CCTV: We’ve learned that the 2026 Forum on Global Human Rights Governance will be held in Beijing from June 11 to 12. Through commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development, various parties will have discussions on global human rights governance. Can you share more details?

Lin Jian: The 2026 Forum on Global Human Rights Governance will be held in Beijing from June 11 to 12. More than 400 guests from nearly 100 countries, including China, as well as UN and other international and regional organizations will participate in the forum upon invitation.

Themed on Joint Development, Shared Human Rights: The 40th Anniversary of the Adoption of the Declaration on the Right to Development and a New Vision for Global Human Rights Governance, the forum is co-hosted by China’s State Council Information Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In addition to the opening ceremony and the plenary meeting, there will be five sub-forums on the following topics: The Human Rights Implications of the Global Governance Initiative; The Role and Significance of the Right to Development in the Evolution of Global Human Rights; Safeguarding the Right to Development in the Age of AI: Emerging Challenges and Opportunities; Green Development and the Protection of Human Rights, and Modernization and People’s Free and Comprehensive Development.

China looks forward to the sharing of insights, mutual learning and consensus building at the forum on promoting human rights through better development to turn the vision of the Declaration on the Right to Development into reality and build a just, equitable and inclusive global human rights governance system.

Bloomberg: The EU is advancing a proposal that would force companies to avoid over-dependency in their supply chains. This comes as the bloc is looking to reset its trade relationship with China. Would the foreign ministry like to comment?

Lin Jian: As we’ve been saying, between China and Europe, the industrial and supply chains are highly integrated and mutually dependent. This is shaped by economic globalization and market force and has served both Chinese and European businesses well. European companies make their choice based on cost, technology and efficiency. How is that “over-dependence”? Isn’t “diversification” in this case just another version of protectionism? This sort of measures will not make the European industry more competitive, and they certainly go against the EU’s own stated principles of market economy, fair competition and free trade.

Do not do unto others what you would not have others do unto you. China-EU trade is not a zero-sum game. There is no reason why China and the EU can’t succeed together. The Chinese side is willing and open to working with the EU on trade issues. We hope the EU will work with the Chinese side to find solutions through dialogue and consultation, and let the business communities and people of both sides to benefit even more from China-EU trade.

AFP: On President Xi’s visit to the DPRK. I’d like to ask if the two sides will discuss the North’s nuclear weapons program? Is China still pushing for denuclearization on the Peninsula?

Lin Jian: China maintains continuity and consistency over its position and policy on the Korean Peninsula issue. We will release information on President Xi Jinping’s ongoing state visit to the DPRK in due course. Please stay tuned.

Ukrinform News Agency: Ukrainian authorities reported that Russian military struck a Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage Facility near the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant. How does the foreign ministry comment on this?

Lin Jian: China attaches high importance to the safety and security of nuclear facilities. The ultimate resolution of this issue in the context of the Ukraine crisis is contingent on the political settlement of the conflict. Dialogue and negotiation is the only viable way out. We call on the parties concerned to work for early deescalation and accumulate conditions for resuming dialogue and negotiation. 

PTI: Russian President Vladimir Putin in his wide-ranging interview last week with the media has spoken elaborately about Russia, India, China relations. And especially in his comments he says China and India are both trying to resolve all the issues of mutual interest, including the border issue. He stressed that Russia established relations with China and India independent of each other. Relations between Russia and India, as well as Russia and China, do not disturb each other in any way. At the same time, he has also spoken about Indian’s concerns related to China-Pakistan relations. He said Pakistan has multifaceted ties with different countries. I wonder if you can just react to this question?

Lin Jian: China, Russia and India are all emerging economies. Maintaining sound relations is not only in the respective interests of the three countries but also conducive to regional and global peace, security, stability and prosperity. China is ready to keep in communication with Russia and India on advancing cooperation among the three countries.

The China-India border situation is at the moment generally stable and the two sides have smooth communication channels. China and India need to have the right strategic perception that the two countries are cooperation partners, not competition rivals, and are opportunities, not threat, for each other’s development. The two sides need to view and handle the bilateral relations from a strategic height and long-term perspective, enhance mutual trust, expand cooperation, properly handle differences, and promote the sound and steady development of China-India relations.

On India-Pakistan relations, China has made clear its position on multiple occasions. We support the two sides in properly handling differences through dialogue and consultation and jointly keeping the region peaceful and stable.

AFP: I just wondered if the foreign ministry had a comment on Iran and Israel who have both launched strikes against each other over the weekend. Any comments?

Lin Jian: China is deeply concerned over the current situation. Return of war serves no one’s interests. We hope relevant parties will continue to implement the ceasefire, keep the negotiation going, resolve disputes through political and diplomatic means, achieve a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire at an early date and create necessary conditions for restoring peace and tranquility in the Middle East and Gulf region.