Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning’s Regular Press Conference on June 4, 2026

CCTV: Not long ago, the European Commission's College of Commissioners held an orientation debate on China-EU relations. Some believe that EU's current state of trade and investment with China is not sustainable, and the overarching approach should remain de-risking. Some estimate that in mid-June, the European Union will release new trade restrictions on China in G7 Summit and EU Summer Summit. However, according to a new survey by the EU Chamber of Commerce in China, 68 percent of European companies are either staying or expanding their operations in China. Nearly one-third are onshoring further in China. They don't see sort of de-risking becoming a theme. What's your comment?

Mao Ning: More and more European companies are deepening their roots and expanding their business in China. Their actions serve as a strong rebuttal of the so-called de-risking.

The trade cooperation between China and Europe is built on common interests. It is in essence a result of both comparative advantages and participation in market competition. Complementarity is not a risk, and convergence of interests is not a threat. Over the past five decades or so, the annual trade volume between China and Europe has soared by over 300 times, with two-way investment totaling nearly US$260 billion. The figures are a strong testament to the robust momentum and promising prospects of China-EU cooperation.

Trade protectionism is against the laws of economics and serves no one's interests. We hope the European side can view our trade ties in an objective and rational manner, and work with China to shorten the list of problems and make the pie of cooperation bigger for win-win results.

AP: First, what was the reason China banned four New Zealand lawmakers from traveling for one year and demanded an apology after they traveled to Taiwan, if you can explain a little bit more? Secondly, intelligence agencies from the so-called Five-Eyes Alliance including the U.S. and the UK said that Chinese spies are using online job platforms to recruit people. What would you say about that?

Mao Ning: On your first question, several individual New Zealand lawmakers visited China's Taiwan region in disregard of the grave concern and firm opposition of the Chinese side. Their action violates the one-China principle and interferes in China's internal affairs. In accordance with relevant laws of the People's Republic of China, the Chinese side has decided to take measures including an entry ban.

I need to stress that the one-China principle, a prevailing international consensus and a basic norm in international relations, is also the political cornerstone of China-New Zealand relations. We urge the individuals concerned to earnestly respect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and strictly abide by the one-China principle. Anyone who tramples on the red line and oversteps on the Taiwan question must pay the price.

On the second question, as the world's largest intelligence cooperation network, the "Five Eyes" has long engaged in massive systemic espionage all over the world. It is ironic that such an organization is accusing China of "spy threat."

DPA: About the last question on New Zealand, some German lawmakers also visited Taiwan in May. Will China ban lawmakers from Germany and other countries that have visited Taiwan from entering China?

Mao Ning: Taiwan is part of China, and the one-China principle is a prevailing international consensus and a basic norm in international relations. Anyone who crosses the red line on the Taiwan question must pay the price.

Beijing Youth Daily: It is reported that, on June 2, when the U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was facing a litany of questions before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, a senator noted that a thorough review by the intelligence community under the Biden administration had concluded there was no evidence that Cuba was involved in state-sponsored terrorism. In response, Rubio stated that practically all radical leftist violent terrorist groups in the Western Hemisphere have relied at some point on support from Cuba. He would need no new evidence. He added that Cuba needs a new mindset and serious reform in order for it not to continue to be a failed state which poses a threat to the U.S. At the same date, there were also media reports saying that due to the fuel shortage caused by the United States' oil embargo, the UN has been unable to effectively distribute nearly 20,000 tons of food in Cuba. What's your comment? 

Mao Ning: The U.S. can't justify blockade and illegal sanctions against Cuba with invented allegations and groundless vilification. Those decades-old unilateral sanctions and embargo have wreaked havoc on Cuba's economy and population, and are widely opposed by the international community. China firmly supports Cuba in safeguarding its national sovereignty and security and rejecting external interference. The U.S. side should heed the call of the international community and immediately stop all its blockade, sanctions, coercion and pressuring against Cuba.

TV Asahi: Two Japanese were reportedly injured when handling the Japanese army's abandoned chemical weapons in Jilin Province and hospitalized. What is your comment?

Mao Ning: On May 26, two Japanese personnel accidentally had their arms contaminated with toxic agent by ruptured chemical weapon shells while handling Japan's abandoned chemical weapons in Jilin Province. The Chinese side immediately provided first aid on the spot and rushed them to the hospital. After receiving hospital treatment, they were sent back to Japan on May 29.