Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning’s Regular Press Conference on January 22, 2025

People's Daily: The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 is being held in Davos, Switzerland. The WEF is an important platform for discussions of global economic issues. Could you share with us China's propositions?

Mao Ning: Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council Ding Xuexiang delivered a special address at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting. He shared four observations: first, jointly promote a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization; second, jointly uphold and practice true multilateralism; third, jointly foster new drivers and strengths for global economic development; fourth, jointly tackle major global challenges such as climate change, food security and energy security.

Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang stressed that economic globalization is an inherent requirement for the development of productive forces, and an inevitable result of technological advancement. It is not a "you-lose-I-win" zero-sum game, but a universally beneficial process where all can benefit and win together. Protectionism leads nowhere. Trade war has no winners. It's important to tackle the development challenges with universal benefit, and pool strengths with inclusive cooperation, so as to usher in a new phase of economic globalization that is more dynamic, more inclusive and more sustainable. We need to find a win-win and all-win solution, one that is based on mutually beneficial cooperation, and not only make the pie of economic globalization bigger, but also distribute it better.

Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang gave an overview of China's economy. He shared three major trends that characterize the Chinese economy: first, high-quality development is making solid progress; second, green and low-carbon transition is accelerating across the board; third, reform and opening up is moving up to a higher level. China will further intensify macro policies, continue high-quality development, effectively pursue higher-quality economic growth and appropriately increase economic output, and inject strong and sustained impetus to global economic development. 

China News Service: In a press release on January 17, the US Department of Treasury announced sanctions against relevant Chinese company and citizen that were involved with Salt Typhoon's cyberattack. What's China's response?

Mao Ning: China opposes the accusations made by the Biden administration without any convincing evidence and their abuse of sanctions against China. In fact, the US has conducted large-scale and systemic cyberattacks on China for years. We have made very clear our concerns and opposition on this for many times.

When it comes to cyber issues, China and the US are countries with big influence. The two sides share similar concerns on safeguarding cybersecurity, especially the security of key infrastructure. It's important for the two countries to follow the principle of equality and mutual respect, frankly discuss issues of respective concerns on the basis of fact and evidence, observe the same international rules, and jointly keep the cyberspace peaceful and stable. The US needs to stop abusing sanctions.

TASS: On Tuesday, President Donald Trump will levy tariff on Chinese exports to the US, with an expected start date of February 1. What is China's comment?

Mao Ning: We have made clear China's position on this issue multiple times. We believe that there's no winner in a trade or tariff war, and we firmly uphold our national interests.

Global Times: The Philippines' National Bureau of Investigation said they arrested a Chinese national and two Filipinos suspected of conducting espionage operations. Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief Romero Brawner Jr. said the Chinese spy was found near the US military bases in the Philippines, and Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said they would ensure an airtight case against the Chinese spy to uphold the Philippines' sovereignty and security. What's China's response?

Mao Ning: The Chinese government, as always, asks Chinese nationals overseas to abide by local laws and regulations. We hope the Philippines will stick to the fact, stop shadow-chasing, stop peddling the so-called "Chinese spy," and earnestly protect the lawful rights and interests of Chinese nationals in the Philippines.

Kyodo News: It was reported that foreign ministers of Japan and the US, as well as foreign ministers of Quad, met in Washington on January 21 to exchange views on issues including China's attempt to change the status quo in the East China Sea and the South China Sea. What is your comment on this?

Mao Ning: China believes that cooperation between countries should not target any third party. Engaging in group politics and bloc confrontation will not bring lasting peace and security, and is not conducive to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific and the world as a whole. China's activities in relevant waters are lawful, legitimate and completely justified. We hope that relevant parties will do more things that help enhance mutual trust and cooperation between countries.

The New York Times: Has China changed the Chinese name that it uses for Secretary of State Rubio? If so, does that have a bearing on whether or not he's covered by China's sanctions?

Mao Ning: I am not yet aware of what you mentioned. If you ask me, instead of how his name is translated in Chinese, it's his actual name in English that is more important. On the sanctions, I want to say that my colleague made clear China's position yesterday. What I can tell you is that China's sanctions are aimed at the words and actions that harm China's legitimate rights and interests.

