should uphold an objective and impartial stance, strictly follow the principles of complementarity and cooperation, exercise its functions and powers prudently in accordance with the law, and interpret and apply the Rome Statute and general international law in good faith. Under the Statute, the Court has no jurisdiction over acts committed by nationals of non-State Parties on the territory of a non-State Party, unless referred to it by the UN Security Council.

The New York Times: Volkswagen said yesterday that Volkswagen and the SAIC would transfer their joint venture in Xinjiang to an affiliate of the Shanghai government. Do you have any comment on that and also about efforts by BASF, a German company, to sell its stakes in joint ventures in Xinjiang?

Mao Ning: I’d refer you to these companies and competent authorities for business cooperation details. Some political forces have spread too many rumors and created too much disinformation about Xinjiang in the world. “Forced labor” is one of these. By concocting these lies, they are aiming to destabilize Xinjiang and hold back China’s development and revitalization. What they are actually doing is to force “de-coupling”, unemployment and poverty on Xinjiang under the pretext of human rights. Such attempts will never succeed. Currently Xinjiang enjoys social stability, economic growth, ethnic solidarity and harmony among various religions. The rights and interests of the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang are well protected. China will continue to promote high-quality development and expand high-standard opening up to create more opportunities for foreign companies, including those from Germany, to invest and operate in China.

Beijing Youth Daily: It was reported that Koreshige Anami, former Japanese Ambassador to China, passed away from pneumonia on November 13. Can I have your comment on that?

Mao Ning: Mr. Koreshige Anami has long been engaging in diplomatic work related to China. He served as Japanese Ambassador to China from 2001 to 2006, and became a member of the 21st Century Committee for China-Japan Friendship after retirement, making positive contribution to improving and developing China-Japan relations. We express condolences over his passing and sympathies to his family. The Chinese Ambassador to Japan and former Chinese ambassadors to Japan who worked with him have sent messages of condolences to his family. 

AFP: Reuters has reported that China is likely to launch military drills near Taiwan around or shortly after Lai Ching-te’s visit to the Pacific. What is China’s comment on this?

Mao Ning: I made clear China’s position on Lai Ching-te’s visit just now, and your question is not about foreign affairs. 

AFP: German car giant Volkswagen said yesterday it would sell its operation in China’s Xinjiang region. Just wanted to ask if the Foreign Ministry has any additional comment on this.

Mao Ning: The New York Times asked the same question just now, and I have answered that.