Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning’s Regular Press Conference on January 14, 2026

AFP: Argentina's President Javier Milei said he will travel to China this year in 2026. Can you confirm that? Is China open to a visit from the Argentine President?

Mao Ning: On the visit you mentioned, I have no information to share at the moment. What I can tell you is that China attaches importance to developing relations with Argentina, and stands ready to enhance exchanges at various levels with Argentina to deepen political mutual trust and promote practical cooperation for the benefit of the peoples of both countries.

Xinhua News Agency: China broke into the top 10 for the first time last year in the Global Innovation Index ranking, and the new year has seen several more innovation outcomes in China. We've noted that the rapid development of science and technology is widening the technology gap facing developing countries. How does China see its role in global sci-tech innovation?

Mao Ning: The past year has witnessed deep integration between technology and industries and rapid emergence of innovation outcomes in China. Looking into the future, innovation will become the main impetus driving China's high-quality development. The recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan mentioned "innovation" 61 times and put sci-tech innovation at the core of the nation's overall development.

While boosting its own development through innovation, China always shares innovation outcomes with the rest of the world and is committed to bringing the benefit of science and technology to the whole humanity. China's large-scale scientific facilities, such as FAST, are open to the whole world; we are committed to international cooperation in deep-sea and deep-space exploration; and our livelihood technologies, such as hybrid rice, aquaculture and juncao technology, have helped developing countries get rid of poverty. We've also launched the Global AI Governance Initiative, which advocates fostering an open, fair and non-discriminatory international environment for innovation. China will continue to act in the spirit of openness and cooperation, oppose technological barriers, narrow the sci-tech gap, and promote the sharing of innovation outcomes by all for global development and prosperity.

China News Service: We've learned that ambassador Yan Wenbin was appointed as the special representative of the Chinese government on Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) affairs and SCO national coordinator of China. Can you confirm that?

Mao Ning: The Chinese government has appointed ambassador Yan Wenbin as the special representative of the Chinese government on SCO affairs and SCO national coordinator of China.

The SCO is the world's largest regional organization. Since the establishment of the organization in 2001, SCO member states have always upheld the Shanghai Spirit and explored a new path for the development of international organizations. China, as the rotating chair of the SCO last year, successfully hosted the SCO Tianjin Summit. President Xi Jinping together with participating leaders reached important common understandings on deepening multilateral cooperation, improving SCO operation mechanisms, and building a more just and equitable global governance system. They have led the SCO into a new stage of high-quality development.

The special representative of the Chinese government on SCO affairs and SCO national coordinator of China is an important post China set up to deepen exchanges and cooperation with SCO countries. Ambassador Yan Wenbin is a seasoned diplomat versed in SCO affairs. We believe he will actively fulfill his duties and maintain close working relations with the national coordinators of other SCO member states to deliver on the common understandings of leaders, work for development and cooperation of the organization, jointly contribute to regional security, stability, development and prosperity and promote the building of an even closer SCO community with a shared future.

China-Arab TV: Trump is telling the whole world that to him, international law does not matter and the only important thing is his "own morality." What is China's comment?

Mao Ning: The international law based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter is the cornerstone of the existing international order, and an important basis for settling international disputes. Upholding international law is key to defending international fairness and justice and preventing a return to the law of the jungle. Major countries need to take the lead in respecting the authority of international law and fulfilling their obligations under international law.

AFP: Another question on Trump, he said overnight that the U.S. could take "very strong action" against Iran if Iran executes more protesters. What is China's position on the latest remarks by Donald Trump?

Mao Ning: On the situation in Iran, we've made clear our position more than once. We hope the Iranian government and people will overcome the current difficulties and uphold stability in the country. We oppose external interference in other countries' internal affairs, object to the use or threat of force in international relations, and hope parties will act in ways conducive to peace and stability in the Middle East.

AFP: A question on Thailand, at least 22 people were killed today after a train collided with a construction crane. The crane was apparently located on a construction site for a high-speed railway intended to link China and Thailand. I believe China is a partner in this project. So first, what's your reaction to this accident? Do you have any more details about what happened at this China-Thailand construction site?

Mao Ning: We noted the reports on the accident and our thoughts are with those who lost their lives or got injured in the accident. The Chinese government attaches high importance to the safety of projects. The Chinese side is gathering detailed information about the accident. Current information indicates that the construction of relevant railway section is undertaken by a Thai company. Investigation is still going on to ascertain the cause of the accident.