Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian’s Regular Press Conference on February 5, 2026

CCTV: In response to Panama's Supreme Court's ruling that CK Huchison's concession to operate two Panama Canal ports is unconstitutional, China has said more than once that China will firmly safeguard the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies. What future measures will China take? Have you communicated with the Panamanian side on the future operation of the ports?

Lin Jian: China has made its position clear more than once on relevant issues related to the ports. In a commentary posted on February 3, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council of China stated that Panamanian Supreme Court's ruling is an act of bad faith that disregards facts and severely undermines the lawful rights and interests of the company of China's Hong Kong. The article stressed that the Chinese government is committed to protecting the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies. You may refer to the article for more details.

CCTV: In response to Panama's Supreme Court ruling that CK Hutchison's concession is unconstitutional, CK Hutchison said yesterday in a press release that it "strongly disagrees with" the ruling, would launch international arbitration, and reserves the right to recourse to additional legal proceedings in the matter. What is China's comment?

Lin Jian: I just stated China's position. China will firmly defend the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies.

RT TV: On February 4, which marks the traditional Chinese solar term Start of Spring, the heads of state of Russia and China had a virtual meeting. Aide to the Russian President Ushakov said that at the invitation of Chinese leader, President Putin plans to visit China in the first half of 2026. Can you share more information?

Lin Jian: Yesterday, President Xi Jinping had a virtual meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. They had an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations and international and regional hotspot issues of mutual interest. The two presidents have maintained strategic communication in various ways and steered the bilateral relations in the new era to steadily move forward. 

RT TV: On February 4, the Chinese leader had a virtual meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and then spoke with U.S. President Donald J. Trump on the phone. What's the significance and results of the meeting and the phone call? Does it mean that Russia, China and the U.S. are coordinating their positions on a series of international issues? 

Lin Jian: President Xi Jinping had a virtual meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and spoke with U.S. President Donald J. Trump on the phone. This is the arrangement agreed on by China and Russia and China and the U.S. according to the schedule of the leaders. On the specifics of the two head-of-state interactions, China released detailed readouts, which you may refer to.

NHK: The U.S.-Russia New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty expires today. Did China share its take on that issue during the virtual meeting between the Chinese and Russian leaders and the phone call between the Chinese and U.S. leaders yesterday? What's China's comment on the expiration? The U.S. said that it's necessary to establish a framework with China included on nuclear arms control. What's China's comment? What role will China play in nuclear arms control as a major country?

Lin Jian: China has released the readouts on President Xi Jinping's virtual meeting with President Putin and the phone call with President Trump. China always exercises utmost prudence and responsibility on issues concerning nuclear weapons. 

China follows a defensive nuclear strategy and a policy of "no first use" of nuclear weapons, and pledged unconditionally not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon states and nuclear-weapon-free zones. China keeps its nuclear capabilities at the minimum level required by national security, and has no intention to engage in arms race with any country. 

China believes that nuclear disarmament must follow the principles of "maintaining global strategic stability" and "undiminished security for all." China's nuclear strength is by no means at the same level with that of the U.S. or Russia. Thus, China will not take part in nuclear disarmament negotiations for the time-being.

From China's view, the expiration of ‍New START is truly regrettable. The treaty is vital to global strategic stability, and there is widespread concern over the impact on the international nuclear arms control system and global nuclear order after the treaty expires. 

Russia has proposed that both Russia and the U.S. continue to adhere to the central limits of the treaty. China hopes the U.S. will actively respond to Russia's proposal, work out a responsible solution to the treaty's expiration, and resume strategic stability dialogue with Russia at an early date. This is also what the world hopes to see.

Bloomberg: After the phone call between Xi and Trump, Trump said that Xi would visit the White House toward the end of this year. Can the Foreign Ministry confirm that or have any more details on such a meeting?

Lin Jian: The heads of state of China and the United States maintain communication and interactions. As for your specific question, I have no information to share at the moment.

The Paper: It's reported that days ago, the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong released its 2026 Business Sentiment Survey Findings Report. American companies in Hong Kong are increasingly optimistic and confident about Hong Kong's business environment and prospect. What's the Foreign Ministry's comment?

Lin Jian: I noted the report. According to the report, 86 percent of respondents believe that Hong Kong is a competitive international business hub, 92 percent have no plans to relocate their headquarters away from Hong Kong, and 94 percent express confidence in Hong Kong's rule of law. The statistics demonstrate American companies' growing confidence in Hong Kong's prospect and business environment.

Hong Kong is now at a new stage where it is set to thrive. Hong Kong's economy has flourished, and its status as a hub in international finance, trade, and shipping has been consolidated. It has also stayed among the top in multiple global rankings. The fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee put forward a series of important measures to promote long-term prosperity and stability in Hong Kong. Going forward, Hong Kong will enjoy broader prospects. China believes that more and more American and other foreign companies will invest and do business in Hong Kong and benefit from the Chinese modernization and One Country, Two Systems.

Yonhap News Agency: The U.S. officially launched a critical minerals trading alliance today, which will be chaired by the ROK through June. What is China's comment?

Lin Jian: An open, inclusive international trade environment beneficial to all serves the common interests of all countries. All parties have the responsibility to play a constructive role in keeping the global industrial and supply chains on critical mineral stable and secure. China opposes any country setting up exclusive blocs to disrupt international economic and trade order. 

Bloomberg: On the Panama situation. Bloomberg has reported that the Chinese government is asking state-owned firms to halt talks over new projects in Panama, after the country's court voided CK Hutchison's port contracts. Does the Foreign Ministry have any comment and can you confirm that the government has indeed asked state-owned firms to do that?

Lin Jian: China's position on issues concerning relevant Panamanian ports is clear.