At the invitation of Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council Ding Xuexiang, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry of the Republic of Singapore Gan Kim Yong will be in China from December 15 to 16, and co-chair with Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang in Chongqing the 21st meeting of the China-Singapore Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation, the 26th meeting of the China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park Joint Steering Council, the 17th meeting of the China-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City Joint Steering Council, and the ninth meeting of the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity Joint Steering Council.

China News Service: The World Bank, the IMF and the Asian Development Bank recently have revised up China's growth forecast for 2025 by 0.4, 0.2 and 0.1 percentage points respectively. Several institutions have noted that China's economy has demonstrated notable resilience despite the impact it faces. Foreign media have compared China to an "oasis of certainty" in an uncertain global environment. What is your comment?

Guo Jiakun: Optimism for China's economy has increasingly become a prevailing consensus among various parties. Heads of international economic organizations attending the "1+10" Dialogue in China said that China's economy has sustained steady and sound growth over the past year, making major contribution to global growth. The upgrade of China's growth forecast by several international institutions once again demonstrates the growing confidence in China.

The Central Economic Work Conference was just successfully concluded. The conference identified eight priority tasks for next year's work on economy, including letting domestic demand serve as the main driver of growth, building a robust domestic market, staying committed to opening up, and promoting win-win cooperation in various areas. This has charted the course for China's economic development, and provided the prospects for steady growth, momentum of innovation, and a list of opportunities for the world economy. As China will launch its 15th Five-Year Plan next year, it will continue to unleash the benefit of policy continuity, economic stability and growth predictability, providing much-needed certainty for the world.

China's new-quality productive forces will enjoy thriving development. Products made in China will be of higher standard, more intelligent and greener. China's innovation momentum will drive global innovation cooperation, lower the cost of new technologies and promote sustainable development.

China will further advance high-standard opening up. We will steadily expand institutional opening up, uphold the multilateral trading system, and promote reform and development through opening up. China's door will open wider to the world.

In an uncertain world, China is the biggest certainty, and will continue to serve as an important engine for global growth. We welcome countries to board on China's development express, share in China's big market and, with deeper integration of interests, achieve mutual success and common development. 

Shenzhen TV: We've learned that the APEC Informal Senior Officials' Meeting was held in Shenzhen recently. Can you share more information about the meeting and its outcomes?

Guo Jiakun: The APEC Informal Senior Officials' Meeting was held in Shenzhen from December 11 to 12. This event-the first China held as the host of the 2026 APEC-marks the opening of the APEC "China Year." Deputy Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu attended and addressed the meeting. Positive outcomes were achieved at the meeting.

First, the meeting agreed on the theme for next year's APEC cooperation. At the APEC meeting in Gyeongju, the ROK, President Xi Jinping noted that China stands ready to take the opportunity of hosting the 2026 APEC to bring all parties together to build an Asia-Pacific community, charting the course and providing fundamental guidance for China to host the APEC in 2026. The theme China proposed, "Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together," was highly commended by various parties and adopted unanimously at the meeting.

Second, the meeting planned for priorities for next year's cooperation. In the face of new opportunities and new challenges to the development of the Asia-Pacific, China identified "openness, innovation and cooperation" as the three priorities for next year's APEC cooperation. Openness is the lifeline for Asia-Pacific's prosperity, innovation is its source of impetus and cooperation its supporting basis. The three priorities meet the aspirations of various parties and represent the most extensive common ground for parties' participation in APEC, and thus were supported by participating parties of the meeting.

Third, the meeting finalized arrangement for the whole year's events. There will be around 300 events to be hosted by multiple cities around China during the APEC "China Year." From November 18 to 19 next year, the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting will be held in Shenzhen, and there will also be supporting events, including the APEC CEO Summit and the APEC Ministerial Meeting. In February, May and August next year, three senior officials' meetings will be held in Guangzhou, Shanghai and Dalian respectively. Starting from May next year, about ten ministerial-level meetings and high-level events will be held in various places, covering areas of trade, digital economy, transport, tourism, human resources, small and medium-sized enterprises, energy, food security, finance and women. Various parties have expressed their support for the arrangement for the whole year's events and their readiness to work for fruitful outcomes at the events.

