CCTV: Yesterday, the China-EU Summit was held in Beijing. How does China view this summit? Before the summit, relevant EU chief said they will continue to express concerns on the rebalancing of trade ties and other issues. Any progress on that?

Guo Jiakun: This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-EU diplomatic ties. Yesterday, President Xi Jinping met with European Council President Antonio Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen who were on a visit to China. Together with the two EU leaders, Premier Li Qiang co-chaired the 25th China-EU Summit. Leaders of the two sides had long, in-depth and candid talks, and exchanged views on strategic issues concerning bilateral relations, specific issues in China-EU cooperation, and international hotspots of mutual concern.

President Xi Jinping summarized the important experience and lessons from the 50-year-long development of bilateral relations. He pointed out that mutual respect, seeking common ground while shelving differences, open cooperation and mutual benefits are the important principles and direction of efforts for developing China-EU relations in the future. President Xi Jinping put forward three propositions on the future development of China-EU relations. We should uphold mutual respect, consolidate partnership, uphold open cooperation, properly handle frictions and differences, practice multilateralism and safeguard international rules and order. Premier Li Qiang stressed that as long as both China and the EU earnestly uphold free trade, the international economy and trade will stay dynamic. As long as both sides firmly practice multilateralism, the trend towards a multipolar world will continue to strengthen.

Important common understandings were reached at the summit. Both sides attach importance to China-EU ties, and agreed to uphold and deepen partnership, maintain strategic communication, enhance understanding and mutual trust, and write a more splendid chapter in the next 50 years of China-EU relations. Both sides agreed to maintain open cooperation, broaden ties in trade and investment, and achieve more positive results of cooperation. Both sides expressed their commitment to properly addressing trade frictions and differences through dialogue and consultation, and their opposition to decoupling and the severing of industrial and supply chains. Both sides agreed to jointly safeguard the international rules and order established after World War II, uphold multilateralism and free trade, support the peaceful settlement of international disputes through political means, jointly address global challenges, and make new contributions to world peace and development.

The two sides issued a joint statement on climate change. They stressed that the China-EU green partnership is an important part of the China-EU partnership, which demonstrates the willingness and joint efforts of the two sides to address climate change, achieve green development, and make the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Belém a full success. Both sides agreed to forge an “upgraded version” of the China-EU export control dialogue mechanism, have timely communication on each other’s concerns, and jointly keep the industrial and supply chains between China and Europe stable and unimpeded.

As in any bilateral relations, differences do exist between China and the EU. On economic and trade issues which are of concern to the EU, China shared its position in a comprehensive, patient, in-depth and detailed way with a friendly, respectful and candid attitude. China stressed that the China-EU economic and trade relations are mutually complementary and win-win in nature. There should and can well be a dynamic equilibrium formed in the interactions. China is committed to realizing the sustainable and balanced growth of trade with the EU. We are willing to import more quality products from the EU that meet China’s market demand, and hope the EU will ease restrictions on high-tech exports to China.

China stressed that whether there is overcapacity should be determined in the global context and by the market. Take the new energy vehicle industry as an example. The International Energy Agency estimated that there will be a shortage of 27 million new energy vehicles globally by 2030. China’s new energy capacity is advanced capacity that can bridge the world’s “green gap.” It is contribution, not “excess.” The false “Chinese overcapacity” narrative reflects an incomplete understanding of the relations between supply and demand in a globalized market, and is just a pretext for protectionist measures.

China reiterated that China’s industrial subsidy policy follows the principles of openness, fairness, and compliance, and strictly adheres to the WTO rules. Industrial subsidy policies are widely adopted in countries around the world. The EU itself has provided a large amount of subsidies for the development of relevant industries, and should not apply double standards on this issue.

On Ukraine, China pointed out that the Ukraine issue is not and should not become an issue between China and the EU. We reiterated our consistent and clear position of promoting talks for peace and a political settlement, and expressed our willingness to maintain communication with the EU. China also made clear its strong position on the EU’s sanctions on Chinese companies citing Russia-related factors. The two sides agreed to enhance understanding and trust through dialogue and properly handle relevant issues.

Overall speaking, this summit is positive and constructive. It is conducive to enhancing mutual understanding and trust, and creating more favorable conditions for future cooperation. China hopes the EU will work with China in the same direction to jointly usher in an even brighter future for the bilateral relations.

AFP: French President Emmanuel Macron said yesterday that France will formally recognize the Palestinian State during a UN meeting in September. Does the Foreign Ministry have a comment on this?

Guo Jiakun: The Palestinian question is at the heart of the Middle East situation. The only viable way to resolve it lies in the two-State solution. China supports the upcoming UN high-level conference on the implementation of the two-State solution. We will continue working with the other member states to end the Gaza conflict, ease the humanitarian crisis, implement the two-State solution, and realize the full, just and lasting settlement of the Palestinian question.

AFP: U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told a media outlet yesterday that TikTok will go down for Americans unless China agrees to give the U.S. more control over the app. Does the Foreign Ministry have a comment on this?

Guo Jiakun: We have stated our principled position on TikTok on multiple occasions.

Al Jazeera: We know how the humanitarian situation in Gaza is getting worse and worse. Now the issue is that people are dying of hunger, not only of bombing. What should be done by the international community at least to help those people who are under the siege as the material access and the aid which is on the border cannot go to them since weeks or months ago?

Guo Jiakun: China closely follows the current situation in Gaza. We hope relevant parties will reach a ceasefire and deescalate the situation as soon as possible, and effectively alleviate the humanitarian crisis.