​Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun’s Regular Press Conference on April 15, 2026

CCTV: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's visit to China has drawn much attention. What is China's comment on the visit? What is your expectation for the development of China-Spain relations going forward?

Guo Jiakun: From April 11 to 15, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez paid an official visit to China at the invitation of the Chinese side. This is his fourth visit to China within four years. China accorded him with warm reception. The visit was a great success. President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang and Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee Zhao Leji met and held talks with him. The leaders had in-depth and friendly exchanges of views, reached new, important common understandings, and sent a clear message of China and Spain enhancing communication, consolidating mutual trust, and deepening cooperation. The outcomes of the visit are reflected in the following three aspects:

The two sides will strengthen political mutual trust. Over the past four years, no matter how the international landscape evolved, China and Spain have attached importance to the bilateral relations in designing foreign policies, accommodated each other's core interests and major concerns, and served as each other's trustworthy partner. Spain reaffirmed its commitment to the one-China principle. The two sides agreed to further step up strategic communication, decided to establish diplomatic and strategic dialogue mechanisms and, through deeper understanding, mutual support and cooperation, realize more stable and sustainable growth of the bilateral relations.

The two sides will jointly pursue innovation-driven development. China-Spain cooperation is in the interest of both peoples, respond to the prevailing trend of the times, and enhance both sides' capability and confidence in following a path independently chosen by themselves. New energy cooperation between the two countries has produced fruitful outcomes, contributed to the green transition, helped respond to the changes and transformation in the world, and set up an example of openness and cooperation. During the visit, Premier Li and Prime Minister Sánchez witnessed the signing of 15 cooperation documents in economy and trade, education, agriculture and food, science and technology, and other areas. They agreed to further implement the action plan on enhancing the comprehensive strategic partnership, enhance cooperation in areas of trade, new energy and smart economy, and promote cultural and people-to-people exchanges for closer bond between the peoples. China stands ready to import more quality products from Spain, and encourages more Chinese companies with the capability to invest in Spain. The Spanish side believed that enhancing cooperation with China in areas of new energy and science and technology will help boost growth, increase resilience and respond to challenges. Spain stands ready to have closer synergy with China on development strategies, leverage the complementary strength, and create more outcomes of practical cooperation.

The two sides will jointly respond to the issues of our times. As President Xi Jinping said, how a country approaches international law and the international order reflects its views of the world, order, and values, and its sense of responsibility. China and Spain are both countries that value principle and justice, and both opt for the right side of history. The two countries need to jointly uphold true multilateralism, and reject any backslide into the law of the jungle. The Spanish side spoke highly of the four major global initiatives put forward by President Xi Jinping, and expressed readiness to have closer communication and collaboration with China to jointly uphold international law and multilateralism and address global challenges. The two sides agreed that deeper mutual understanding and cooperation between China and Europe benefits both sides and the wider world. Spain stands ready to play a constructive role in bridging differences between China and Europe in economy and trade, and building stronger China-Europe relations.

During the visit, Prime Minister Sánchez visited Tsinghua University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. He expressed hopes to work with China to promote international cooperation, build a multipolar world, jointly protect the Earth and continue the miracle of humanity. His speech drew extensive discussions and resonance. We believe that China-Spain cooperation will benefit peoples of both countries, and bring positive energy to world peace, development and prosperity.

RT TV: Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov just wrapped up his visit to China. What does the Chinese side think of the visit?

Guo Jiakun: You can check the readouts on the visit that we've released. I would just stress that both sides will seize the trend of the times, fully implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, and bring to a new height the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination and our mutually-beneficial cooperation in various fields.

Xinhua News Agency: The U.S. reportedly said that talks with Iran could resume in Pakistan over the next two days. What is China's comment? How do you see the next round of talks? Will China continue to play a mediation role?

Guo Jiakun: China welcomes all efforts conducive to ending the conflict, and commends Pakistan for brokering the U.S.-Iran temporary ceasefire and a just and balanced mediation role. The pressing priority is to prevent by all means a relapse in fighting, maintain the momentum for ceasefire that did not come easy, and stay committed to political and diplomatic means in resolving disputes.

When meeting with Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi yesterday morning, President Xi Jinping made a four-point proposition on safeguarding and promoting peace and stability in the Middle East, that is, stay committed to the principle of peaceful co-existence, the principle of national sovereignty, the principle of international rule of law and a balanced approach to development and security. The proposition reflects China's consistent position and active effort for promoting ceasefire and peace, and advocating dialogue in resolving differences. China stands ready to continue working with the international community to contribute to the early restoration of peace and stability in the Middle East and Gulf region.

The Guardian: The U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that China was an unreliable partner in the crisis in the Middle East. And yesterday, the Chinese threatened countermeasures against any tariffs against China. Do these statements have any bearing on President Trump's upcoming visit to China?

