CCTV: The leaders of the US, Japan and the Philippines held their first trilateral summit in Washington on April 11, and issued a Joint Vision Statement after the summit. We noted that despite the US’s previous claim that this summit and the US-Japan-Philippines cooperation “is not aimed at” China, the Statement discussed the South China Sea issue at length, blamed China on the East China Sea issue and contained irresponsible comments on the Taiwan question. What is China’s comment?

Mao Ning: We noted this. I would like to make the following points:

First, China strongly opposes the practice of bloc politics by relevant countries. We firmly oppose any acts that stoke and drive up tensions and harm other countries’ strategic security and interests. We are seriously against forming exclusive groupings in this region. Japan and the Philippines have every right to develop normal relations with other countries, but they should not introduce bloc confrontation into this region, still less engage in trilateral cooperation at the expense of other countries’ interests. To know whether the trilateral summit and cooperation is truly not aimed at China, the answer is right there in the trilateral statement. What else could it be if it’s not a smear and attack against China?

Second, the Taiwan question is purely China’s internal affair. Resolving the Taiwan question is a matter for the Chinese ourselves that no one can interfere. The biggest threat to cross-Strait peace now is the separatist activities of “Taiwan independence” forces and external connivance and support for them. If relevant countries truly care about cross-Strait peace and stability and want the world to be safe and prosperous, they should uphold the one-China principle, unequivocally oppose “Taiwan independence” separatist activities, and support China’s reunification. This is the right way to ensure peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. No one should underestimate the will and capability of the Chinese people to safeguard our sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Third, China has indisputable sovereignty over Diaoyu Dao and its affiliated islands and Nanhai Zhudao. Our activities in the East China Sea and South China Sea are lawful, justified and beyond reproach. China does not accept relevant countries’ groundless accusation and deliberate smears against us on the East China Sea and South China Sea. China does not accept the illegal arbitral award on the South China Sea or any unilateral moves based on the award. The situation in the East China Sea and the South China Sea is generally stable. Certain countries keep seeking backing from non-regional countries as they infringe on China’s sovereignty and rights and make provocations at sea. What they have done has escalated the tensions. Certain country outside the region keeps fueling the flame and stoking confrontation. This is flagrant. Let me stress once again that China will firmly guard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests and we remain committed to properly settling bilateral maritime issues through dialogue and consultation with countries directly concerned. And we resolutely oppose non-regional countries meddling and sowing discords to escalate the situation.