CCTV: China just announced that President of the Swiss Confederation Guy Parmelin will visit China. How does China view its relations with Switzerland? What’s China’s expectation of this visit?
Guo Jiakun: We welcome President of the Swiss Confederation Guy Parmelin to visit China. President Xi Jinping will meet with him.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of China-Switzerland innovative strategic partnership. At present, China-Switzerland relations maintain sound growth momentum, with fruitful cooperation in various areas. In particular, our cooperation on free trade has become the biggest highlight of the bilateral ties. Switzerland is the first country on the European continent to sign a free trade agreement with China. Since its entry into effect over a decade ago, the agreement has greatly facilitated the business exchanges between the two countries. In August this year, Switzerland became the first European country to complete the negotiations on an upgrade of the free trade agreement with China. China will work with Switzerland to bring more benefits to our two peoples, more convenience to our business communities, and more certainty to the growth of world economy through stable China-Switzerland relations.
Reuters: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called on European and Asian middle powers to build a strategic alliance in trade, technology and security in his speech in Singapore yesterday. And even though he warned that a full economic decoupling from China would be “a mistake,” he said that Europe and Asia must reduce “unhealthy, one-sided dependencies.” On Germany’s policy towards China, he described it as “coming of age” and aligned with the EU. On all these points that Mr. Merz made, what is the foreign ministry’s comment?
Guo Jiakun: China stands for openness and cooperation, and stays committed to working with all parties to keep global industrial and supply chains stable and secure and inject more impetus and certainty into world economy. Between China and Germany and between China and Europe, there is a high degree of economic complementarity. Our industries are mutually embedded and our practical cooperation is mutually beneficial. It is hoped that Germany and the EU will stay objective and rational, and work in the same direction with China, so that we can be each other’s trustworthy and predictable partners, resolve differences and disputes through dialogue and consultation, keep the global industrial and supply chains stable and unimpeded, and provide more certainty for cooperation between our business communities.
AFP: French football star Kylian Mbappé apologized on Tuesday. He said his comments were “ill-judged,” and he now understands that “it hurt many people in China and in Chinese communities around the world.” What is the foreign ministry think of his apology? (Similar question from Reuters)
Guo Jiakun: We take seriously the apology he has made.
China-Arab TV: On October 27 local time, Yemen’s Houthis claimed to have hit Saudi Arabia’s defence ministry building, airport and oil refinery in the capital with ballistic missiles and drones. What is China’s comment?
Guo Jiakun: China is deeply concerned over the continued tensions in the region. We oppose attacks against civilian airports and other civilian facilities, and call on relevant parties to resolve disputes through dialogue and negotiation and restore peace and tranquility to the Middle East at an early date.
