China Daily: China exported 4.91 million automobiles last year (excluding second-hand cars), making it the world’s largest automobile exporter for the first time. According to the statistics recently released by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, in January, China exported 443,000 automobiles, up by 47.4 percent year on year, maintaining the momentum of rapid growth. We also noticed that the US is considering restricting imports of Chinese smart cars and related components by non-tariff means. The EU has launched an anti-subsidy investigation into the imports of electric cars from China. What’s your comment?

Mao Ning: The numbers you mentioned reflect the high-quality development and strong innovation of China’s manufacturing industry.

Division of labor and mutually beneficial collaboration are distinctive features of the auto industrial chain. The leapfrog development of China’s auto industry has provided cost-effective products with high quality to the world. Every one in three exported automobiles from China is an electric car, which contributes significantly to the world’s green and low-carbon transition.

You mentioned the trade protectionist measures taken by relevant countries against China, just as Minister Wang Yi pointed out, to turn normal trade activities into security and ideological issues, build “small yards with high fences” in the name of “de-risking”, and attempt to “trip others up” instead of “running faster” may seem like a win, but is actually a loss of one’s own long-term development and has encumbered the progress and prosperity of the world.

China believes in solidarity, cooperation and openness rather than division, confrontation and isolation. We believe it’s important to accommodate the interests of others while pursuing one’s own, work for common development while seeking one’s own development, create a world-class, market-oriented and law-based environment for global economic and trade cooperation, and make economic globalization more inclusive and beneficial to all.

CCTV: Foreign Minister Wang Yi is visiting Spain. King Felipe VI and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez met with him respectively. Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation José Manuel Albares Bueno held talks and jointly met the press. This is Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s first visit after the Chinese New Year. What major outcomes has this visit achieved, and what role has it played in the development of the China-Spain relations?

Mao Ning: China and Spain are comprehensive strategic partners. Last year, the two countries marked the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez paid a successful visit to China. While meeting with Prime Minister Sánchez, President Xi Jinping proposed that the two countries advance a bilateral relationship with strategic focus. The two sides identified the good experience that has enabled the long-standing friendship between the two countries, which is a commitment to mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, and made plans together for the growth of bilateral relations. Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to Spain is his second visit to the country in six years. It is aimed to deliver the important common understandings between the leaders of the two countries and get the second 50 years of China-Spain diplomatic relations off to a good start. Spain received Foreign Minister Wang with great hospitality. The visit achieved its objectives and has been a full success.

The visit accentuated the strategic stability of China-Spain relations. No matter how the international situation changes, China and Spain have followed the tradition of mutual respect, mutual trust, equality and win-win cooperation, advanced bilateral relations with a steadfast policy of friendship, and supported each other on issues of core interests and major concerns. Having friendly relations with China is a consensus in Spain supported by the royal family, the government and the people. The two sides agreed to continue the momentum of high-level exchanges, cultivate friendship between Chinese and Spanish peoples, and give each other understanding and support on efforts to safeguard national unity and solidarity among ethnic groups. Spain reiterated its firm adherence to the one-China policy.

The visit highlighted the bright prospects for open cooperation. China and Spain have deepened economic and trade cooperation in recent years. China has become Spain’s largest trading partner outside the EU and the second largest consumer of its olive oil. Spain is China’s second largest source of imported pork. Chinese companies have actively participated in photovoltaic and wind power development in Spain, and expanded third-party market cooperation. During the visit, the two sides reiterated that they will adhere to open cooperation and promote a number of landmark and demonstrative projects in telecommunications, medical care, electric vehicles and green energy.

The visit served to deepen exchanges and mutual learning between the two civilizations. Both China and Spain are ancient civilizations with a time-honored history. Last year, the two sides launched the China-Spain Year of Culture and Tourism, which gave fresh boost to exchanges and mutual learning between the two civilizations. The two sides have been engaged in giant panda cooperation for more than 40 years. The giant pandas living in Spain have bred six cubs in recent years, more than anywhere else in Europe. Giant panda cooperation epitomizes the China-Spain and China-Europe friendship. The Spanish people warmly welcomed and expressed appreciation for China’s announcement that it will send a new pair of young pandas to Spain after the return of the panda family currently living in Spain whose agreement has expired.

The visit provides stability for China-Europe relations and the world. Spain is a major EU country. China and Spain share the same or similar views on major international and regional issues. Spain stressed that good relations with China are of great significance to Spain, Europe and the world, and spoke highly of President Xi Jinping’s important ideas such as building a community with a shared future for mankind and the Belt and Road Initiative. The two sides reiterated that they will work together to meet global challenges, promote the sound and stable development of China-Europe relations through China-Spain friendship, and provide a stronger force of stability for a volatile and turbulent world.

AFP: Taiwanese authorities called on Beijing to be rational following the incident that involved the Chinese boat and Taiwanese coast guard. Taiwan also said that it will insist to protect its waters. Do you have any comment on this?

Mao Ning: This is not a matter related to foreign affairs. I’d refer you to competent authorities.

TASS: CNBC reported that the US is considering slapping sanctions on Chinese companies for working with Russia. What is China’s comment on this?

Mao Ning: We follow an objective and impartial position on the Ukraine crisis, and have worked actively to promote peace talks. We have not sat idly by, still less exploited the situation for selfish gains.

China has the right to carry out normal cooperation with countries. We always oppose unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction that lack basis in international law or UN Security Council mandate. China will continue to do what is necessary to firmly safeguard the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies.

AFP: The Brazilian presidency said that Minister Wang Yi won’t attend the G20 meeting in Rio this week. What’s the reason and who will be China’s representative for this meeting?

Mao Ning: China values the role played by the G20. We will send a delegation to the upcoming G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. Detailed information will be released in due course. We hope that the meeting will help the G20 further build consensus and enhance solidarity and cooperation.