Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning’s Regular Press Conference on November 4, 2025

CCTV: It's reported that former chairman of the DPRK's Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly Kim Yong Nam passed away at 97 due to illness on November 3 local time. What's China's comment?

Mao Ning: Kim Yong Nam, former chairman of the DPRK's Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly, is an old friend of the Chinese people. He led delegations to China more than once and made important contributions to the traditional friendship and cooperative ties between the two countries. China expresses deep condolences over his passing and extends heartfelt sympathies to his family.

Xinhua News Agency: It's reported that in the early morning of November 3, Beijing time, a 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit the province of Balkh in northern Afghanistan, killing at least 24 people and injuring more than 640. What's China's comment?

Mao Ning: China is following the disaster in Afghanistan. We deeply mourn for the lives lost in the earthquake. Our thoughts are with the bereaved families and the injured. We believe that under the leadership of the Afghan government, the Afghan people will recover and rebuild from the disaster. China will provide help in light of Afghanistan's needs.

EFE: The United Nations Security Council recently adopted a resolution, renewing mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara, and China abstained from the vote. How does China view the current situation in Western Sahara? What aspects of this resolution does China believe can be improved?

Mao Ning: The Chinese representative elaborated on China's position in the explanation of vote on the draft resolution. Let me stress that China supports the extension of the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara. That said, it's a regret that the resolution failed to adequately take on board the concerns of all parties and reflect all initiatives in an objective way. China has to abstain from the vote. On the question of Western Sahara, China believes that a political solution is the fundamental way out, the United Nations is the main channel, the UN Security Council resolutions are the important foundation, and dialogue and negotiations is the right approach. China hopes that relevant parties will hold equal-footed consultations and reach a just and lasting political solution acceptable to all parties.

CNR: It's reported that U.S. President Donald Trump said he named Nigeria a "Country of Particular Concern" because Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Nigeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement said that the allegations do not reflect the true situation in Nigeria. Trump said the U.S. will immediately cut off all assistance to Nigeria if the Nigerian government continues to allow the killing of Christians and will very likely launch military operations. What's China's comment?

Mao Ning: As Nigeria's comprehensive strategic partner, China firmly supports the Nigerian government in leading its people on the development path suited to its national conditions. China firmly opposes any country using religion and human rights as an excuse to interfere in other countries' internal affairs, and threatening other countries with sanctions and force. 

AFP: A university in the UK has been accused of halting a professor's human rights research after pressure from China. This included threats from the Chinese security services and a block apparently on the university's website in China. The UK government also said it had raised the issue with the Chinese government. Does the Foreign Ministry have any comment?

Mao Ning: The individual you mentioned is a link on the anti-China disinformation "supply chain." She herself admitted at interviews that her so-called "research" is funded and supported by certain government authorities, even security agencies. What happened recently are just self-directed moves to spread disinformation for selfish gains under the pretext of academic freedom.

EFE: It's reported that Venezuelan President Maduro is seeking military equipment such as missiles and drones from China, Russia, and Iran to prepare Venezuela for possible attacks by the United States. What is China's comment?

Mao Ning: China has a clear-cut stance on the U.S. cracking down on so-called "drug cartels" by force in the Caribbean Sea. China supports the effort of combating cross-border crimes through stronger international cooperation, and opposes using or threatening to use force in international relations. We stand against moves that undermine peace and stability in the Latin America and the Caribbean region, and oppose unilateral and excessive "enforcement operations" against other countries' vessels. We hope the U.S. will engage in normal law enforcement and judicial cooperation through bilateral and multilateral legal frameworks. 

The normal exchanges and cooperation between China and Venezuela is the cooperation between two sovereign states, which does not target any third party and is not subject to disruption or influence from any third party.