Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning’s Regular Press Conference on January 23, 2025

Global Times: It's reported that Chinese research institutions have completed the tests and analysis of the first independent sampling of the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water discharged into the sea. Could you share more details with us?

Mao Ning: To ensure independent sampling and monitoring by China and other stakeholders is one of the commitments made by Japan on the issue of the discharge of the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water into the sea. We learned from relevant authorities that Chinese research institutions have completed the tests and analysis of China's first independent sampling. No abnormality was seen in the activity concentration of tritium, caesium-137 and strontium-90.

Global Times: Does the test result prove the safety of the discharge of the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water into the sea?

Mao Ning:The discharge of the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water concerns the world's common interest. Japan's unilateral action taken in spite of concerns of neighboring countries and the international community lacks legitimacy and rationality. China's firm opposition to Japan's discharge of Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water into the sea remains unchanged. In the absence of any compulsory international mechanism to stop the discharge, independent sampling by stakeholder countries on a continuous basis as a method of monitoring is an effective way to control the risks that come with the discharge.

Meanwhile, we noted that professional agencies pointed out that one single test provides limited reference. China will continue to work with the international community to urge Japan to fulfill its commitments, put the discharge under strict international oversight and continue the independent sampling and monitoring of the water.

AFP: The new US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had a call yesterday with his Philippines counterpart Enrique Manalo. A State Department spokesperson said that Rubio underscored the United States' ironclad commitments to the Philippines under the countries' mutual defense treaty and that the two also discussed Beijing's "dangerous and destabilizing actions in the South China Sea." Does the Foreign Ministry have a reaction to this call?

Mao Ning: China's activities in relevant waters are legitimate, lawful, and fully justified. The US is not a party to the South China Sea issue and has no right to interfere in the maritime issues between China and the Philippines. The military cooperation between the US and the Philippines should not undermine China's sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, still less should such cooperation support or advance the Philippines' illegal claims. China will continue to take necessary steps to firmly safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests and uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea.

Beijing Daily: The White House said a few days ago that the US will withdraw from the Paris Agreement on climate change. Comments say that this will cast a cloud over the global effort of climate response and green transition. What is your view on this?

Mao Ning: China regrets the US announcement of withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. Climate change is a common challenge facing all humanity. No country can opt out or stay unaffected.

As Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang pointed out in his special address at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025, we must follow a consistent approach in addressing climate change. The fundamental solution to climate change is green transition. China is accelerating green and low-carbon transition across the board and taking concrete actions to peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. China has built the world's largest and most complete new energy industrial chain. 70 percent of the photovoltaic components and 60 percent of wind power equipment worldwide come from China. These high-quality production capacity has served as a strong boost to global green development and climate response.

No matter how the international landscape may evolve, China's determination and action for proactive climate response will not change, and we will continue working with all parties to build a fair and equitable global climate governance system for win-win cooperation and advance global green and low-carbon transition and sustainable development.

AFP: I'd like to follow up on a question yesterday about a Chinese mine worker who had reportedly been killed in Afghanistan's northern Takhar province. Since then, the Islamic State's regional chapter has claimed responsibility for the attack, according a monitoring group called "site." This monitoring group said that "IS issued a communiqué reporting that fighters fired at a vehicle containing a Chinese." Does the Foreign Ministry have further information today or comments on this incident?

Mao Ning: China is deeply shocked at the attack and strongly condemns it. We express our condolences over the lives lost. China has lodged serious protests to Afghanistan right after the attack, and asked the country to conduct thorough investigations into the attack, and bring the perpetrators to justice.

China firmly opposes all forms of terrorism and calls for resolute and strong efforts in cracking down on ISIS, the ETIM and other terrorist organizations designated by the UN Security Council with zero tolerance. China will closely follow the security situation in Afghanistan and continue supporting Afghanistan in combating all forms of terrorism and violence, and upholding national security and stability. We urge the Afghan interim government to take resolute and effective measures to ensure the safety and security of Chinese citizens, institutions and projects in Afghanistan.

Kyodo News: A people's court in Suzhou today handed down a ruling on the case of attack against a Japanese woman and her child last June, and the Chinese defendant was sentenced to death. What is China's comment?

Mao Ning: From what I have gathered, the case is in judicial process and China's judicial authorities will handle the case in accordance with law. China will, as always, act to protect the safety of foreign nationals in China.

Bloomberg: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has had a series of calls, mainly from US allies so far, part of his outreach to a growing list of countries including Japan, Australia, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, UAE and the Quad. We're wondering, does China's Foreign Minister plan to speak with Mr. Rubio and can such a call take place given that Mr. Rubio has been sanctioned twice by China?

Mao Ning: I have no information to share on your question. Let me say more broadly that it's necessary for high-level Chinese and U.S. officials to engage each other in appropriate ways. In the meantime, China will firmly defend its national interests.

CCTV: A follow-up on the test result of the discharge of the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water. Does a normal test result mean that China will resume imports of Japanese aquatic products?

Mao Ning: The Chinese government always puts people first and firmly safeguards the food safety of our people. On the issue of resuming imports of Japanese aquatic products, China always follows a science-based approach. The first independent sampling and testing is just one of the steps for Japan to implement its commitments on the discharge issue. The resumption of Japanese aquatic products depends on results from a series of data including those from China's continuous independent sampling and monitoring and whether Japan will take concrete measures to effectively guarantee the quality and safety of exported aquatic products to China.

Reuters: According to a Reuters report today, the US deployed its Typhon missile launchers to a new location in the Philippines. A senior Philippine government source said that their redeployment would help determine where and how fast the missile battery could be moved to a new firing position. I just wanted to ask for any comments on the report.

Mao Ning: On the US deployment of Mid-Range Capability missile system in the Philippines, China has made clear its opposition more than once. Let me stress again that by bringing this strategic offensive weapon into this part of the world, the Philippines is essentially creating tensions and antagonism in the region and inciting geopolitical confrontation and an arms race. This is a highly dangerous move and an extremely irresponsible choice for its own people, the people of the other Southeast Asian countries, and regional security.

We once again call on the Philippines to heed the call from regional countries and their peoples, correct the wrongdoing as soon as possible, quickly pull out the Typhon missile system as publicly pledged, and stop going further down the wrong path.

Reuters: The Financial Times reported on Wednesday that two Iranian cargo vessels carrying an ingredient for missile propellant will sail from China to Iran in the next few weeks, potentially subjecting the involved Chinese entities to US sanctions. I wanted to ask for a comment on that report.

Mao Ning: I am not familiar with what you mentioned. China strictly controls the export of dual-use articles in accordance with laws and regulations on export control and our international obligations. China opposes any illicit unilateral sanctions.

Reuters: More than half of the American businesses in China say they are concerned about a further deterioration in the bilateral relationship between the economies, according to a survey from the US Chamber of Commerce. That's the highest level in five years. Do you have any comment on that report? 

Mao Ning: This actually reflects how important it is to pursue a steady, sound and sustainable China-U.S. relationship. China always views and develops China-U.S. ties in line with the three principles put forth by President Xi Jinping, namely mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation. We also hope the U.S. will work with China and bring China-U.S. relations back onto the track of sound and steady development.

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