Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun’s Regular Press Conference on March 13, 2026

At the invitation of the Vietnamese side, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, Member of the CPC Central Committee Secretariat and Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong, and Minister of National Defense Dong Jun will be in Viet Nam from March 15 to 17 for the first ministerial meeting of the China-Viet Nam "3+3" strategic dialogue on diplomacy, defense and public security. While in Viet Nam, Wang Yi will co-chair the 17th meeting of the China-Viet Nam Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation with leader from the Vietnamese side. 

China News Service: To follow up on your announcement about the first ministerial meeting of the China-Viet Nam "3+3" strategic dialogue on diplomacy, defense and public security and the 17th meeting of the China-Viet Nam Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation, can you share the arrangements about the meetings and China's expectation? How does China view the current China-Viet Nam relations?

Guo Jiakun: China and Viet Nam are friendly socialist neighbors and a community with a shared future that carries strategic significance. Under the personal guidance of the top leaders of the two parties and two countries, China and Viet Nam established the "3+3" strategic dialogue on diplomacy, defense and public security and set it as a mechanism at the ministerial level. This is the first "3+3" mechanism each side established with other countries, and this fully demonstrates the strategic significance and high level of the relations between the two parties and two countries. The China-Viet Nam Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation, since its launch in 2006, has enabled closer coordination between the two countries and played an important role for the improvement and upgrade of the comprehensive strategic cooperation.

After the convening of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) in January this year, General Secretary and President Xi Jinping had a phone call with General Secretary of the CPV Central Committee To Lam. They agreed to make the first ministerial meeting of the "3+3" mechanism and the 17th meeting of the Steering Committee great success. Amid transformations and turbulence in the world, closer strategic communication and deeper strategic coordination between China and Viet Nam, two major socialist countries, is needed to accelerate the building of the China-Viet Nam community with a shared future, advance both countries' modernization drive, and jointly address common challenges.

During the meeting of the "3+3" mechanism, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Public Security Minister Wang Xiaohong and Defense Minister Dong Jun will have in-depth exchanges of views with the Vietnamese side on political and security issues, cooperation on fighting crimes, defense cooperation, and the international and regional situation. After the meeting, they will have a group meeting with the leaders of the CPV and the Vietnamese government. At the 17th meeting of the Steering Committee, the two sides will, focusing on the six overarching goals of building closer bilateral relations, discuss detailed measures on deepening the building of the China-Viet Nam community with a shared future, advance political cooperation and cooperation in areas of connectivity, trade, investment, and cultural and people-to-people exchange, and provide stronger impetus for regional stability and development through consistent China-Viet Nam cooperation.

China stands ready to work with Viet Nam, under the strategic guidance of the top leaders of the two parties and two countries, to ensure both high-quality development and high-level security, make the two meetings successful, and deepen and enrich the comprehensive strategic cooperation, so as to bring more benefit to the two peoples and make greater contribution to regional peace, stability, development and prosperity.

CCTV: As China's "two sessions" successfully concluded, a major focus of attention for international media is the 15th Five-Year Plan. Some commented that China's well-targeted policies provide stable prospects for the market and set an example as a sophisticated economy. The 15th Five-Year Plan is expected to enable the Global South with helpful experience and China will become a stable force underpinning global growth and inject certainty to the turbulent world. What's your comment?

Guo Jiakun: China's annual "two sessions" received worldwide attention. They are an important window for countries hoping to learn about China and better understand its path, governance and philosophy.

What drew the most attention during this year's "two sessions" is the adoption of the outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan, which kick-starts the continuous effort to advance Chinese modernization. The formulation and implementation of five-year plans is a distinctive strength of China's governance and a practical example of China's whole-process people's democracy. China's development experience fully shows that only through unity and perseverance, can we pool strength and turn visions into reality.

The 15th Five-Year Plan is the "construction design" for China's modernization drive and an "invitation letter" to countries to jointly pursue modernization. China will stay committed to high-quality development and high-standard opening up, speeding up the effort of building self-reliance and strength in science and technology, and not only tapping into our greatest potential as "the world's factory" but also working to be "the world's market." China's effort of fostering new quality productive forces will provide new, stable and predictable impetus for the world economy.

The more volatile and turbulent the international landscape becomes, the greater the need for countries, especially major countries, to uphold justice and shoulder responsibilities. A fast-growing and well-directed China pursuing stable progress responds to the need of the times and creates opportunities for the world. During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, China will strive to build a community with a shared future for humanity, be the most important force for peace, stability and justice in the world, and work with the rest of the world to forge ahead through win-win cooperation and make greater contribution to human progress.

Asharq News: China has approved its 15th Five-Year Development Plan. What strategies will be adopted to address the challenges posed by geopolitical conflicts under the current international situation?

Guo Jiakun: The world is in a new period of turbulence and transformation and faces the compounded impact of geopolitical conflicts and hotspot issues. The number of global conflicts has reached a new high since the end of World War II. Confronted with challenges facing all countries, President Xi Jinping put forward the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, which points the way forward. China remains of the view that military force is not the solution and armed conflicts will only breed new hatred. Only by upholding sovereign equality, fairness and justice, solidarity and coordination, and an action-oriented approach, can countries jointly build a world of common security for all.

