Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian’s Regular Press Conference on September 8, 2025

CCTV: China announced that President Xi Jinping will attend the Virtual BRICS Summit via video link. What does China expect to achieve through this meeting?

Lin Jian: The BRICS cooperation mechanism is an important platform for solidarity and cooperation between emerging markets and developing countries. In the face of rising unilateralism and protectionism, BRICS countries jointly safeguard multilateralism, defend fairness and justice, promote common development, and become a positive and stable force for good in international affairs.

President Xi Jinping will attend the Virtual BRICS Summit via video link on September 8. He will have an in-depth exchange of views with other participating leaders on the current economic environment, the multilateral system, BRICS cooperation, and important issues of mutual concern. China stands ready to work with other parties to further act on the BRICS spirit of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, promote high-quality development of greater BRICS cooperation, jointly work for a more just and equitable global governance system, and make new contributions to an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.

RT TV: Ukraine's ambassador to the Philippines stated that work is currently underway to sign a memorandum of understanding in the field of defense. The next step will be to launch joint production of drones in the Philippines. What's China's comment on Ukraine, a party to the conflict with U.S. support, seeking drone production in the Philippines?

Lin Jian: China believes that cooperation between countries should be conducive to regional peace and stability.

China News Service: We noted that right after the late-night earthquake struck Afghanistan on August 31, Chinese leaders expressed sympathies to Afghanistan and the Chinese government provided emergency disaster relief assistance. Can you give us more details on that?

Lin Jian: China is closely following the earthquake that shook Afghanistan. On September 1, President Xi Jinping when presiding over the "SCO Plus" Meeting in Tianjin expressed deep condolences over the lives lost in the earthquake and sympathies to those who lost their loved ones and people in the disaster-stricken areas, and wished that the Afghan government and people will get through this difficult time and rebuild their homes soon.

The Chinese government announced it will provide Afghanistan with RMB 50 million in emergency humanitarian aid for earthquake relief, including tents, blankets, tarps, food and other urgently needed supplies. The first batch of aid has arrived in Kabul by airplane on September 7 and the remaining supplies will be delivered in the following days. The Chinese embassy, Chinese institutions, and the Overseas Chinese Association in Afghanistan raised and donated funds and relief supplies. The Red Cross Society of China also provided cash assistance to the Afghan Red Crescent Society.

Afghanistan has always been a friendly neighbor and strategic cooperative partner of China. China will work with Afghanistan to jointly tide over this challenging time and deliver disaster relief supplies to quake-hit areas as soon as possible. We believe that under the leadership of the Afghan government, the Afghan people will come together and recover and rebuild from the disaster at an early date.

NHK: Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced yesterday he will step down. What's China's comment?

Lin Jian: We noted that. This is Japan's internal affair. China does not have a comment on that. 

China Daily: On September 4, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced in a statement visa restrictions on those citizens of Central American nations as well as their immediate family members who engage in cooperation with the Communist Party of China and undermine the rule of law in Central America in order to counter China's corrupt influence in Central America. What's China's comment?

Lin Jian: The U.S.'s inflammatory finger-pointing at Central American countries' exchanges and cooperation with China is entirely groundless and shows the U.S.'s complete lack of respect for Central American countries. That once again reflects how the U.S. is accustomed to bullying the "small guys" in international relations. The statement once again reveals relevant politician's deep-seated ideological bias and Cold-War mentality. China deplores and firmly opposes the U.S.'s baseless vilification, coercive diplomacy and blatant interference and sabotage against China's relations with Central American countries.

Weaponizing visas will not scare off the sober-minded. Nor will it hold back the flourishing ties between China and Central American countries. China will continue to strengthen exchange and cooperation with Central American countries, contribute to the prosperity of local communities, and deliver more tangibly to their peoples.

Beijing Youth Daily: The World Intellectual Property Organization recently released the top 100 innovation clusters of the Global Innovation Index 2025. China, boasting 24 clusters, has ranked the first in the world for three consecutive years; three of these clusters were among the top 10; and the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster topped the list for the first time. What is your comment?

Lin Jian: I also saw this good news. In recent years, China has accelerated the fostering of new-quality productive forces, increased investment in innovation, improved the laws and regulations concerning intellectual property rights, and enhanced the innovation capability of various entities. All these measures have provided strong support for China's high-quality development. From the lunar exploration probes Chang'e and deep-sea submersible Jiaolong, to domestically developed large passenger aircraft and self-driving cars, from humanoid robot dancers to big AI models, the thriving innovation in China is making headlines worldwide and China has become an important pillar of innovation in the world.

Over recent years, we have promoted renewable energy solutions to effectively support the sustainable development of various countries, advocated better accessibility to new technologies, and provided skills training for Global South countries to improve their capacity of independent innovation. China will continue to pursue innovation-driven development, deepen international cooperation on scientific innovation, and bring more countries together for mutual sharing of innovation outcomes and common prosperity.

Kyodo News: The Foreign Ministry announced countermeasures on Japanese Councillor Shi Ping. What is your comment?

Lin Jian: Shi Ping used to be a Chinese national. After he obtained Japanese nationality in Japan, he joined those who are anti-China in Japan and has deliberately unleashed disinformation and vilification against China, by making egregiously nefarious comments on Taiwan, Diaoyu Dao, historic issues, Xizang, Xinjiang and Hong Kong. After being elected a member of Japan's National Diet, he visited and paid respect to Yasukuni Shrine. What he did seriously violated the principles of the four political documents between China and Japan and the one-China principle, constituted grave interference in China's internal affairs, and undermined China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. In response to his actions, China has decided to take countermeasures against Shi Ping, effective as of today.

Let me point out that Shi Ping, for his selfish agenda, has betrayed his ancestors and conscience by joining anti-China forces in making provocations and troubles. China's countermeasures are aimed to warn and hold to account Shi Ping and his kind. There are consequences for such dishonorable deeds.

AFP: The U.S. president signed an executive order to designate countries that allegedly wrongfully detain Americans abroad. According to anonymous U.S. official, China, Iran and Afghanistan are under review. What is the Foreign Ministry's comment?

Lin Jian: What has been said by some in the U.S. paints a wrong picture and is ill-motivated. China firmly rejects this. China upholds the rule of law. There is no so-called issue of "wrongful detention" in China. It is well known that wrongful detention, arbitrary detention, coercive diplomacy, long-arm jurisdiction and unilateral sanctions are among the U.S.'s favorite tools.

Let me stress that China will, as always, welcome people and businesses of all countries to travel and do business in China and we will protect their safety, security and lawful rights and interests in China in accordance with the law.