
Beijing Daily: Premier Li Qiang just concluded his official visit to Egypt. Can you share with us more details?
Mao Ning: Premier Li Qiang paid an official visit to Egypt from July 9 to 10. During the visit, he met with Egyptian President El-Sisi, held talks with Prime Minister Madbouly, and met with Speaker of the House of Representatives Gebaly. Premier Li noted that China always views its relations with Egypt as a priority in Middle East diplomacy. As the two countries mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year, China hopes to work with Egypt to carry forward the traditional friendship, consolidate political mutual trust, continue to give each other firm support on issues bearing on each other’s core interest, enrich the comprehensive strategic partnership, deliver more results through cooperation in various areas, and build a China-Egypt community with a shared future for the new era. China supports Egypt in playing a greater role in international and regional affairs, and stands ready to coordinate and collaborate more closely with Egypt within multilateral frameworks, practice true multilateralism, uphold economic globalization and the international economic and trade order, safeguard the common interests of the vast developing world, and contribute to peace and stability in the Middle East and beyond. During the visit, Premier Li and Prime Minister Madbouly witnessed the signing of cooperation documents on e-commerce, green and low-carbon development, development assistance, finance and health.
During his stay in Egypt, Premier Li Qiang met with Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the Arab League. Premier Li Qiang noted that under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and heads of state of Arab countries, the China-Arab relationship is as strong as ever. China always views and develops its relations with Arab states from a strategic height, firmly supports Arab states’ just cause, and supports their pursuit of greater strategic independence, strength through unity and development paths suited to their national conditions. China stands ready to strengthen its friendly ties with the Arab League and work with Arab states to increase strategic mutual trust, deepen cooperation in various fields, jointly advance modernization, and build a China-Arab community with a shared future of an even higher standard. We hope the Arab League will continue to play an important role in promoting China-Arab relations and jointly make the Second China-Arab States Summit next year a full success.
AFP: The Data Protection Commission, an Irish regulator helping to police EU data privacy, said yesterday that it had launched an investigation into TikTok over the transfer of European users’ personal data to servers in China. Does the Foreign Ministry have a comment on this?
Mao Ning: I’d refer you to competent authorities for anything specific. Let me stress that the Chinese government takes data privacy and security very seriously and protects it in accordance with the law. The Chinese government has never asked and will never ask any company or individual to collect or store data against laws. We hope the EU will earnestly respect the principles of market economy and fair competition, and provide a fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment for companies from all countries.
China Review News: We noted that Foreign Minister Wang Yi is in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to attend the ASEAN Plus Foreign Ministers’ Meetings. Could you share more details?
Mao Ning: Yesterday, Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the China-ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and the ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur. Today, he attended the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, and the ASEAN Regional Forum Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi pointed out that China and ASEAN share similar development philosophies and aspirations and interconnected interests. Thanks to the joint efforts of the two sides, the bond of the community with a shared future with neighboring countries has become closer, the steps of regional opening up and cooperation have become more resolute, security cooperation has become more in-depth, and personnel exchanges have become more convenient. China regards ASEAN as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy, and supports ASEAN centrality in regional structure. China stands ready to take the lead in signing the Protocol to the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone, fully implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), advance the consultations of a code of conduct in the South China Sea (COC), make the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 a success, implement the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement in a high-quality way, and support each other and help each other succeed on the march towards Asia’s modernization.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed that the current situation of East Asian cooperation is positive at large with the overwhelming trend of focusing on development and striving for cooperation, but the region is affected by unilateralism and protectionism. The more complex the situation is, the greater the need to remove disturbances, enhance the driving force for cooperation, strengthen the resilience for development, keep advancing regional integration, and build an East Asia with integrated development, strong resilience, vigor for innovation and cultural affinity. China will continue to seek an amicable, secure and prosperous neighborhood, and follow the principles of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness, and share weal and woe with its neighbors. Through its stable development, China will provide fresh impetus and new opportunities for common development in the region, and jointly usher in a brighter future for East Asia.
Reuters: Next week, G20 finance ministers and central bank chiefs will meet in South Africa. What are China’s expectations for the meeting? What would success look like? Do you have any comment on whether the G20 is still relevant or whether other new trade alliances and emerging regional groups have proven more effective? And will China put forward initiatives to further the use of the yuan as a global currency?
Mao Ning: I’d refer you to competent authorities for anything specific. Let me say more broadly that China supports the G20 in continuing to play its positive role, as the premier forum for international economic cooperation, in strengthening multilateralism, improving global governance, and advancing world economic growth.

China News Service: We noted the U.S. recently threatened Brazil with up to 50 percent tariffs starting on August 1, called U.S.-Brazil trade relationship “unfair” and asked Brazil to end its “witch hunt” immediately. What is China’s comment?
Mao Ning: Sovereign equality and non-interference in domestic affairs are important principles of the UN Charter and basic norms in international relations. Tariffs should not be a tool of coercion, bullying or interference.
Kyodo News: Japan announced today that an agreement about Japanese beef export to China has come into effect. Could you share more details?
Mao Ning: I’m not familiar with the specifics. I’d refer you to competent authorities.
Reuters: The U.S. has demanded measures to curb China in trade talks with South Korea, a senior official from Seoul’s trade ministry said today. Does China have any comment?
Mao Ning: China supports parties in handling economic and trade issues through dialogue and consultation, but no deals or talks should harm the interests of any third party.
AFP: We’re seeing reports that Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov is coming to China next week for the SCO foreign ministers’ meeting. Can the Foreign Ministry confirm this and give any more details?
Mao Ning: I have no information to offer at the moment. Relevant information will be released when available.
Hubei Media Group: Media outlets such as The Washington Post and “Travel and Tour World” website recently published articles saying that China’s visa-free policies help show its rich history, futuristic cyberpunk vibes and vitality to the world, while some other countries are tightening visa rules and turning inward. What’s your view?
Mao Ning: China’s unilateral visa-free policy and visa-free transit program now cover 47 and 55 countries respectively. We’ve streamlined visa application, and launched one-stop entry service and instant departure tax refund, giving foreign visitors a more smooth “China Travel” experience.
Decoupling, isolation and exclusion will never be an option for China. We will keep opening wider to the world, share opportunities together and create a brighter future for all.
Reuters: Are you able to confirm whether Foreign Minister Wang Yi will meet U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio while he’s in Kuala Lumpur?
Mao Ning: As I’ve learned, Foreign Minister Wang Yi will meet with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio later today.
