Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian’s Regular Press Conference on February 2, 2026

At the invitation of the Spanish government, State Councilor Shen Yiqin will visit Spain from February 4 to 5. She will attend upon invitation the opening ceremony of the XXV Olympic Winter Games on February 6 and other events in Milan, Italy.

Yonhap News Agency: It was reported that during this year's Spring Festival, the top destination for Chinese outbound tourism will be the ROK. The "Korean Wave" and the ROK's visa-free policy is believed to have played a role in this. What is China's view?

Lin Jian: Great efforts in increasingly facilitating cross-border travel enhance mutual understanding and exchanges between the Chinese and ROK people. China also welcomes more friends from the ROK to visit China and celebrate the Spring Festival here.

AFP: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu when they met yesterday that bilateral relations could break new ground this year. Can the Foreign Ministry elaborate on the kind of areas that China is hoping to break new ground in with Russia this year?

Lin Jian: On February 1, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi had strategic communication with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu in Beijing. China released a readout, which you may refer to.

China and Russia are comprehensive strategic partners of coordination for a new era. The two sides have maintained close communication on major issues concerning bilateral relations, supported each other on issues related to each other's core interests, and protected respective and common interests of the two countries. Facing the current turbulent and changing international landscape, China and Russia, as two major countries and permanent members of the UN Security Council, will practice true multilateralism, uphold the UN-centered international system, call for an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and promote the building of a more just and equitable global governance system.

China News Service: Recently, when entering the U.S., staff of a Chinese company were wrongfully interrogated and detained for close to 60 hours before repatriation. What's the Foreign Ministry's comment?

Lin Jian: Recently, the U.S. law enforcement authorities have more than once interrogated and detained multiple Chinese companies staff for a long time before repatriating them without any just cause. Such harsh law enforcement actions severely violate the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of Chinese nationals, dampen the atmosphere for sound business cooperation and people-to-people exchanges and are diametrically opposed to the two presidents' agreement in Busan to strengthen business cooperation. China deplores and firmly opposes these moves.

The U.S. side should take China's concerns seriously. We call on the U.S. law enforcement authorities to immediately stop the wrongdoings, stop wrongfully interrogating Chinese businesspeople, faithfully act on the important common understandings reached between the two presidents, and not disrupt the normal friendly exchanges between Chinese and Americans. China will continue to take resolute measures to firmly protect the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of Chinese nationals.

Reuters: Danish shipping group Maersk said over the weekend it is willing to assume temporary management of the two port terminals in Panama operated by CK Hutchison, following Panama's Supreme Court ruling that CK Hutchison's concession is unconstitutional. How do you view Maersk's comment on this?

Lin Jian: We've made clear China's position on relevant ports in Panama. China will firmly safeguard the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies.

Shenzhen TV: Today marks the 30th World Wetlands Day and this year's theme is "Wetlands and traditional knowledge: Celebrating cultural heritage." China ranks among the top in the world in terms of wetlands area and its achievements in wetlands conservation in recent years have been widely recognized. Can I have your comment on that?

Lin Jian: Wetland, forest and ocean are the three major ecosystems on Earth and are vital for human beings to survive and thrive. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, China has been advocating that clear waters and green mountains are as valuable as gold and silver, and has achieved historical results in wetlands conservation and restoration. China's wetlands are the largest in Asia and the fourth biggest in the world, and has the largest number of Chinese cities accredited as international wetland cities.

China, as a contracting party to the Convention on Wetlands, is an important participant, contributor and pace-setter in global wetlands conservation and restoration. The International Mangrove Center was established under China's proposal, with the number of intended member countries increasing to 20. China has carried out international cooperation on knowledge sharing of mangrove protection in Southeast Asia, Africa and other parts of the world, and provided policy-making, technical and management training for Global South countries by hosting international workshops on mangrove conservation and restoration. China also won global honors for its ecological and environmental protection effort, such as the Champions of the Earth Award and the World BioProtection Award. China's green development philosophy and practices received international recognition and credit. 

Protecting wetlands and tackling climate change remains a long-term, arduous task, and is a shared responsibility of the international community. Going forward, China will stay committed to the Chinese modernization of harmony between humanity and nature, firmly support and participate in global ecological governance and work with other parties in building a community of all life on Earth.

AFP: Chinese media reports said today that four people who have been involved in scam operations and criminal gangs in Myanmar, including members of the Bai family have been executed. This comes after China executed 11 people, including members of the Ming family last month for similar crimes. Can the Foreign Ministry provide any comment on what this shows about China's efforts to clamp down on the scam centers in Myanmar?

Lin Jian: We've answered related questions before. Competent authorities have also released information. For some time, China has worked actively with Myanmar and other countries in fighting cross-border telecom and online fraud to jointly eradicate the scourge of online gambling and telecom fraud, protect the safety of the people and their property, and uphold the order of exchanges and cooperation between regional countries. The efforts have achieved good results. China will continue to deepen international law enforcement cooperation, step up effort to fight telecom fraud, online gambling and other related cross-border criminal activities, and jointly eliminate such crimes.

Reuters: U.S. President Trump said on Saturday that he welcomed China making a deal with the U.S. to buy Venezuelan oil. Is China currently in talks with the U.S. over Venezuelan oil or about Venezuela's outstanding debts to China?

Lin Jian: China noted relevant reports.