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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian's Regular Press Conference on December 1, 2025

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: December 01, 2025 19:48

CCTV: China announced that French President Emmanuel Macron will pay a state visit to China. Can you brief us on the program of the visit? How does China view its current relations with France and what does China expect to achieve through the upcoming visit?

Lin Jian: It'll will be President Macron's fourth state visit to China and a reciprocal visit to President Xi Jinping's historic state visit to France last year that marked the 60th anniversary of China-France diplomatic relations. During the upcoming visit, President Xi Jinping will hold talks with President Macron to jointly guide the development of the bilateral relationship under new circumstances and have in-depth exchange of views on major international and regional hotspot issues. Premier Li Qiang and Chairman Zhao Leji of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress will meet with President Macron respectively.

France is the first major Western country to establish diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level with the People's Republic of China. The China-France relationship has a cherished history, unique value and an important mission. In recent years, under the strategic guidance of the two presidents, China and France have had close exchanges at various levels, fruitful practical cooperation and effective coordination in multilateral affairs. As we speak, the international situation is fluid and turbulent. Through the upcoming visit, China stands ready to work with France to champion the spirit that guided the establishment of China-France diplomatic ties, and to step up strategic communication, deepen practical cooperation, work for closer coordination in multilateral affairs. Together, the two sides can make new progress in their comprehensive strategic partnership, promote the sound and steady development of China-EU relations, and contribute more to multilateralism and a peaceful, stable and prosperous world. 

Global Times: Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said previously that "Having renounced all rights and claims under the 'Treaty of San Francisco,' we are not in a position to recognize Taiwan's legal status." On November 28, Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi when asked about whether it means that Japan does not recognize China's sovereignty over Taiwan repeated what's said in the "Treaty of San Francisco," and said that "Our government's basic position on Taiwan is as stated in the 1972 Sino-Japanese Joint Statement, and nothing more and nothing less." What's your comment?

Lin Jian: The Japanese side keeps hiding and fudging its position on the Taiwan question. Whenever asked, the Japanese side simply would not mention the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation and the Japanese Instrument of Surrender—all of which made clear that Taiwan be restored to China, nor the four political documents that serve as the political foundation of China-Japan relations, nor the political commitment made by the Japanese government to the one-China principle. All the Japanese side has done is dodging the issue by claiming that its position "remains unchanged." Not even once has the Japanese side fully articulated what exactly that position is.

Perhaps what the Japanese side would not clarify is not just its position on the Taiwan question. Today, December 1, marks the 82nd anniversary of the Cairo Declaration. This document, together with a series of other international legal instruments, stipulate China's sovereignty over Taiwan, and are vital outcomes of the World Anti-Fascist War and an integral part of the postwar international order. Japan has an obligation under international law to observe those documents, which is the prerequisite for Japan to be readmitted to the international community after the war. But the Japanese side does not even mention a word about those instruments with full effect under international law, and instead keeps quoting a document that excludes China and some other Asian countries who suffered the most from Japanese aggression and colonialism. That is a clear sign of oblivion to the horrible memory of Japan's militarist aggression, a serious disregard for the history of the World Anti-Fascist War, and a blatant challenge to the UN's authority and the postwar international order. The Japanese side has in recent years been revamping the security and defense policies, beefing up the defense budget year after year and seeking to revise its three non-nuclear principles. Some forces in Japan have been trying hard to break free from the Pacifist Constitution and Japan's legal obligations as a defeated country in WWII. They never truly learned the lessons from history, never truly did any soul-searching about Japan's war atrocities or looked at them squarely, and never truly sought to prevent the revival of militarism in Japan. They hope that by whitewashing and not mentioning the true history, they could somehow make the world forget and release Japan from its obligations, but the world will not be deceived.

The course of history must not be reversed, and the bottom line of peace must not be crossed. Japan prevaricated to downplay the situation while continuing down the wrong path. China would absolutely not accept that. On issues of principle, an evasive attitude will not get the Japanese side anywhere. We urge the Japanese side to learn the lessons of history, do soul-searching, take seriously what it has heard from the Chinese side, simply retract the erroneous remarks as it should and take practical steps to honor its political commitments to China.

China News Service: The Japanese government recently added three sets of "records" in its National Museum of Territory and Sovereignty in Tokyo, as so-called "evidence" to back Japan's illegal claims over Diaoyu Dao. What is China's comment?

Lin Jian: Diaoyu Dao and its affiliated islands have been China's territory since ancient times. China's sovereignty over Diaoyu Dao is supported by clear history and solid legal basis. Ample evidence can be found, including in Japan's diplomatic archives, maps and writings of historians. The so-called "historical records," which are either quoted out of context or largely discredited, only make Japan's illegal claim over Diaoyu Dao all the more untenable.

Reuters: Hong Kongers overseas have been involved in starting a petition for government accountability regarding the fire in Tai Po. And many overseas have also criticized the subsequent arrest of locals involved in this petitioning effort. What's the Foreign Ministry's response?

Lin Jian: This is not related to foreign affairs. I'd refer you to the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

ABC: Australia's Defense Minister says Australia is monitoring a Chinese navy fleet in the Philippine Sea, suggesting the fleet may be on its way to circumnavigate Australian waters. What is the fleet doing? Where is it going and what's your reaction to Australia's position on this?

Lin Jian: On the Chinese navy's activities, I'd refer you to competent authorities. Let me point out that Chinese vessels always respect and abide by international law and operate at sea in accordance with international law. 

Bloomberg: According to local media reports, last weekend in Shanghai, a Japanese singer had to interrupt her concert on Friday night and another Japanese singer had to cancel her concert on Saturday. Can you confirm these reports and does the Foreign Ministry have any comment on the cancel of performances?

Lin Jian: I'd refer you to the organizers as to how these social and commercial activities are conducted and the reasons for it.

Beijing Youth Daily: What's China's comment on Kyrgyzstan's snap parliamentary elections held on November 30?

Lin Jian: China congratulates Kyrgyzstan on the successful snap parliamentary elections. At the invitation of Kyrgyzstan, China sent a group to observe the elections, and believes that the elections are democratic, open and transparent. China highly commends that and, as a friendly neighbor and comprehensive strategic partner, supports the choice made by the people of Kyrgyzstan.

We are confident that, under the leadership of President Sadyr Japarov, Kyrgyzstan will ensure long-term stability and accomplish even more in national development and rejuvenation. China will work with Kyrgyzstan to follow through the important common understandings reached between President Xi Jinping and President Japarov, further enhance mutual support, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation on all fronts, and work for sustained and steady progress in building the China-Kyrgyzstan community with a shared future.