China has entered the 15th Five-Year Plan period. As the world's most important force for peace, stability and justice, China stands ready to work with all peace-loving countries and people committed to development to advance the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative to jointly build a community with a shared future for humanity and create a bright future of peace and development for the world.

Bloomberg: We see a report that says a major U.S. arms package for Taiwan is ready for President Trump to approve and could be signed right after his trip to China. Would you like to comment on this?

Guo Jiakun: China's firm opposition to U.S. arms sales to China's Taiwan region is consistent and clear. The U.S. needs to earnestly abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques, especially the August 17 Communique of 1982, stop arms sales to Taiwan, and take concrete actions to uphold the steady growth of China-US relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

AFP: Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent are scheduled to meet in Paris this weekend for trade talks. What will they discuss and what are China's expectations for this meeting?

Guo Jiakun: China has made the announcement on the sixth round of China-U.S. economic and trade consultation, which you may refer to. For anything specific, I'd refer you to competent authorities.

Beijing Youth Daily: The U.S. and Israel launched military strikes on Iran on February 28. Media reports say that air strikes on Shajarah Tayyebeh primary school in Iran's Hormozgan province killed over 160 girls. Is China considering providing humanitarian assistance to Iran?

Guo Jiakun: China condemns all indiscriminate attacks against civilians and non-military targets. Attacks on schools and harm to the children in particular seriously violate the international humanitarian law and breach the fundamental principles of human conscience. We deeply mourn for the students from Shajarah Tayyebeh primary school in Iran's Hormozgan province and extend sincere sympathies to their families. The Red Cross Society of China has decided to provide the Red Crescent Society of Iran with US$200,000 in emergency humanitarian assistance as special funds to support the bereaved parents. China stands ready to continue providing necessary assistance to Iran in a humanitarian spirit to help the Iranian people get through this difficult time.

Xinhua News Agency: Media reports citing sources connected to the U.S. government say the U.S. side hopes that China will release Lai Chee-ying on humanitarian grounds. In return, the US is willing to consider easing some of its Hong Kong-related sanctions on China. What's your comment on this? 

Guo Jiakun: Lai Chee-ying is the principal mastermind and perpetrator behind the series of riots that shook Hong Kong. His moves seriously breached the principles and bottom line of One Country, Two Systems, endangered national security and hurt Hong Kong's prosperity and stability and Hong Kong residents' wellbeing. There is every reason to bring him to justice.

Hong Kong upholds the rule of law. No one should harbor the illusion of engaging in unlawful and criminal activities there with impunity. The central government firmly supports the Hong Kong SAR government in punishing criminal activities that endanger national security in accordance with the law and firmly rejects external forces' interference in Hong Kong's judicial affairs and China's internal affairs.

China has rejected from the very beginning the illicit unilateral sanctions imposed by the U.S. on officials representing the central government in Hong Kong and officials of the Hong Kong SAR government. Our position remains consistent and clear. 

Asharq News: Saudi Arabia says several intercepted Iranian drones (more than 70) were targeting the Shaybah oilfield which is known as a supplier to Asian markets. What is your comment on the continued attacks on this facility?

Guo Jiakun: China is gravely concerned over the continuous tensions in the Middle East. China believes that all countries' sovereignty, security and territorial integrity should be respected and brook no infringement and condemns any indiscriminate attacks against civilians and non-military targets. All parties should immediately stop the military operations, return to dialogue and negotiation as soon as possible, avoid the ongoing escalation of the situation, and prevent the conflict from spreading and spilling over.

Reuters: It was reported that India has requested that the Chinese government issue some export quotas for urea to help India make up for the supplies that were lost because of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Given the recent improvement of diplomatic ties between the two countries, will China give serious consideration to this request?

Guo Jiakun: I'd refer you to competent authorities.

Kyodo News: The Trump administration reportedly said yesterday that it's opening new investigations into issues concerning forced labor in countries including China. What's your comment on this?

Guo Jiakun: When it comes to handling economic and trade issues between China and the U.S., China's position is consistent and clear. We oppose any form of unilateral tariff measures. Tariff and trade wars serve no one's interests. The two sides need to resolve relevant issues through consultation on the basis of equality, respect and mutual benefit. The so-called issue of "force labor" is U.S.-made disinformation and should not be used as a pretext for political manipulation. 

Bloomberg: The U.S., Japan and the European Union is set to announce plans in the coming weeks to lay the foundation for a trade agreement in critical minerals. Beijing earlier threatened to retaliate against the formation of this kind of block. Would the Ministry like to comment on the plans for this?

Guo Jiakun: An open and inclusive international trade environment beneficial to all serves the common interests of all countries. All parties have the responsibility to play a constructive role in keeping global industrial and supply chains on critical minerals stable and secure. Meanwhile, we oppose countries using rules of small groupings to undermine international economic and trade order.