AFP: According to reports, Pakistan conducted strikes today inside Iran. Is China aware of that? And are you in contact with both parties on this issue? Some reports are saying that China is mediating between Iran and Pakistan.

Mao Ning: We are following closely the developments of the situation. China always believes that relations between countries should be handled in accordance with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law and that countries’ sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity should be respected and safeguarded. Iran and Pakistan are close neighbors and countries who have influence and keep friendly relations with China. China sincerely hopes that the two sides will remain calm and restraint and avoid escalation of the tension. If there is need from the two sides, we would like to play a constructive role in cooling down the situation.

China News Service: China’s National Bureau of Statistics announced yesterday that China’s GDP reached a 5.2 percent year-on-year growth in 2023. We noted that many media outlets said it meets or goes beyond market expectation. What does China’s steady economic growth mean to the world?  

Mao Ning: Yesterday, the National Bureau of Statistics published statistics about China’s national economic performance in 2023. The most talked about is that the 5.2 percent year-on-year growth rate of GDP is higher than the target set at the beginning of last year. It fully shows that China’s economy picks up and high-quality development makes solid progress. It means at least three benefits to the world.

First, providing the driving force for the global economy. China’s economic growth generates over RMB 6 trillion, equivalent to the annual GDP of a medium-sized country. The report of the International Financial Forum demonstrates that China contributes 32 percent to the global economic growth in 2023 and is the largest engine of the world economy.

Second, bringing stability to the global economy. China’s economy has had a steady growth, and sound and solid fundamentals over the years. In the face of an anemic global economy, China has stable domestic demand, low inflation, increasing imports and exports against the global trend, and has topped the world in manufacturing value added for 14 years in a row. It is an anchor for the world economy.

Third, China will share new opportunities with all countries in the world.  In China, there are now over 400 million people in the middle-income bracket, and the number is expected to reach 800 million in the next decade or so. This will play an important role in boosting aggregate global demand. China is the major trading partner for over 140 countries and regions, with overall tariff level cut to 7.3 percent, relatively on par with the developed members of the WTO. In the past five years, the return on FDI in China stands at around 9 percent, which is quite competitive globally. The market of China has become a big market shared by the whole world.

We are confident that China’s continued high-quality growth and the continued progress of Chinese modernization will bring more benefits to the world and contribute more driving forces for global growth.

Reuters: The Philippine Defense Secretary on Wednesday accused the Chinese Foreign Ministry of insulting President Marcos Jr. during a news briefing earlier this week, stooping to what he called “low talk.” What’s your response?

Mao Ning: The Taiwan question is at the core of China’s core interests and concerns the sentiment of the 1.4 billion Chinese people. The remarks of the Philippine side seriously violate the one-China principle and the joint communiqué of establishing diplomatic ties between China and the Philippines, seriously go against the Philippines’ political commitment to China, and blatantly interfere in China’s internal affairs. It is completely legitimate and necessary for China to state our solemn position. The one-China principle is a red line and bottom line. China will never accept anyone making provocations on the Taiwan question and will resolutely fight back.

We urge the Philippines to earnestly uphold the spirit of the joint communiqué of establishing diplomatic ties between China and the Philippines, adhere to the one-China principle, and stop wrong words and deeds on issues relating to Taiwan.

Bloomberg: In an interview with Bloomberg News, the Philippine Defense Secretary said his country will expand military cooperation with the US and other security partners in order to prepare for more resource exploration in the South China Sea. He also said the Philippines will not allow joint exploration in its claimed maritime territory with any parties that do not recognize those claims. Does the Foreign Ministry have any comment?

Mao Ning: China clearly stated its position and proposition on the South China Sea issue in the Statement of the Government of the People’s Republic of China on China’s Territorial Sovereignty and Maritime Rights and Interests in the South China Sea issued on July 12, 2016. On maritime disputes, we always uphold peaceful settlement through negotiation and consultation, and managing disputes through making rules and setting up mechanisms. Before disputes are settled, resource exploration and extraction needs to be conducted through joint development.

I want to reiterate that the Philippines’ development of alliance and military cooperation with relevant countries should not undermine China’s lawful rights and interests in the South China Sea.

Nippon Television: Foreign Minister of North Korea has visited Russia and met the President of Russia. What is your comment for the recent close ties of these two countries? And will China hold a high-level dialogue with North Korea?

Mao Ning: On your first question, it’s the bilateral exchange between Russia and the DPRK. On your second question, I have nothing to offer.

Associated Press of Pakistan: Iran carried out drone and missile strikes inside Pakistani territory two days ago, arguing that these actions are targeted against Iranian terrorist group. Does China consider these so-called counterterrorism actions a violation of the UN Charter and international law?

Mao Ning: I just introduced China’s position on relevant issues. China stands for handling the relations between countries based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law, and respecting and protecting all countries’ sovereign independence and territorial integrity. China sincerely hopes that Pakistan and Iran will exercise calm and restraint and avoid escalation of tensions. China hopes and believes the two sides will resolve disagreements through dialogue and consultation.