At the invitation of Premier Li Qiang of the State Council, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Belgium Alexander De Croo will pay an official visit to China from January 11 to 12.

CCTV: The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)’s Constitutional Court announced the final result of the presidential election. Incumbent President Félix Tshisekedi won 73.47 percent of votes for a second term. What’s China’s comment and expectation for the future development of China-DRC relations?

Mao Ning: China noted the final presidential election results announced by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)’s Constitutional Court. We respect the choice made by the people in the DRC and congratulate President Félix Tshisekedi on his re-election. We believe that under the leadership of President Tshisekedi, the DRC is headed toward greater achievement in national development and revitalization.

China and the DRC are comprehensive strategic cooperative partners. China highly values its relations with the DRC and stands ready to work with the DRC to carry forward our traditional friendship and deepen exchanges and cooperation in Belt and Road cooperation and under the FOCAC framework to deliver more benefits for the two peoples.

AFP: China successfully launched the Einstein probe satellite and sent it into orbit yesterday. And that launch appeared to trigger Taiwan authorities to issue an emergency alert, which caused quite a lot of concerns among the public in Taiwan. Did the Chinese side know in advance that the launch would trigger such an alert and was it a deliberate time to coincide with the last few days of Taiwan election campaign?

Mao Ning: It’s not related to China’s foreign affairs. It is pretty clear what the DPP authorities is trying to do by misleading the public and sowing panic.

NHK: Forty-seven countries released a joint statement on Tuesday by saying Russia launched North Korean ballistic missiles at Ukraine. The statement called on Russia and North Korea to immediately cease all activities that violate the UN Security Council resolutions. So what’s your take on this statement? And is there any intention for China to join the statement as a permanent member of the UN Security Council?

Mao Ning: On the Ukraine crisis, China’s position has been consistent. We believe that dialogue and negotiation is the only viable way out of the crisis and hope parties will reach a ceasefire soon and jointly deescalate the situation.

Hubei Media Group: The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) has been in force for two years. Can you share with us what it has achieved and China’s role in it?

Mao Ning: The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is a milestone in the integration of the Asia-Pacific and a vivid demonstration of regional countries sharing development opportunities. Since it entered into force two years ago, RCEP has greatly lowered the regional trade costs, strengthened industrial and supply chains and brought tangible benefits to its members. 

As the largest economy in RCEP, China is committed to development through openness, and the high-quality implementation of RCEP. China is the first non-ASEAN member to ratify RCEP. We have made every effort to deliver on the commitments on market access and ease tariffs, contributing our part to regional trade and investment and economic growth. RCEP members’ goods have entered China with lower trade costs and more convenient customs clearance. In the first 11 months of 2023, China imported from Thailand, Viet Nam and other RCEP members fresh durians worth RMB 46,61 billion, 1.7 times the amount for the entire year of 2021.

We stand ready to work with all parties for all-round and high-quality implementation of RCEP to enable the world’s largest free trade area to unleash more benefits for common development and prosperity among its members.

AFP: I got a question about the situation in Ecuador. The Chinese Embassy there has said all its consular branches will suspend services to the public. I’m wondering have any Chinese nationals been affected by the situation in Ecuador and other consular authorities providing any further assistance to Chinese nationals there or planning any evacuations?

Mao Ning: With instructions from the Foreign Ministry, our Embassy and Consulate in Ecuador immediately activated the emergency consular protection mechanism. We are gathering information about the safety of Chinese nationals and institutions in Ecuador and we have reminded them through various channels to take safety precautions. So far, no Chinese deaths or injuries have been reported in Ecuador.

The Foreign Ministry and our Embassy and Consulate in Ecuador will continue to closely follow the developments on the ground and provide timely consular protection and assistance to Chinese nationals.

Antara News: The International Court of Justice (ICG) will hold its first hearing in South Africa genocide case against Israel tomorrow. Will China, as one of the member of UN Security Council, support South Africa’s case in ICG?

Mao Ning: We noted the case. China is saddened by the heavy civilian casualties caused by the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict. We oppose any action that violates the international law and urge parties to the conflict to earnestly implement relevant resolutions adopted by the UN Security Council and General Assembly, reach an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire and stop the collective punishment against the people of Gaza.

AFP: The Non-Aligned Movement Summit and the G77 Summit are due to be held in Uganda next week. And I’m wondering if the Chinese side is able to provide any details about whether any top leaders will attend those two summits?

Mao Ning: We’ll release information in due course. Please check back for updates.

Reuters: Has Ghana’s official creditor committee reached an agreement on a proposal to restructure Ghana debt to them? And if so, does China expect Ghana to agree to the deal and when?

Mao Ning: As the co-chair of the Creditor Committee for Ghana under the Common Framework for Debt Treatments beyond the DSSI, China has, since the establishment of the Creditor Committee, played an active coordinating role and worked constructively to facilitate the proper settlement of Ghana’s debt issue. China will continue to play its leading and coordinating role as the chair and work with Ghana and all the other parties to reach a restructuring plan that is in line with the principle of joint actions and fair burden-sharing so that Ghana’s debt issue will be successfully resolved.

The Paper: As violence and crimes are on the rise in Ecuador, President Daniel Noboa declared “a state of emergency”, “internal armed conflict” and other measures. The country is striving to resume social order, democracy and the rule of law as soon as possible. What’s China’s comment?

Mao Ning: China supports the government of Ecuador in maintaining social stability and hopes that the country will restore order as soon as possible. We also hope that Ecuador will earnestly ensure the safety of Chinese people and institutions in Ecuador.

Reuters: Taiwan’s de facto “Ambassador to the United States” has met with the US House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson on Tuesday. Does China have any comment on this meeting?

Mao Ning: There is only one China in the world. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. China firmly opposes the US having any form of official contact with the Taiwan region. The US needs to earnestly abide by the one-China principle and stipulations of the three China-US joint communiqués, prudently and properly handle Taiwan-related issues, stop official contact with the Taiwan region, stop sending wrong signals to “Taiwan independence” separatist forces and refrain from interfering in elections in the Taiwan region in any form. The DPP authorities’ attempt to solicit support from the US and other countries for “Taiwan independence” will not succeed.