Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun’s Regular Press Conference on July 2, 2026

On behalf of China, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress He Wei will attend the funeral of Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran on July 3.

Global Times: We have noted that since this year, Prime Minister of Japan Sanae Takaichi has frequently mentioned the so-called new version of the "Free and Open Indo-Pacific." On the visits to the Philippines, Viet Nam, Australia and other countries, Japanese officials at various levels have lobbied extensively for this concept. Sanae Takaichi once again stressed the building a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" when visiting India. Do you have a comment on this?

Guo Jiakun: The concept carries the words "free and open," but in fact sows division and rivalry. This sugarcoated scheme goes against the regional countries' shared aspirations for peace, development and cooperation. It will never win genuine recognition.

The Asia-Pacific needs stability over turbulence, and values cooperation over division. Safeguarding postwar international order and purposes and principles of the UN Charter is the foundation of the prosperity and stability in the Asia Pacific, as well as the shared responsibility of regional countries. For some moves that create division and provoke confrontation, it is more imperative than ever for regional countries to stay clear-eyed, unite as one, uphold the right course of Asia-Pacific cooperation, enhance mutual trust through dialogue and consultation, preserve tranquility through mutually beneficial cooperation, and work together to build an Asia Pacific that is prosperous, stable, open, interconnected, universally beneficial, inclusive, united and mutually supportive.

Jiji Press: My first question is, on the case involving the detention of Japanese nationals in Dalian, according to some reports and news, during the investigation, some Chinese nationals were also subject to relevant measures in suspicion of violating the regulations on rare earth export controls. Can you confirm it? My second question is, this year marks the 20th anniversary of the full operation of the Qinghai-Xizang Railway. Why is it that foreigners are still not allowed to travel freely to Xizang? Will there be a plan to open up the region? Isn't this at odds with China's goal of developing a strong tourism sector?

Guo Jiakun: On your first question, we answered relevant questions yesterday. China handled the case in accordance with laws and regulations. I'd refer you to competent authorities for anything specific.

On your second question, Xizang is an open region. Friends from all countries are welcome to visit, travel and do business there. Given the region's special natural environment and geographical conditions and limited reception capacity, the Chinese government has put in place some regulatory and protection measures regarding the entry of foreigners in accordance with laws and regulations. We hope interested media outlets will see these measures as they are in an objective light and avoid misinterpretation.

AFP: Taiwan said on Thursday that prosecutors had detained two employees of U.S. company Supermicro Computer after expanding a probe into the alleged smuggling of Nvidia AI chips to China. Does the foreign ministry have a comment on this？

Guo Jiakun: It is not a question about foreign affairs. I'm not familiar with that.