Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun’s Regular Press Conference on February 20, 2025
Global Times: I’ve learned that the marine life samples that Chinese scientists had collected arrived in China. Could China confirm it?
Guo Jiakun: The discharge of the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water into the sea involves many aspects. It is a complex and highly scientific issue. To fully assess the impact of the discharge in a science-based way, Chinese scientists, organized by the IAEA, collected different kinds of samples, including the seawater and marine life samples in the vicinity of the discharge outlets and the nuclear-contaminated water to be discharged at the discharge facility of the power plant. China will continue to work with the international community to improve relevant arrangement.
Recently, the marine life samples that Chinese scientists had collected arrived in China. Rigorous independent testing and analysis are being carried out by professional Chinese research institutes, and results will be released in a timely manner.
AFP: There are reports today that Chinese citizens involved in scam centers are being repatriated from Thailand. Can the Foreign Ministry confirm that they have already arrived back in China and also could you provide more information?
Guo Jiakun: Fighting online gambling and scam demonstrates our commitment to the people-centered development philosophy. It is also a must choice for safeguarding the common interests of regional countries, and meets the shared aspiration of the people of all countries. China is carrying out active bilateral and multilateral cooperation with countries including Thailand and Myanmar. We have adopted various means to address both symptoms and the root cause and worked together to prevent lawbreakers from crossing borders, so as to jointly eradicate the problems of online gambling and scam, safeguard the life and property of the people, and uphold the order of exchanges between regional countries. As for your specific question, I’d refer you to competent Chinese authorities.
Reuters: President Trump has called President Zelenskyy a “dictator.” Does China agree with President Trump’s description of President Zelenskyy? Does China believe that Ukraine should hold elections when Zelenskyy’s term ends in May?
Guo Jiakun: China’s position on the Ukraine crisis is consistent and clear.
Reuters: The G20 meeting of foreign ministers is kicking off in South Africa today, but Secretary Rubio is skipping it because the U.S. administration is not interested in the agenda set by South Africa. Should we expect to see the U.S. further pulling away from groups like G20 this year? Will G20 become G19? How will China step up and assert its leadership in the absence of the U.S.?
Guo Jiakun: We will not comment on the decisions made by the US. We have released information on Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s attendance at the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in South Africa. We believe that as the premier platform for international economic cooperation, the G20 needs to advocate the spirit of partnership, pool efforts to promote global economic growth, set the pace in making global governance more just and equitable, and help countries achieve common development and prosperity. China will continue to support South Africa’s G20 Presidency.
Reuters: I just want to follow up on my colleague’s question about President Trump’s statements on China yesterday. He also said yesterday that he expected the Chinese leader to visit the United States without giving a timeline. Finally, he also said that he was speaking with China on TikTok without elaborating. Could the Foreign Ministry provide more information?
Guo Jiakun: China’s U.S. policy is consistent and clear. We stand ready to work with the U.S. for steady, sound and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations under the principle of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation. We hope that the U.S. will earnestly act on the important common understandings reached between the two presidents in their phone call, and work with China in the same direction.
On TikTok-related issues, we’ve made clear more than once our principled position.
Reuters: A U.S. government source said that the United States will not be sending a delegation to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change meeting in Hangzhou next week. What is China’s response?
Guo Jiakun: I’m not familiar with what you mentioned. China’s position on climate change is consistent and clear. We will continue to fulfill our climate pledges and actively contribute our part to the joint global response to climate change, a challenge faced by all.
Reuters: The U.S. State Department has revised its China fact sheet, which is now an expanded section on economic ties emphasizing the U.S.-China trade deficit, China’s alleged unfair competition practices and U.S. firms’ concerns over operating in China. This fact sheet has also dropped all references to aid in China and working with allies on China. Does the Foreign Ministry have any comment on this change of language?
Guo Jiakun: The changes made by the U.S. State Department on its “U.S.-China Relations” page and “U.S. Relations With China” fact sheet misrepresent the facts, attack China’s foreign policy, and peddle the so-called China-U.S. strategic competition. We strongly deplore and firmly oppose it.
China’s U.S. policy is consistent and clear. We are committed to viewing and developing China-U.S. ties in line with the three principles put forth by President Xi Jinping, namely mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation. We are equally determined to defend our sovereignty, security and development interest.
We urge the U.S. to act on the important common understandings reached by the two presidents during their phone call, stop misleading the U.S. people and the international community, stop smearing and putting pressure on China, view and handle China-U.S. relations in an objective and rational way, and jointly promote the steady, sound and sustainable development of China-U.S. relationship.
