At the invitation of Premier Li Qiang of the State Council, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet will pay an official visit to China from September 14 to 16.

Xinhua News Agency: Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet will pay an official visit to China from September 14 to 16. Could you share the program of the visit? How does China see the current China-Cambodia relations? What do you expect from the visit?

Mao Ning: At the invitation of Premier Li Qiang of the State Council, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet will pay an official visit to China from September 14 to 16. President Xi Jinping will meet with Prime Minister Hun Manet and Premier Li Qiang and Chairman Zhao Leji will hold talks and meet with him respectively.

This is the first official visit by Prime Minister Hun Manet after he took office. It shows the great importance the new Cambodian government attaches to China-Cambodia relations. This year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of China-Cambodia diplomatic relations and the “China-Cambodia Friendship Year”. China hopes to, through this visit, chart the course for the comprehensive strategic cooperation between the two countries in the next stage. In particular, we hope to deliver on the cooperation initiatives such as the “industrial development corridor” and the “fish and rice corridor” at an early date, and jointly usher in a new era of building a high-quality, high-level and high-standard China-Cambodia Community with a Shared Future.

ITV News: You will have seen the reports about the arrest of two men, British men, accused of spying on behalf of China in the UK. I would like to ask for your response to those arrests and whether you have been in contact with the British government about this.

Mao Ning: The allegation that China spies on the UK is entirely groundless. China firmly opposes that. We urge the UK to stop spreading disinformation and stop political manipulation and malicious slander against China.

China Daily: Could you share more about Premier Li Qiang’s attendance at the recent leaders’ meetings on East Asia cooperation in Jakarta? 

Mao Ning: Premier Li Qiang attended the 26th China-ASEAN Summit, the 26th ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Summit and the 18th East Asia Summit in Jakarta on September 6 and 7. It was the first time for the Premier of China’s new government to attend the leaders’ meetings on East Asia cooperation. Fruitful outcomes were achieved mainly in the following aspects.

First, political consensus was deepened. Faced with increasing uncertainties in the international and regional landscape, Premier Li took stock of the development progress in East Asia over the past decades and stressed that development doesn’t come easy, openness is essential, and peace must be cherished. Bearing in mind the overall interests of peace and development in East Asia, he called for efforts to strengthen solidarity, unlock potential, rise above disruptions, safeguard the open and inclusive regional environment, and jointly foster an epicentrum of growth. Premier Li’s views have a lot in common with those of other leaders of regional countries. It’s generally stressed at the meetings that stability and peace is the key to prosperity, mutual trust and dialogue needs to be enhanced, ASEAN centrality consolidated, regional economic integration advanced, and determined steps taken to turn the vision of an epicentrum of growth into reality.

Second, cooperation highlights were identified. A total of eight outcome documents were adopted at the three meetings, to which China contributed 39 cooperation initiatives. Apart from deepening cooperation in traditional fields including trade, connectivity, finance and food security, the ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Summit adopted for the first time ever a statement on electric vehicle cooperation. Regional countries reached more consensus on grasping opportunities presented by the new round of technological and industrial revolution, fostering new growth points, and increasing East Asia’s overall competitiveness in emerging sectors. It was announced at the China-ASEAN Summit that the year 2024 will be the China-ASEAN Year of People-to-People Exchanges and all agreed to resume and expand cross-border travel at an early date and promote exchanges across the board.

Third, the right direction was upheld. At the initiative of Indonesia, this year’s chair, the East Asia Summit adopted a statement on economic growth. China actively supported and constructively participated in the consultations and contributed to the final adoption of the statement. The adoption of the leaders’ statement at this year’s summit sends out a united message of focusing on development and gives a strong boost to the momentum of the summit. Certain countries attempted to hype up geopolitical issues, which proved to be unpopular and found little support. Our position was widely commended by ASEAN countries. Overall, the meetings were held in a positive atmosphere, cemented the platform role of the East Asia cooperation mechanisms, and contributed strongly to peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

Sky News: Another question please about the two people arrested in the UK on suspicion of spying for China. We know that the British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak raised this issue in his meeting with Premier Li at the G20 yesterday. Are you able to offer more information about what was said in that meeting? And does China deny trying to exert influence on the British political system?

Mao Ning: I’ve made clear China’s position on this issue just now. Leaders of China and the UK met on the sidelines of the G20 Summit and exchanged views on bilateral relations and issues of common interest. We hope that the UK side will stop political hype-up, uphold the spirit of mutual respect and equality, and move forward China-UK relations in a constructive manner.

China News Service: What does China think of the G20 Summit in New Delhi and its outcomes?

Mao Ning: China has always attached importance to and actively supported the work of the G20 and believes that it’s important for G20 to stand in solidarity and cooperate to address various risks and challenges in the world economy and development. During his attendance at the G20 Summit in New Delhi, Premier Li Qiang elaborated on China’s views and propositions on G20 cooperation, calling on all parties to stick to the original aspiration of solidarity and cooperation, live up to the responsibility for peace and development as required by our times,