CCTV: Today marks the 20th anniversary of the coronation of King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia. It’s reported that to celebrate the anniversary, Cambodia has started the three-day national commemoration events from October 28. What’s China’s comment?
Lin Jian: Warm congratulations on the 20th anniversary of the coronation of King Norodom Sihamoni. President Xi Jinping has sent a congratulatory message to him. Since the coronation, King Norodom Sihamoni has made great contributions to Cambodia’s peace, stability, development, prosperity and international exchanges. We believe that with the blessing of His Majesty The King, the hard-working and talented Cambodian people will create a better future for the country.
King Norodom Sihamoni has fully carried on the legacy of King Father Norodom Sihanouk and remains committed to the China-Cambodia traditional friendship. Under the guidance of President Xi Jinping and His Majesty The King, the two countries have entered a new era of building a high-quality, high-level and high-standard China-Cambodia community with a shared future, achieved solid outcomes under the “diamond hexagon” bilateral cooperation framework, made progress on the building of the “industrial development corridor” and the “fish and rice corridor,” and made the China-Cambodia People-to-People Exchange Year a great success, which delivered tangibly for the two peoples.
China attaches great importance to its relations with Cambodia and cherishes its traditional friendship with the Cambodian royal family. We stand ready to work with Cambodia to carry forward the traditional friendship, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, step up people-to-people and cultural exchanges and make new progress in the building of the China-Cambodia community with a shared future.
AFP: North Korea’s Foreign Minister is visiting Russia where about 10,000 North Korean troops are training, according to US security officials. Officials also say North Korean troops, including high-ranking generals, could move to the front lines of Russia’s war in Ukraine within the coming weeks. Does China have any comment on the military cooperation which South Korea has called a significant security threat to the international community?
Lin Jian: China’s position on the Ukraine crisis is consistent and clear. Let me stress that China calls for all parties to deescalate the situation and strive for the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis. This position remains unchanged. China will continue to play a constructive role to this end.
Dragon TV: According to reports, Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream Party claimed victory in a parliamentary election on December 26. But the opposition refused to recognize the result, which they said had been rigged. What is China’s comment?
Lin Jian: We noted that the election in Georgia has been held smoothly. China as always respects the choice of the Georgian people and sincerely hopes for stability and prosperity in Georgia. China stands ready to work with Georgia to continuously move forward bilateral relations.
KBS: KBS reported yesterday that a Korean national has been detained in China on suspicion of violating China’s anti-espionage law, the first time for a South Korean in such a case. Could the Foreign Ministry confirm this? What state is he in? Has the South Korean government talked to the Chinese government on the release of this person?
Lin Jian: This national of the Republic of Korea (ROK) has been arrested by relevant Chinese authorities in accordance with the law on suspicion of espionage. The authorities in charge have sent consular notification to the ROK Embassy in China and will provide necessary facilitation for its consular officials to perform their consular duties. China is a country that upholds the rule of law. We probe and handle illegal and criminal activities in accordance with the law and protect the lawful rights of the person concerned.
Nikkei: I’d like to ask a question about DPRK’s deployment of troops to Russia. Yesterday NATO said it has confirmed the deployment of DPRK troops to western Russia. Could you share the information that China has now? The deployment of DPRK troops could further escalate tensions in Ukraine and on the Korean Peninsula. What role will China play in deescalating the situation?
Lin Jian: As I just said, China’s position on the Ukraine crisis is consistent and clear. Let me stress again that China calls on all parties to deescalate the situation and strive for the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis. This position remains unchanged. China will continue to play a constructive role to this end.
On the situation on the Korean Peninsula, we have also made our position clear more than once. China has all along believed that keeping the Korean Peninsula peaceful and stable, and promoting the political resolution of the Peninsula issue is in the interest of all parties. China hopes all parties will work constructively to this end.
Bloomberg: The Biden administration has finalized restrictions on investments by US individuals and companies into advanced tech in China. This includes the semiconductor, quantum computing and AI sectors. Would the Foreign Ministry like to respond?
Lin Jian: China deplores and rejects the US’s Final Rule to curb investment in China. China has protested to the US and will take all measures necessary to firmly defend its lawful rights and interests.
Bloomberg: Taiwan’s “ministry of defense” has signed formal agreements with the US allowing it to buy attack drones from two companies. This is to aid in the island’s defense. Would the Foreign Ministry like to comment on this deal?
Lin Jian: Taiwan is a province of China and there is no such thing as “Taiwan’s ministry of defense.” China’s firm opposition to the military contact between the US and Taiwan is consistent and clear. The two US companies you mentioned and relevant senior executives in charge are under sanctions by China.
NHK: White House spokesperson said the US has discussed with China the deployment of North Korean forces in Russia. Do you have anything to share with us about this discussion with the US?
Lin Jian: I’ m not familiar with that. China’s position on the Ukraine crisis and the Korean Peninsula issue is consistent.
BRTV: It was reported that the Thai government will invite the sacred Buddha tooth relic from Lingguang Temple in Beijing to Thailand for enshrinement. Can you confirm this and share some comment?
Lin Jian: At the invitation of the Thai government and in celebration of the sixth-cycle or 72nd birthday of King of Thailand Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and the 50th anniversary of China-Thailand diplomatic relations in 2025, China agreed to convey the sacred Buddha tooth relic from Lingguang Temple in Beijing to Bangkok for 73-days enshrinement from December 2024 to February 2025.
Since the founding of New China, the sacred Buddha tooth relic has been conveyed overseas six times and received extensive welcome from Buddhist followers in countries inviting the relic. We believe that the enshrinement of the relic in Thailand will contribute to closer exchanges between the Chinese and Thai Buddhist communities, enrich the culture of the China-Thailand community with a shared future, and strengthen the familial bond between the Chinese and the Thai people.
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