Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun’s Regular Press Conference on September 23, 2025

China News Service: We noted that the China-Laos Railway has provided over 60,000 cargo train services in total. The total cargo throughput of the railway has recorded two-digit growth in three consecutive years. Some say that the railway has become a golden route connecting China and ASEAN countries. In recent years, China-ASEAN cooperation has been picking up speed. Do you have any further comment on China-ASEAN cooperation and development?

Guo Jiakun: The China-Laos Railway is a flagship project of Belt and Road cooperation between China and ASEAN and the joint effort of promoting regional economic integration. The railway has witnessed the booming momentum of China and ASEAN countries working together in the same direction. In recent years, practical cooperation in various sectors between China and ASEAN countries has made steady progress and yielded fruitful results. In 2024, the trade volume between the two sides totaled around US$ 1 trillion. China and ASEAN countries have been each other's largest trading partner for five consecutive years, and the two-way investment has exceeded US$ 450 billion in total by July, 2025. From 2024 to 2025, the two sides jointly held a series of activities for "China-ASEAN Year of People-to-People Exchange," which effectively strengthened people-to-people exchanges and forged closer bonds. The two sides have also jointly created cooperation highlights in sectors such as digital economy, artificial intelligence and new energy, which improved the quality of and encouraged innovation in regional development. Recently, the 22nd China-ASEAN Expo was successfully convened. Around 70 new products were launched at the Expo. It fully speaks to the enormous potential of China and ASEAN countries in seizing new development opportunities and opening up new prospects for cooperation. 

The increasingly complex international landscape calls for efforts of focusing on cooperation and acting on the principle of win-win results. We stand ready to enhance connectivity with all parties, including ASEAN countries, to jointly promote regional integration and economic globalization, so as to bring the benefit of openness and cooperation to more people and countries.

AFP: The White House said on Monday that tech giant Oracle has set itself as a security guarantor for U.S. version of the TikTok algorithm under a deal for the sale of its American operations. Does the Foreign Ministry have a comment on this? 

Guo Jiakun: China has stated its position on the TikTok issue before, which you may refer to.

Reuters: The foreign ministers of South Korea, Japan and the United States have issued a joint statement expressing concern about increasingly frequent destabilizing activities around Taiwan and voiced strong opposition to unlawful maritime claims. How does the Foreign Ministry respond to that?

Guo Jiakun: The U.S., Japan and the ROK made irresponsible remarks on the Taiwan question and maritime issues, which amount to interference in China's internal affairs and groundless accusations against China. We deplore and reject those remarks.

Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, and the Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair, which brooks no external interference. The greatest threat to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait comes from the separatist activities of "Taiwan independence" forces and the external connivance and support they receive. To maintain cross-Strait peace and stability, one must uphold the one-China principle and unequivocally oppose "Taiwan independence." Relevant countries should abide by the one-China principle, stop abetting "Taiwan independence" separatist activities in any form, and not send any wrong signal to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces.

The current situation in the South China Sea is generally stable. China, while firmly defending its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, remains committed to the proper settlement of differences with countries concerned through dialogue and consultation. Relevant countries need to respect regional countries' joint efforts to handle issues through dialogue and consultation and uphold peace and stability, and stop creating tension or stoking confrontation.

RIA Novosti: Russian President Vladimir Putin said yesterday that Russia is ready to continue to adhere to restrictions under New START (New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) for one year after the agreement expires on February 5 next year. He also added that these steps to comply with the New START Treaty will be effective if the U.S. reciprocates. I wonder what's China's comment on this? 

Guo Jiakun: China commends the positive stance expressed by Russia. On the U.S.-Russia New START treaty, China's position is consistent. It is important that the U.S. and Russia, which possess the world's biggest nuclear arsenals, fulfill their special and primary responsibility for nuclear disarmament, resume implementing the treaty and work out a way to continue substantively slashing their nuclear stockpile in a verifiable, irreversible and legally-binding way. This is also what the international community hopes to see.

AFP: China is set to release its 2035 nationally determined contributions (NDC), which its leader pledged that China will announce before COP 30 in November. Can the Foreign Ministry give us an indication of when this new set of climate pledges would be announced?

Guo Jiakun: Climate change is a challenge faced by all humanity. No country can stay insulated or unaffected. China's resolve and action of tackling climate change are as strong as ever. China will work with all parties to uphold the vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity, actively address the climate challenge and promote the global green and low-carbon transition. For anything specific, I'd refer you to competent authorities.

Folha de S.Paulo: The European Union has resumed buying chicken meat from Brazil after recognizing that the country is free of avian flu. Will China resume purchases as well?

Guo Jiakun: China is Brazil's largest trading partner, and Brazil is China's largest trading partner in Latin America. The two countries have long maintained close cooperation and sound communication in trade and customs inspection and quarantine. The mutually beneficial and friendly cooperation between China and Brazil has benefited both peoples. If you need anything more specific, I would leave that to the department overseeing the matter.

AFP: Vanuatu's Interior Minister Andrew Napuat has been quoted by local media as saying that his country is seeking to formalize a police and security deal with China. Can the Foreign Ministry confirm that a deal is being discussed and share more details?

Guo Jiakun: China's cooperation with Vanuatu is based on mutual respect, equal-footed consultation, mutual benefit, openness and inclusiveness. China will continue to support Vanuatu to the best of our capabilities in light of their will and need, and strengthen friendly exchanges and cooperation in various fields for the benefit of the two countries and two peoples. On the specifics that you mentioned, I'd refer you to competent authorities.

Folha de S.Paulo: As part of the tariff negotiations with the U.S., does China intend to increase its purchase of soybeans from the U.S.?

Guo Jiakun: I would leave that to the competent authorities. Let me stress that tariff war and trade war serve no one's interest. The two sides need to address relevant issue through consultation based on equality, respect and mutual benefit.