Guo Jiakun: On the Iran situation, China has made its serious position clear more than once.

On President Trump's visit to China, the two sides maintain communication on the matter.

Global Times: It is reported that on April 13, in a meeting with Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, mayor of Yonaguni town, Okinawa Prefecture expressed the approval on the deployment of air defense missile units in Yonaguni town. What's China's comment?

Guo Jiakun: China is gravely concerned. Under the cover of so-called defense and counterstrike, Japan has been strengthening the deployment of a series of offensive weapons and equipment including missiles in regions close to China. This is essentially an attempt to build a forward fortress of military confrontation which threatens regional peace and stability. Japan's right-wing forces are pushing for a more offensive, expansionist and dangerous defense policy, which goes far beyond the scope of self-defense and Japan's "exclusively defense-oriented" policy and makes Japan's self-claimed image as a country for peace nothing but an irony.

We understand that due to tragic memories of the history, local residents fear being dragged into wars and ending up as cannon fodder. There are also many opposing voices in Japan. The war of aggression launched by Japanese militarists brought catastrophe to the Japanese people as well as the rest of the world. Defying public opinion and seeking military expansion will only repeat history. We urge the Japanese side to do serious soul-searching on its history of military aggression, honor its commitments and exercise prudence on its words and actions in military and security fields. International community must be highly vigilant and firmly stop Japan's fast-growing remilitarization and neo-militarism.

AFP: Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said during his visit to Beijing that Russia can compensate for the shortfall in resources that has arisen for China and other countries due to the Strait of Hormuz being blocked. Can you provide more details about this and the ongoing energy cooperation between China and Russia?

Guo Jiakun: We have made clear China's position on the Strait of Hormuz. China and Russia engage in practical cooperation in various fields, including energy, on the basis of mutual respect and mutual benefit. 

Beijing Daily: Today marks the 11th National Security Education Day. This year's theme is "Ensuring Both Development and Security to Safeguard the New Journey of the 15th Five-Year Plan". Against the backdrop of an increasingly volatile and fluid international security landscape, how can the diplomatic front better safeguard national security and promote world peace and tranquility?

Guo Jiakun: Security is of paramount importance to a nation. On April 15, 2014, General Secretary Xi Jinping put forward the holistic approach to national security, which provides the fundamental guideline and roadmap for national security work in the new era. Over the past 12 years since then, April 15 has been marked with a wide variety of activities aimed at raising awareness on the subject across the country. The annual events, demonstrating that national security is for the people and by the people, have galvanized whole-of-society commitment to safeguarding national security.

Safeguarding national security is the sacred mission of the diplomatic front. We resolutely defend national sovereignty, security and development interests, fight back at attempts of containment and suppression by external forces, and strive to ensure a favorable external environment for our cause of building a strong country and realizing national rejuvenation. We work with the international community to act on the Global Security Initiative, engage in international security cooperation, contribute to better global security governance, and offer Chinese solutions to help promote the peaceful settlement of international disputes and hotspot issues. With all these efforts, China is increasingly perceived as a force for peace, stability and justice in a changing and turbulent world.

In 2026, the year that marks the beginning of the 15th Five-Year Plan, we will continue to be guided by the vision of a community with a shared future for humanity and work together with all peace-loving countries and peoples to build a world of lasting peace and universal security.

Hubei Media Group: It's reported that the latest IMF report indicates deeper, longer conflict in the Middle East would push global economy to the brink of recession and decides to cut global growth outlook by 0.2 percentage points. According to UN agencies, the war will push another 45 million people into hunger and 32 million people into poverty. Some Pacific Island countries facing energy crises have declared a state of emergency. Can I have your comment on that?

Guo Jiakun: The IMF report again proves that the war has caused not only heavy casualties and losses but also severe spillover, hampering global economic growth and the improvement of people's wellbeing. It is a war that should not have happened. Nor should the international community, the least developed countries in particular, bear the brunt. The pressing priority is to prevent by all means a relapse in fighting, resume traffic via the Strait of Hormuz and restore peace and stability to the Gulf as soon as possible so as to prevent the war from causing greater impact on the global economy and energy security or even a humanitarian crisis.

Shenzhen TV: In recent days, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said in an interview with U.S. media that Cuba is ready to have dialogue with the U.S. built on the basis of respect and equality without conditions. Cuba firmly refuses the U.S.'s political demand including the resignation of the president. Cuba poses no threat to the U.S., hence the U.S. has no reason to resort to military aggression. On April 13, the U.S. sent another threat to Cuba by saying that the U.S. may "stop by Cuba after we're finished with Iran." What's China's comment?

Guo Jiakun: China firmly opposes coercive diplomacy, and will firmly support Cuba in defending national sovereignty and opposing external interference.