Q: There is growing international opposition to the latest US sanctions against Cuba, especially because the reinforced blockade affects the economy and the people of Cuba. What is China’s comment on it?

China always opposes the imposition of unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction by a country in accordance with its domestic law. When it comes to state-to-state relations, the principle of mutual respect, equal treatment, peaceful co-existence and win-win cooperation should be followed. The US blockade on Cuba has caused great harm to the socio-economic development and people’s life in that country. Such wrongdoing should be corrected. This is not only the position of China, but also that of the overwhelming majority of UN members.

As neighbors across the sea, the US and Cuba should build good-neighborly relationship and continuously advance the process of the normalization of their relations. China calls on the US to fully lift its blockade on Cuba as soon as possible in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter and basic norms of international law. This serves the common interests of the two countries and peoples and is conducive to regional peace and development, which also answers the widespread call of the international community.

Q: British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said he was following the Hong Kong issue and had expressed concerns to Carrie Lam, urging her to carry out an independent investigation into the violent incidents in Hong Kong. The UK also announced that it would not export police equipment to Hong Kong until the human rights situation is improved. What’s your comment?

A: The Hong Kong affairs have become purely China’s internal affairs after July 1, 1997. No other country, organization or individual has the right to interfere in them. The UK recently has been blatantly interfering in Hong Kong affairs and making irresponsible remarks. China deplores and firmly opposes that. We urge the UK to stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and China’s internal affairs in whatever form immediately.

Q: The Chinese Embassy in Canada said in a statement that China will temporarily ban all exports of Canadian meat to China, which some believe is a retaliation to the Meng Wanzhou case. What’s your comment?

A: Recently, the Chinese Customs authorities have detected ractopamine residues in pork products exported from Canada to China. Therefore, the Chinese side has immediately suspended the import of pork products from the relevant enterprises and asked the Canadian side to investigate that. The subsequent investigation revealed that the official veterinary health certificates for the batch of pork exported to China were counterfeit and the number of those forgery certificates was up to 188. These forged certificates were sent to the Chinese regulatory authorities through Canadian official certificate notification channel, which reflects that the Canadian meat export supervision system hasobvious safety loopholes.

China has now taken urgent preventive measures and asked the Canadian government to suspend the issuance of certificates for meat exported to China since June 25.

It is the responsibility of the Chinese government to ensure the safety of Chinese consumers and safeguard food safety in China. The relevant Chinese authorities are acting totally in accordance with law. We hope the Canadian side will take this incident seriously, complete the investigation as soon as possible and take corrective measures that can effectively ensure the safety of food exported to China.

As to the Meng Wanzhou case you just mentioned, our position is very clear. We urge the Canadian side to take our solemn concerns seriously, immediately release Ms. Meng Wanzhou and ensure that she returns to China safe and sound.

Q: According to media reports, US officials reveal that China and the US agree not to impose additional tariffs, but the US will not accept abolishing existing tariffs as precondition for resuming talks. Do you have a comment? Do you think the two sides will reach a deal?

A: Our position on the China-US economic and trade consultations is very clear. We always stand for resolving the trade friction through dialogue and consultation. In this process, we should accommodate each other’s legitimate concerns on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit. The US knows our position very well. A trade war with additional tariffs will harm others as well as oneself and won’t help solve any problem.

Q: Today more than one thousand people marched to relevant consulates-generals in Hong Kong, demanding that the Hong Kong issue be discussed at the G20 Osaka Summit. Some Hong Kong netizens started an initiative to place ads on the front page of foreign newspapers. I wonder what is the Chinese government’s position? Will it oppose foreign interference?

A: As I just said, Hong Kong affairs are purely internal affairs of China. We are firmly against any interference by foreign governments, organizations and individuals in them.

With respect to including Hong Kong to the G20 agenda, we already responded to that at an earlier press briefing on Monday. I will reiterate that the G20 is a forum on international economic cooperation where economic, trade and financial issues will be discussed. The focus is on strengthening macro-economic policy coordination to deal with challenges through cooperation. Hong Kong will not be on the agenda. China will never agree to including it in discussions at the G20 because that is China’s internal affair.

Q: ROK President Moon Jae-in said that the US and the DPRK are having discussions on holding a third summit. What’s China’s comment?

A: As I said here the other day, we believe the DPRK and the US should sustain the momentum of dialogue and engagement. We hope they will meet each other halfway and send goodwill and resolve differences through dialogue. We will work with relevant parties including the DPRK and the US for new progress in the political settlement of the Korean Peninsula issue.