Visiting activities were arranged during the meeting. Representatives to the meeting expressed their admiration for the modernization achievements in Shenzhen and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Reuters: Reuters understands that India has cut red tape to speed business visas for Chinese professionals. Does the Foreign Ministry have any comment?

Guo Jiakun: We've noted this positive move. Easing cross-border travel serves the common interests of all parties. China will maintain communication and consultation with India to further facilitate people-to-people exchange.

Beijing Youth Daily: Tomorrow marks the 12th National Memorial Day for Nanjing Massacre Victims. On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and amid the current tensions between China and Japan caused by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's erroneous remarks on Taiwan, how will China commemorate the day?

Guo Jiakun: This year marks the 88th anniversary of the Nanjing Massacre. In accordance with the decision ratified by the National People's Congress, China will host the annual national memorial commemoration for the victims of the Nanjing Massacre to honor those who lost their lives.

The massacre in Nanjing is a horrendous crime committed by Japanese militarists. There is no room for denial. The slaughter of 300,000 Chinese people forms the darkest page in human history. Japanese militarists' war of aggression against China and other Asian countries under the pretext of the so-called "survival-threatening situation" and untold crimes against humanity are nothing but a disgrace in the history of human civilization.

International legal instruments, including the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation, clearly stated the opposition against aggression, the punishment of war criminals and elimination of militarism. The International Military Tribunal for the Far East was established by the Allied Nations for the trial of Japanese war criminals. However, the Japanese government has long abetted the right-wing forces' retrogressive moves. Several prime ministers and political dignitaries have paid tribute to the Yasukuni Shrine where class-A war criminals are honored. Some politicians have publicly called into question the Murayama Statement which showed reflection on and apologies for Japan's colonial rule and aggression. The Japanese side even attempted to whitewash its war crimes and change the verdict on its history of aggression by revising textbooks more than once. Those egregious moves constitute a blatant challenge to the post-war international order and an affront to human conscience. This triggered strong indignation and vigilance in the international community.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War as well as China's recovery of Taiwan. Eighty years ago, the Chinese people, after heroic and strenuous fighting, defeated Japanese militarism, recovered the territories, including Taiwan, stolen by Japanese aggressors, defended national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and upheld international fairness and justice. Eighty years on, the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is unstoppable. China will never allow Japan's right-wing forces to turn back the wheel of history, never allow external forces to lay their hands on China's Taiwan region, and never allow the resurgence of Japan's militarism. Japanese militarism is the enemy of people worldwide. China will work with all peace-loving countries and people to jointly safeguard the outcomes of World War II victory and the post-war international order. We urge the Japanese side to deeply reflect on and learn from history, make a clean break with militarism, and take concrete actions to get rid of the specter of militarism that still haunts it.

CCTV: The Japanese government has been recently refusing to explicitly reiterate Taiwan-related statement set forth in the four political documents between China and Japan and kept dodging the issue by repeating that its position "remains unchanged." At the same time, the DPP authorities echoed Japan's erroneous remarks and deeds by lifting import restrictions on Japanese seafood and sending groups to visit Japan to show support. We noted that many Chinese people including those from various sectors in the Taiwan region believe that given the innumerable war crimes committed by the Japanese military in Taiwan, the Japanese government's evasion of history is unacceptable and the DPP authorities' political manipulation is just invincibly shameless. What's your comment?