AFP: The Thailand government today denied that it was planning to send 48 Uyghurs held in the country's detention centers back to China. These 48 people had fled China and were arrested in Thailand over a decade ago. Can the Foreign Ministry tell us if there are any plans with Thailand to receive these Uyghurs or give us any update?

Mao Ning: I'm not familiar with what you mentioned. More broadly, China's position on the issue of illegal immigration is consistent and clear. We resolutely fight activities of illegal immigration in any form and oppose any act of condoning or even supporting illegal immigration. China is a country under the rule of law and will properly handle relevant issue by strengthening international law enforcement and security cooperation.

Dragon TV: It's reported that on January 21, a fire at a hotel in Türkiye killed 76 people and injured 51. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced a day of national mourning to be observed on January 22. What's China's comment?

Mao Ning: We share the grief over the fatal fire accident that took place in Türkiye's Bolu province yesterday. Our hearts go out to the victims and those who have lost their loved ones, and we wish those who were injured speedy recovery.

AFP: There are some reports on social media of a Chinese national having been killed in an attack in north Afghanistan. These reports say that a Chinese worker in the mining industry was killed last night in Takhar province. Can the Foreign Ministry confirm or give us any details on this attack and this Chinese national?

Mao Ning: I'm not yet familiar with what you mentioned. I believe our Embassy in Afghanistan will track the information over what's happened, and do its utmost to protect the lawful rights and interests of Chinese citizens and their safety.

Bloomberg: On TikTok. US President Donald Trump has said he would be open to Elon Musk or Oracle Corp. Chairman Larry Ellison purchasing social media app TikTok as part of a joint venture with the US government. Does the Foreign Ministry have any comment on this? And how would China feel about the US government being part of a joint venture that splits the ownership of TikTok?

Mao Ning: On TikTok, my colleagues and I have repeatedly stated China's principled position over the past few days, and you may refer to that.

Reuters: Could you tell us more on how the strategic communication channel on major topics between China and the US works? Who from the China side is speaking to the US on this channel and from which arm of the Chinese government? And likewise, who is on the US end of this channel?

Mao Ning: We have no information to share at this time.

AFP: With the threat of 10 percent tariffs, are there any talks happening already or any negotiations going on?

Mao Ning: What I can say is that we stand ready to maintain communication with the US, properly handle differences, expand mutually beneficial cooperation and pursue a steady, sound and sustainable development of China-US relationship. China will also firmly defend its own interests.

RT TV: Trump, shortly after being sworn in, threatens 100 percent tariffs on BRICS nations if they continue de-dollarization efforts. Do you have any response to this?

Mao Ning: As an important platform for cooperation among emerging markets and developing countries, BRICS advocates openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, not bloc confrontation, and does not target any third party. The aim is to realize common development and prosperity. China stands ready to continue working with BRICS partners to deepen practical cooperation in various fields and make more contribution to the sustained and steady growth of the world economy.

Reuters: I just wanna follow up on the Thailand-Uyghur issue. The UN human rights experts released a statement yesterday urging Thailand to immediately stop the possible transfer of the 48 Uhghurs to China. In the statement, the UN warned, to quote the statement, that the group was at real risk of torture or other cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment if they are returned. How does China respond to this statement?

Mao Ning: Judging by your question, this is a matter regarding the judicial cooperation between two sovereign states. UN experts, whatever their role is, should fulfill their mandate in a just and objective manner in line with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures Mandate-holders of the Human Rights Council, and make sure that nothing they say or do interferes in the judicial sovereignty of UN member states and their normal judicial cooperation, instead of speaking out irresponsibly on those matters. 

Bloomberg: Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Tuesday with his Quad counterparts from Australia, India and Japan. I'm just wondering if the Foreign Ministry has any comments on the meeting.

Mao Ning: This question was raised by Kyoto News. I already gave an answer.

NBC: I just want to know if you have a latest comment on the Panama Canal issue. President Trump warned of the danger of China taking control of the canal, and he would like to take it back from Panama. Do you have any comment on this? 

Mao Ning: We agree with Panama's President José Raúl Mulino that Panama's sovereignty and independence are not negotiable, and the Panama Canal is not under direct or indirect control by any power. China does not take part in managing or operating the Canal. Never ever has China interfered. We respect Panama's sovereignty over the Canal and recognize it as a permanently neutral international waterway.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.