Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning’s Regular Press Conference on June 2, 2026

At the invitation of the government of the Russian Federation and the government of the Republic of Belarus, from June 4 to 8, Vice President Han Zheng will travel to Russia to attend the 29th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum and visit Belarus.

CCTV: You just announced that Vice President Han Zheng will travel to Russia to attend the 29th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum and visit Belarus. Can you share the background, arrangement and China's expectation for the visit?

Mao Ning: The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum is an important platform for discussions on global economic governance and consensus-building on international cooperation. The theme of this year's forum is "Pragmatic Dialogue: the Path to a Stable Future," which is highly relevant. Vice President Han Zheng will attend the forum and have meetings with Russian leaders. China looks forward to working with other participants to strengthen communication, enhance mutual trust, practice multilateralism, and build a more just and equitable global governance system. China will also continue working with Russia to implement the important common understandings in the leaders' summit in May and make greater progress in developing the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era.

China and Belarus are all-weather comprehensive strategic partners. In recent years, under the strategic guidance of the two presidents, the two countries have maintained robust ties. The two sides have cemented political mutual trust, engaged in fruitful pragmatic cooperation and deepened people-to-people exchanges. During Vice President Han Zheng's visit to Belarus, he will exchange views with leaders of Belarus on the bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest. China is ready to work with Belarus, under the fundamental guidance of the important common understandings between the two presidents, to enhance strategic communication and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation to further advance the robust bilateral relations and deliver more benefits to the two peoples.

Shenzhen TV: On May 31, in response to the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson's remarks on Japan-Philippines announcement of maritime delimitation talks, Taiwan's "foreign affairs department" commended Japan and the Philippines and questioned Chinese mainland's sovereign rights over relevant waters. What is your comment?

Mao Ning: China has made clear its position on the announced maritime delimitation talks between Japan and the Philippines. Let me reiterate that the area involved in their planned talks is east of China's Taiwan island. According to China's domestic law and international law including UNCLOS, China has exclusive economic zone and continental shelf in this area. As per UNCLOS, the delimitation of the exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf between States with opposite or adjacent coasts shall be effected by the States concerned by agreement on the basis of equity. Any delimitation concerning waters to the east of Taiwan must have China as a party to the talks. Japan and the Philippines' attempt to bypass China and initiate the so-called maritime delimitation talks constitutes a severe violation of UNCLOS and other international laws and basic norms governing international relations. It also seriously infringes on China's maritime rights and interests. China will not allow this.

The two sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one and the same China. To uphold national sovereignty and maritime rights and interests is the shared responsibility of all Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. The DPP authorities, in pursuing selfish political gains, have gone so far as to put the Chinese nation's vital interest up for sale, a move that betrays ancestors and breaches all moral boundaries. This once again shows that these separatists have completely forfeited the national stance and degenerated into traitors to the nation. What awaits them is contempt from Chinese on both sides of the Strait and the judgement of history.

Nippon TV: Cheng Li-wen is visiting the U.S. Does the foreign ministry have any comment on this?

Mao Ning: Issues related to external exchanges of China's Taiwan region should be handled in line with the one-China principle.

China Daily: Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr said at the Shangri-La Dialogue that though China has offered fertiliser and fuel to the Philippines, there isn't any demonstration of good faith on a long-term basis. It is actually guileful, he added. No matter how China sugarcoats its assistance to the Philippines, it doesn't cut the mustard, and it will not change the Philippines' views on China. Teodoro also said that the Philippines is under severe threat territory-wise and politically too by China. What's your comment?

Mao Ning: This Philippine defense secretary is known to vilify China. His latest rhetoric that you mentioned once again shows his complete disregard of the welfare of the Philippine people and lack of appreciation for kindness. All he cares is selfish personal gains to the point that he would perform political theatrics even when people's well-being is at stake. What he does is seriously detrimental to China-Philippines ties and trust and not at all in the interest of his own country and people. The Philippine side needs to ask themselves: if people like him are allowed to do whatever they want, how exactly can China continue to provide supplies and aid to the Philippines? Who should pay the price? Whose interests will be in jeopardy?

The leader of the Philippines has expressed on multiple occasions readiness to properly handle differences with China and ease the tension in bilateral relations. We hope the Philippine side will match those words with concrete actions, keep officials' rhetoric and behavior in line and not let certain individuals jeopardize again and again the efforts of the two sides to stabilize ties.

Nippon TV: It is reported that in North Korea there has been a move which is considered to be a preparation for Chinese leader's visit. Does the foreign ministry have any information you can share?

Mao Ning: I have nothing to share.

Xinhua News Agency: Sanae Takaichi posted on social media that the review of the three principles on defense equipment transfer is, in essence, aimed at enhancing deterrence for the sake of "defense" and preventing conflicts before they occur, amid the most severe security environment since the end of the war. Last week, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth welcomed this Japanese initiative and agreed to strengthen military cooperation with Japan. Some believe that Japan is bolstering its defense capabilities to counter and contain China. What's your comment?

Mao Ning: Fear-mongering of so-called threats to justify military buildup is a go-to tactic for Japanese militarism. As explicitly stipulated in international instruments such as the Potsdam Proclamation, Japan is obligated under international law to be "completely disarmed" and not to maintain industries that "would enable her to re-arm for war." Japan, however, has been lifting the ban on lethal weapon export, rebuilding the war machine, and rapidly shifting to offense-oriented security and defense policies. Those dangerous moves bear an alarming resemblance to the course of actions taken by militarists in pre-war Japan. History has taught the world a painful lesson on appeasing and condoning militarism. Once that Pandora's box is opened, no one will be safe from the danger of raising a monster.