Guo Jiakun: Over the 50-year occupation and colonial rule, Japan has committed innumerable crimes in Taiwan. Hundreds of thousands of our Taiwan compatriots were murdered by the Japanese military, accounting for about one-fifth of the population at that time. Under Japan's massive economic plundering and spiritual enslavement, 70 percent of Taiwan's land was occupied, and natural resources including coal and gold mines were destructively exploited. Over half of the rice produced in Taiwan was shipped to Japan, while the local people were starved to death. Many Taiwanese were used as forced laborers, among whom 40 percent died. Around 200,000 young Taiwanese were forced to serve in the Japanese military and tens of thousands of them died as the "cannon fodder" of Japanese militarism. More than 2,000 Taiwanese girls and women were forced to become "comfort women." The Taiwanese, who were slaves living on a conquered island, had no political rights, freedom of belief or cultural freedom.

The DPP authorities have turned a blind eye to the countless tragedies and evidence, and instead blatantly glossed over Japan's colonial rule by using the term "end of the war" to fudge historical facts and avoid mentioning "the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression" or "Taiwan's recovery." The DPP authorities have whitewashed Japan's colonial rule and oppression on Taiwan as "development" and "contribution," turning its back on the Chinese nation, selling Taiwan out to ingratiate with Japan, and serving as the accomplices and pawns of Japanese militarism.

As we mark the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, the Japanese leader once again cited "survival-threatening situation" regarding the Taiwan question. It amounts to a challenge to human conscience and international justice, and has undoubtedly met with strong outrage from the Chinese people and the international community. What awaits the "Taiwan independence" separatists who have betrayed their ancestors is contempt from the people and the judgement of history.

AFP: A Hong Kong court announced today that there will be a verdict on Jimmy Lai's case on Monday. In response, the Reporters Without Borders, an NGO, criticized "the short notice announcement" and also called the trial a "sham." Does the Foreign Ministry have any response to this?

Guo Jiakun: The fundamental premise of One Country, Two Systems is to safeguard sovereignty, security and development interests of our nation. The Central Government firmly supports the Hong Kong SAR in upholding national security in accordance with the law and bringing criminals who endanger national security to justice. 

The Paper: After assuming the G20 presidency this month, the U.S. publicly said they will not invite South Africa to participate in the G20 Summit next year as well as cooperation within the G20 framework. What's China's comment?

Guo Jiakun: Last month, South Africa hosted the G20 Summit in Johannesburg. It's a full success highly commended by the international community. The G20 has long been committed to solidarity, cooperation and equal-footed consultation. As a founding member of the G20, South Africa attended all the previous summits and has all along played an important role in the group. China supports South Africa in continuing to participate in G20 cooperation. We look forward to working with South Africa and all other G20 members to defend multilateralism, promote world economic growth and improve global economic governance.

CRI: The U.S. military seized a tanker in waters near Venezuela who was transporting the country's oil. The U.S. Treasury announced sanctions on six tankers, including a Hong Kong-flagged vessel. What's China's comment?

Guo Jiakun: China opposes unilateral illicit sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction that have no basis in international law or authorization of the UN Security Council, and the abuse of sanctions.

AFP: Yesterday, the U.S. signed an agreement with Japan, South Korea, Australia and others on securing supply chains of rare earths to ensure that countries are not dependent on China for developing AI technologies. Does the Foreign Ministry have any comment on this pact?

Guo Jiakun: We noted the report. Parties need to follow the principles of market economy and fair competition, and jointly keep the global industrial and supply chain stable.

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The following question was raised after the press conference: Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi spoke with the U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth over the phone. Both sides expressed "serious concern" over the "radar illumination" incident, saying that China's actions "increase regional tensions." What is China's response?

Guo Jiakun: We've responded to this issue more than once. The facts are very clear. The Japanese side's wishful, contradictory and self-deceiving remarks lay bare its real intention of creating tensions and spreading disinformation. We urge the Japanese side to face up to the crux of the current difficulties in China-Japan relations, earnestly reflect on and correct its wrongdoing, and retract Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's erroneous remarks on Taiwan, rather than diverting attention and creating more troubles.

We hope the international community will tell right from wrong and not be deceived by the Japanese side. Japan's allies, in particular, need to see clearly the Japanese side's intentions and avoid being misled by it.