At the invitation of the Chinese government, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of the Kingdom of Thailand will visit China from April 7 to 13. 

CCTV: On April 2 EST, the U.S. issued an executive order announcing that it will impose "reciprocal tariffs" on its major trading partners, including 34-percent tariffs on China (including Hong Kong and Macau). What’s China’s comment?

Guo Jiakun: The U.S. announced tariff hikes on imports from many countries, including China, under the pretext of reciprocity. This gravely violates WTO rules, and undermines the rules-based multilateral trading system. China firmly rejects this and will do what is necessary to defend our legitimate rights and interests.

We have emphasized more than once that trade and tariff wars have no winners. Protectionism leads nowhere. We urge the U.S. to stop doing the wrong thing, and resolve trade differences with China and other countries through consultation with equality, respect and mutual benefit.

CNR: We noted that the National Computer Virus Emergency Response Center and the National Engineering Laboratory for Computer Virus Prevention Technology issued the Cyber Threat Report of The 9th Asian Winter Games Harbin 2025 today, which disclosed cyber attacks from countries, including the U.S., on the information systems of the Asian Winter Games and critical infrastructures in Heilongjiang, and it is highly suspected that these attacks were related to the U.S. government. What is your comment on this?

Guo Jiakun: We noted the report and express grave concern over the malicious cyber activities disclosed by the report. The report shows once again that China is one of the major victims of cyber attacks globally, and the U.S. and its individual allies are the main source of cyber attacks targeting China during the 2025 Asian Winter Games.

China urges the U.S. to adopt a responsible attitude and take a harder look at itself, rather than vilifying others. China will continue to do what is necessary to protect its cyber security.

Beijing Daily: It’s reported that during a press conference on April 1, in response to China’s joint exercises around Taiwan Island, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said that the Japanese government has major concerns and is closely following the relevant situation. Japan has expressed its concerns to China through diplomatic channels. What’s China’s comment?

Guo Jiakun: Japan’s words and actions blatantly violate the one-China principle. We strongly deplore and firmly oppose that, and have lodged serious protests with Japan. China’s joint exercises are aimed at warning and containing “Taiwan independence” separatist forces, and it is a legitimate and necessary action to defend China’s national sovereignty and uphold national unity. Japan has no right to point fingers at this, still less interfere with it. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. The Taiwan question is at the core of China’s core interests, and bears on the political foundation of China-Japan relations and basic trust between the two countries. Japan committed innumerable crimes during its colonial rule over Taiwan of more than 50 years, and bears serious historical responsibilities to the Chinese people. It should act all the more prudently. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-fascist War. We urge Japan to deeply reflect on history, uphold the principles in the four political documents between China and Japan and honor its solemn commitments on the Taiwan question, immediately stop interfering in China’s internal affairs, and abide by the one-China principle with concrete actions.

Bloomberg: China has said that it has detained three Filipino nationals suspected of spying. The Ministry of State Security said that it recently discovered an espionage case and this is according to Xinhua. Can the Foreign Ministry confirm the detention of three Filipino nationals on spying charges and also perhaps give a little bit more detail? 

Guo Jiakun: Competent authorities have released detailed information on the espionage activities conducted by the Philippine nationals in China. China’s judicial and relevant authorities will strictly handle the case in accordance with law, and protect the lawful rights and interests of the personnel involved.

Recently the Philippines concocted a series of so-called Chinese spy cases. This is a typical act of stigmatization and politicization based on presumption of guilt in the absence of clear evidence. We firmly oppose that, and have lodged protests against the Philippines more than once. China urges the Philippines to stop shadow-chasing and making false accusations, handle the cases concerning Chinese citizens in a just manner and in accordance with law, and effectively protect the lawful rights and interests of Chinese citizens in the Philippines.

Dragon TV: During his recent trip to the Caribbean, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that “we almost all had concussions” because the road built by the Chinese in Guyana was so bad, adding that he hoped the U.S. will provide alternatives to that for countries there. Do you have any comment?

Guo Jiakun: According to what I learned, the road project the U.S. side referred to was not built by any Chinese companies and the Guyanese side has made clarifications on that. I wonder why Mr. Secretary of State told falsehoods like this. They’d better do something tangible and deliver for countries in the region rather than vilify China and sow discord by distorting the facts. 

Bloomberg: On the tariff issue. Can you elaborate a little bit? Does China plan to negotiate with the U.S. side ahead of April 9? Is there a possibility to negotiate on the tariffs? With the latest actions, do you consider China to be the top target of President Trump under this tariff situation? Just one last point, if you will, do you see this as an opportunity in some way to come together with other blocs, whether it be ASEAN or EU, to try to perhaps discuss a common approach to U.S. tariffs?

Guo Jiakun: As I just said, trade wars and tariff wars have no winners, and protectionism will lead nowhere. The U.S. needs to correct its wrongdoings and resolve trade disputes with countries, including China, through consultation with equality, respect and mutual benefit.

Let me stress that the U.S.’s unilateral tariff hikes violate WTO rules, undermine the common interests of people of all countries, and do no help to solve its own problem. It is clear that more and more countries have come to stand against the U.S.’s tariff hikes and other unilateral bullying moves.

Reuters: The U.S. government has banned government personnel based in China from having romantic relationships with Chinese citizens, according to a report from the Associated Press. Do you have any comment on that?

Guo Jiakun: The U.S. is in a better position to answer this question.

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In observance of the Qingming Festival (Tomb-Sweeping Day), our press conference will be in recess on April 4 (Friday) and resume on April 7 (Monday). During the recess, you may still reach the MFA Spokesperson’s Office via fax, email and WeChat.