CCTV: The ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held on July 13 adopted the ASEAN-China Joint Statement on Commemorating and Reflecting on the 20th Anniversary of China’s Accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia. How would you comment on this?

Mao Ning: In 2003, leaders of China and ASEAN countries jointly witnessed China’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia—the first country to do so, which marked a new phase of relations between China and ASEAN. Being the first to join the Treaty is consistent with China’s diplomatic tradition of treating all countries, big or small, as equals, and China’s firm support for the growth of ASEAN, as well as our long-standing policy of cultivating friendly ties with neighboring countries.

The Treaty is rooted in Asia’s history and culture. It embodies the Asian way of consensus-building, non-interference in others’ internal affairs, and accommodation of each party’s comfort level, and provides important guidelines for the relations between countries in the region. Over the past 20 years, China and ASEAN have, in the spirit of the Treaty, expanded mutually beneficial cooperation on all fronts. We have pursued the right path of long-standing good-neighborliness and friendship and common development and prosperity. This has also galvanized the accession of other countries to the Treaty. ASEAN’s dialogue partners have kept increasing and the group has been gaining in international stature and influence. That has helped East Asia become the fastest-growing economy in the world with fast-rising living standards.

In the face of complex and fluid dynamics in the region and beyond, the adoption of the Joint Statement helps promote the purposes and principles of the Treaty and carry forward the Asian way and wisdom and contributes to practicing true multilateralism and upholding the rules and order in the region.

AFP: US climate envoy John Kerry had a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Xie Zhenhua this morning in Beijing. Does the foreign ministry have any details on the content or outcomes of this meeting?

Mao Ning: Climate change is a common challenge facing humanity. As agreed by China and the US, US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry will visit China from July 16 to 19. The Chinese side will act in the spirit of the meeting between the two heads of state in Bali, have in-depth exchange of views with the US side on issues related to climate change, and work with the US to meet challenges and enhance the well-being of people in the world and the generations to come. 

As for the details of the visit, we will release information in due course. I would also refer you to the competent authorities.

Reuters: William Lai from Taiwan is reportedly making a stopover in the US en route to Paraguay next month. Does the ministry have any comment on this?

Mao Ning: China firmly opposes any form of official interaction between the US and the Taiwan region, firmly opposes any visit by “Taiwan independence” separatists to the US in any name or under whatever pretext, and firmly opposes the US’s conniving with and supporting the “Taiwan independence” separatists and their separatist activities in any form. We have lodged serious representations with the US side.

The Taiwan question is the very core of China’s core interests and the first red line that must not be crossed in the China-US relations. We urge the US to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiqués, act on its leaders’ commitment including not supporting “Taiwan independence”, stop official interaction with Taiwan, stop upgrading its substantive exchanges with the region, and stop sending any wrong signal to the “Taiwan independence” separatist forces. China will closely follow the situation and take resolute and strong measures to safeguard our sovereignty and territorial integrity.

TASS: The Black Sea grain deal will expire today. Russia is yet to announce its final decision on the deal. Meanwhile, Russia has repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with how the Russia-part of the deal is being implemented. What is your comment?

Mao Ning: China hopes that the deal will continue to be implemented in a balanced, full and effective manner. China put forward the cooperation initiative on global food security, and would like to have more communication and cooperation with parties on this to help build more international consensus and contribute to global food security.

AFP: New Zealand’s prime minister said today that his country is concerned about a worsening strategic environment and rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific region, in particular, in places like the South China Sea and Taiwan strait. He said “we look to China to play its part to manage tensions.” Does the Chinese foreign ministry have any comment？

Mao Ning: China is a member of the Asia-Pacific. We have always worked with other countries in the region to practice true multilateralism and safeguard peace and stability in the region. We would like to enhance dialogue and exchanges on the basis of mutual respect with New Zealand and other countries, and jointly play our part to uphold stability and prosperity in the region.

The Taiwan question is China’s internal affair. To ensure peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, the most important and crucial thing is to uphold the one-China principle. The South China Sea has been generally stable. We hope relevant countries will respect regional countries’ effort to uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea.

The New York Times: The National Bureau of Statistics said this morning that the Chinese economy had slowed down considerably in the second quarter compared to the first quarter. We’ve also seen China reaching out to countries like the US and European countries inviting more of their leaders to visit. Have economic difficulties become a constraint on China’s foreign policy? 

Mao Ning: The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) briefed this morning on China’s economic performance in the first half of this year, which is somewhat different from what I heard in your question. During the first half of this year, China’s economy showed sound momentum of recovery with the GDP up by 5.5 percent year-on-year, or one percentage point higher than that of the first quarter. The fundamentals sustaining China’s sound economic growth in the long run have not changed. The economy’s remarkable resilience, potential and vitality have not changed and the conditions underpinning high-quality development have not changed. As factors conductive to China’s development increase, the economy is expected to continue to recover.

China carries out friendly cooperation with countries on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit. This has not changed either. On China-US relations, we view and develop our relations with the US by following the principle of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation. We also hope the US will work with China and bring bilateral relations back to the track of healthy and stable growth.

AFP: Russian officials and state media said today that traffic along a bridge has been halted following an emergency. This bridge connects Crimea and serves as a vital link for transporting supplies to Russian soldiers. Has the Chinese foreign ministry seen these reports and does it have any response?

Mao Ning: We’ve noted the reports.