Reuters: Brazil’s President Lula will meet with President Xi Jinping in Beijing on April 14, according to Lula’s office. Are you able to confirm that?

Mao Ning: President Lula da Silva is welcome to visit China at a time of mutual convenience at an early date. We are keeping close communication with the Brazilian side on his visit. We will keep you updated if there is more to share.

AFP: Yesterday, French President Emmanuel Macron met with Xi Jinping. According to diplomats, the Chinese President expressed a willingness to speak with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy but only when the time is right. Can you confirm that? And when it could be the right time for that?

Mao Ning: On the Ukraine issue, China maintains communication with all relevant parties including Ukraine. China always stands on the side of peace and would like to work with the rest of the world to make its contribution to the realization of peace.

CCTV: We have learned that Special Envoy Zhai Jun of the Chinese Government on the Middle East Issue met with diplomatic envoys of Arab countries this morning and exchanged views on the ongoing Israel-Palestine and Israel-Lebanon conflicts. Can you share more with us? 

Mao Ning: Special Envoy Zhai Jun of the Chinese Government on the Middle East Issue had a group meeting with diplomatic envoys of Arab countries this morning upon request. He elaborated on China’s position on the escalation of conflicts between Israel and Palestine and Israel and Lebanon. He particularly urged relevant sides to act in accordance with relevant UN resolutions, and earnestly respect and maintain the historical status quo of the holy sites in Jerusalem, and shared what China has done to ease the situation.

Zhai Jun said that the pressing task now is to keep the situation under control. China urges relevant parties, Israel in particular, to stay calm and exercise restraint to the greatest extent, avoid taking any actions that may heighten tensions and prevent further escalation of the situation. China has actively responded to the call of Arab states and asked the UN Security Council to hold emergency consultations on the Israel-Palestine situation together with countries including the UAE, making active efforts for deescalation. We stay in close communication with relevant parties in the international community to facilitate peace talks.

Zhai Jun said that the fundamental way to resolve the conflicts between Palestine and Israel is the implementation of the two-state solution and the establishment of an independent state of Palestine. The international community needs to act with a stronger sense of urgency, heed the legitimate concerns of Palestine and take real steps to fulfill the pledge to the Palestinian people. Major countries with influence need to step up to their responsibilities, take a just position and play their due part in facilitating the resumption of peace talks between Palestine and Israel on the basis of the two-state solution. China will continue to make relentless efforts to facilitate a proper resolution of the Palestinian question at an early date.

Reuters: According to Egyptian local media, China has agreed to cancel a part of its $7.5 to $8 billion loan to Egypt and allow currency or assets swap for the other part. Can you confirm that Cairo has managed to come to some sort of arrangement with Beijing?

Mao Ning: I am not aware of the report you mentioned or the specifics. I would refer you to competent authorities of China.

Global Times: We have learned that China and Japan will soon hold the 15th round of high-level consultations on maritime affairs. Can you share with us the time, location and issues to be discussed? 

Mao Ning: As agreed by the two sides, China and Japan will hold the 15th round of high-level consultations on maritime affairs in Tokyo on April 10. Officials on both sides from departments responsible for foreign affairs, defense, maritime law enforcement, marine management and so on will attend the event.

The high-level consultations are conducted as a comprehensive mechanism of communication and coordination for maritime affairs between China and Japan. We look forward to a thorough exchange of views on bilateral maritime issues with the Japanese side to increase mutual understanding and trust, properly manage differences and disputes, and advance practical cooperation in the maritime field.

Beijing Youth Daily: According to an article by The New York Times, the US government, through a front company, finalized a secret contract with NSO Group, an Israeli hacking firm, in 2021. Under the arrangement, NSO gave the US government access to its geolocation tool Landmark, which can covertly track mobile phones around the world without the phone user’s knowledge or consent. Sources say the US has used Landmark to conduct thousands of queries in Mexico. However, President Biden signed an executive order further cracking down on the use of commercial spyware just last week. Some say the US government’s acts once again laid bare the hypocrisy of the US’s claim that it is a defender of global cybersecurity. Do you have any comment?

Mao Ning: The US government, in an attempt to maintain its hegemony in cyberspace, knowingly abuses technology for cyber surveillance and theft of secrets under the cover of front companies and conducts indiscriminate surveillance and theft of secrets on other countries, including its allies, which seriously harms other countries’ sovereignty and the privacy of global internet users. At the same time, the US government frames the innocent and suppresses and sanctions foreign companies under the pretexts of national security and human rights without any evidence.

The latest revelation once again proves that the US’s theft of secrets is the biggest threat to global cybersecurity. The US needs to reflect upon its practice, stop its global hacking operations, stop confounding public opinion with disinformation, and stop charging down the wrong and dangerous path.

Reuters: Canada said on Thursday that it will deploy a military aircraft to Japan to support with the implementation of UN sanctions against North Korea. Does China have any comment?

Mao Ning: I want to stress that UN Security Council resolutions have never authorized any country to deploy military power for surveillance activities in waters and air under the jurisdiction of other countries under the reason of monitoring violations of UN resolutions.

AFP: According to Taiwan authorities, China sent warships and aircraft near the island today for the second day. This happened after the meeting between the Taiwan region leader with the US House Speaker. Can you confirm that and give us some details? 

Mao Ning: China will take resolute measures to safeguard our sovereignty and territorial integrity. I would refer you to the Ministry of National Defence of China for your specific question. 

Kyodo News: We have noted that when meeting a Japanese political figure today, Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao said that there is mounting evidence supporting the suspicion that the Japanese national recently detained in Beijing engaged in espionage activities. At the same time, there are voices of concern across the Japanese business community over the lack of transparency and openness regarding the procedures and other aspects of the case as it concerns national security. Can you reveal the exact reason for his detention?

Mao Ning: We have shared information on the case several times recently. Relevant Chinese authorities adopted compulsory measures in accordance with the criminal procedure law against the Japanese citizen suspected of engaging in espionage activities. In accordance with relevant international conventions and the China-Japan Consular Agreement, the Chinese side has arranged for a timely consular visit by officials of the Japanese Embassy in China to this individual. China is a country under the rule of law. The case concerned will be handled in accordance with the law and the lawful rights and interests of the people concerned will be protected accordingly. All companies and individuals need to abide by host country laws. As long as one operates within the law, there is nothing to worry about.

NBC: There is one argument prevailing in the US and other countries that it is not quite right for China to claim sovereignty over the “island democracy” of Taiwan, and that defending Taiwan is defending Taiwan’s democracy. How do you view this issue? 

Mao Ning: The Taiwan question is not about democracy, but about China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. The sovereignty and territory of China have never been divided and shall never be divided. Some countries hype up the false narrative of “democracy versus autocracy”, connive at and support “Taiwan independence” separatist forces in the name of democracy, and use the Taiwan question to contain China. Such moves are highly dangerous and will get nowhere. The future of Taiwan lies in China’s reunification, and the wellbeing of the people in Taiwan hinges on the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The difference in systems across the Strait is not a barrier to reunification or an excuse for division. Peaceful reunification and One Country, Two Systems takes Taiwan’s realities into full account and helps Taiwan achieve longstanding peace and stability after reunification. It is the basic principle for resolving the Taiwan question and the best way to realize national reunification.