Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang's Regular Press Conference on June 28, 2019

Q: The US Senate yesterday passed the National Defense Authorization Act 2020 which contains some specific China sections, targeting for example the banning of federal funds from going to any Chinese state-owned company. What is your reaction to this new act?

A: China firmly opposes the passage through the US Senate of the relevant act that contains negative China-related content. Once the bill becomes law, it will harm China-US relations and disrupt and undermine cooperation in some important areas. China has lodged stern representations with the US.

We urge the US to abandon the outdated cold-war mindset and zero-sum game thinking, objectively view China's development, keep to the overriding trend in China-US relations and not allow any bill that contains negative China-related content to become law, lest it should harm the larger picture of China-US relations.

Q: According to reports, vice foreign ministers from Iran, China, Russia, France, Britain and Germany will hold a meeting of the Joint Commission of the JCPOA today in Vienna. Who from China will attend this meeting? What's China's expectation for this meeting?

A: The official in charge of the Department of Arms Control of the Foreign Ministry will attend the meeting of the Joint Commission of the JCPOA in Vienna on June 28.

Regarding the Iran nuclear issue, there are continued tensions and risks of a spiral of escalations. To ensure the full and effective implementation of the JCPOA is the requirement of the relevant Security Council resolution and the only viable way to solve the Iranian nuclear issue and ease tensions in the Middle East. It serves the shared interests of the international community. As a party to the JCPOA, China will continue to uphold and implement the deal, safeguard peace and stability in the Middle East and guarantee the legitimate and legal rights and interests of all parties. China stands ready to work with all other parties to this end.

Q: The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), which happened last year in Nauru, is happening in Tuvalu in August this year. Do you have any details on China's participation at this forum?

A: As an important regional inter-governmental organization, the Pacific Islands Forum has all along played a vital role in promoting regional sustainable development, peace and stability.

China attaches importance to relations with the PIF as well as Pacific island countries and stands ready to work with the PIF to promote the sustained and in-depth development of the relationship with the PIF and its members to bring more benefits to the people. As to the details about China's participation in the PIF this year, we will release information in due course as, like you mentioned, this event is not due until August.

Q: When meeting with Prime Minister Abe yesterday, President Xi talked about his visit to the DPRK last week. Could you offer more details?

A: China has released a readout on the meeting between President Xi and Prime Minister Abe. An official from the MFA's Department of Asian Affairs has also offered detailed information which you may refer to.

Regarding the Korean Peninsula, I would like to draw your attention to a line in the readout that says Prime Minister Abe expressed Japan's deep appreciation of President Xi's recent visit to the DPRK, which he believed played an important and constructive role in facilitating peace and stability on the Peninsula.

Q: There are different wordings regarding the improvement of inter-Korean relations in the readouts released by China and the ROK after the meeting between leaders of the two sides. Can you confirm that? What's your comment?

A: The Chinese side issued a readout after President Xi Jinping met with President Moon Jae-in in Osaka yesterday, and I believe you may have seen that. I have yet to run through the readout released by the ROK side, so I'm not aware of any differences between the two readouts. But I think the two sides would describe the same meeting according to their understandings respectively, and they may not necessarily use the same words for everything.

According to my information, the meeting between the Chinese and ROK leaders is very successful and the two sides did exchange views on the situation on the Korean Peninsula. President Xi Jinping briefed President Moon Jae-in on his visit to the DPRK, and President Moon said President Xi's visit played a constructive role in and made important contributions to promoting the momentum for dialogue and upholding peace and stability on the Peninsula. The ROK highly appreciates that.

Regarding the situation on the Peninsula, China and the ROK have all along maintained close communication and coordination. China always keeps a positive attitude towards peace, reconciliation and cooperation between the DPRK and the ROK.

Q: Tomorrow President Xi will meet with President Trump. What does China expect from the meeting?

A: Lately there has been a large amount of international media coverage, comments and speculations on the upcoming meeting between the Chinese and US heads of state in Osaka. It shows that the international community is paying close attention to the meeting and all hope to see the two sides resolving trade differences through dialogue and consultation. It also manifests that China-US relations have gone beyond the bilateral scope and are of great significance to peace, stability, development and prosperity of the world.

As we speak, the two teams are in close communication to prepare for the meeting. We hope the US will meet China halfway and strive for positive outcomes through joint efforts. It serves the interests of both countries and meets the expectation of the international community. Please rest assured that we will keep you updated once there is more information on this meeting.