Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning’s Regular Press Conference on March 11, 2025

AFP: Rodrigo Duterte, the former president of the Philippines, was arrested in Manila today. What’s China’s response?

Mao Ning: This is an important sudden incident. China has noted the news and is closely following how this might develop. I would like to reiterate China’s consistent view that the International Criminal Court should strictly follow the principle of complementarity, exercise its functions and powers prudently in accordance with the law and prevent politicization or double standards.

Beijing Daily: There is a lot of attention on the Report on the Work of the Government, which was released during China’s two sessions, setting this year’s economic growth target at around 5 percent and outlining the task of expanding high-standard opening up. With the world economy in the doldrums, how will China make new contribution to global development?

Mao Ning: Opening up is where China’s economic vitality comes from and China’s firm commitment to the world. This year’s Report on the Work of the Government made it clear that regardless of changes in the external environment, China will remain steadfast in its commitment to opening up, steadily expand institutional opening up and take the initiative to open wider and advance unilateral opening up in a well-ordered way.

We will bolster policies for stabilizing foreign trade. We will promote innovation-driven development of trade in services, cultivate new growth drivers, such as green trade and digital trade, host major trade events to high standards, such as the China International Import Expo, the China Import and Export Fair, the China International Fair for Trade in Services, the Global Digital Trade Expo, and the China International Consumer Products Expo. We will vigorously encourage foreign investment. We will open internet-related, cultural, and other sectors in a well-regulated way and expand trials to open sectors such as telecommunications, medical services, and education. We will strive for solid progress in pursuing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. We will ensure the stable and smooth operation of China-Europe freight trains, accelerate the development of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, and improve the layout of international cooperation in industrial and supply chains. We will deepen multilateral, bilateral, and regional economic cooperation. We will resolutely safeguard the WTO-centered multilateral trading system, broaden converging interests with other countries, and promote shared development.

China will continue to serve as an enabler of global prosperity through its high-quality development and high-standard opening up, and provide new key driving force for global economic recovery and development.

Kyodo News: Chinese Ambassador to Japan told Hong Kong media in an interview during the two sessions that China will participate in this year’s China-Japan-ROK summit to be held in Japan. Can you confirm that Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit Tokyo in March and attend the China-Japan-ROK foreign ministers’ meeting?

Mao Ning: China attaches importance to China-Japan-ROK cooperation. We maintain communication with Japan and the ROK on affairs related to the China-Japan-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. On your specific question, I have no information to share at the moment.

China News Service: Recently, the head of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) wrote on social media that because of the U.S. funding freezing, the institute lacks anti-China materials and cannot produce contents attacking China, urging the U.S. or other organizations to immediately fund relevant anti-China agenda. What’s your comment?

Mao Ning: We noted relevant report. The so-called research institute from Australia that you mentioned has long been funded by the U.S. defense and diplomatic agencies and arms dealers. It serves the interests of its donors and has propagated a long list of lies against China. Its so-called “research findings” lack basic factual grounds and have been proved as disinformation many times, which clearly violates the professional ethics of academic research. There is no credibility to speak of for this so-called institute.

What the head of the institute revealed on social media exposes once again its hypocrisy of creating lies and spreading disinformation to vilify China with funding from the U.S. It is hoped that people in Australia and the international community will see clearly what kind of institute ASPI really is, and join the voices denouncing and resisting its disinformation campaigns.

AFP: According to the South China Morning Post, U.S. and Chinese presidents could meet next month in China. Is that true?

Mao Ning: I have no information to read out on that.

Kyodo News: It will have been nearly two years since a Japanese employee of the drugmaker Astellas Pharma was detained on suspicion of espionage. This has raised concerns in the Japanese business community. According to the 2024 data of balance of payments, foreign direct investment (FDI) in China plunged year-on-year, and some commentators said that this is because of the impact of the counterespionage law. What’s your view on this?

Mao Ning: For the specifics on the case you mentioned, I’d like to refer you to the competent authorities.

On China’s Counterespionage Law, let me point out that it’s a universal practice for countries to safeguard national security through domestic legislation. All the law enforcement and judicial activities of China are carried out based on facts and in accordance with China’s laws. Companies that operate lawfully and people who act in accordance with the law have nothing to worry about.

Regarding the FDI statistics you mentioned, I’m not sure the figure you quoted is accurate or not. An official from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange shared information on the subject recently, which you may refer to. Let me say that China is committed to high-standard opening up and will continue to build a market-oriented, law-based and world-class business environment and provide quality services to foreign investors including those from Japan.

Bloomberg: We have sources telling us that Chinese officials are having difficulty getting guidance from the U.S. side on how to stop President Trump from increasing tariffs. Can I get a reaction from you?

Mao Ning: The U.S. is bent on using the fentanyl issue as an excuse to impose additional tariffs twice on Chinese imports. China has made clear its opposition more than once. Our countermeasures are legitimate and necessary in safeguarding our rights and interests. If harming China’s interests is what the U.S. wants, China will take resolute countermeasures. If the U.S. truly wants to solve the issue, then the right thing to do is to consult with China on the basis of equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit to address each other’s concerns.

AFP: So U.S. and Ukrainian officials are meeting today in Saudi Arabia for talks. Ukraine will propose its own ceasefire deal. What is China’s expectation for the meeting?

Mao Ning: China supports all efforts conducive to the peaceful settlement of the crisis. We hope that parties can find a just and lasting solution that is acceptable to all sides. China is ready to work with the international community, and continue to play a constructive role for the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis.

Reuters: The 14th Dalai Lama has published a new book. He says that his successor will be born outside of China. He writes that the campaign for the freedom of the Tibetan people would continue no matter what, even after his death. Do you have any comment on his comments in the book?

Mao Ning: The 14th Dalai Lama is a political exile engaged in separatist activities under the guise of religion. He has absolutely no right to represent the people in Xizang.

Xizang enjoys a booming economy, stable society, flourishing culture and better life for its people. This is seen by many in the international community.

The reincarnation of Living Buddhas is unique to Tibetan Buddhism. It follows established religious rituals and historical conventions. The Dalai Lama’s lineage, formed in Xizang, China, and religious standing and title which were affirmed by the central government, date back several hundred years. The 14th Dalai Lama himself was found and confirmed in line with this set of rituals and conventions and was approved by the then central government. The Chinese government issued Regulations on Religious Affairs and Measures on the Management of the Reincarnation of Living Buddhas, and respects and protects this method of succession. The reincarnation of Living Buddhas including the Dalai Lama must comply with Chinese laws and regulations as well as religious rituals and historical conventions, and follow the process that consists of search and identification in China, lot-drawing from a golden urn, and central government approval.

AFP: UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said that China is conducting “dangerous and destabilizing” activity in the South China Sea. He said that just after a visit to the Philippines. Do you have any comments on his remarks?

Mao Ning: The South China Sea is one of the safest and freest waterways in the world. As a country outside the region, the UK should respect China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, and refrain from heightening antagonism and sowing discord.