Global Times: Yesterday was the first day of Thailand’s temporary visa-free entry program for Chinese tourists. Could you share more details with us?

Wang Wenbin: The Thai Government announced a five-month visa-free entry program for Chinese tourists starting on September 25. Yesterday, the first group of Chinese tourists under the new visa-free policy arrived in Thailand. Thai Prime Minister Srettha and other government officials greeted them at the airport.

China welcomes Thailand’s short-term visa exemption policy for Chinese tourists and appreciates the welcome extended by Prime Minister Srettha to our fellow Chinese. China and Thailand are close friends and neighbors and a community of shared future. To have more people-to-people exchange is absolutely essential for strengthening the traditional familial bond between our two countries and an important part of building a China-Thailand community with a shared future in the new era. We stand ready to work with Thailand to expand cooperation in tourism, education, culture and other areas to further enhance the close ties between our peoples.

Since early this year, there has been a surge in outbound trips by Chinese tourists. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has come up with better visa and related policies, launched a series of facilitation measures in collaboration with other government agencies and given guidance to our diplomatic and consular missions overseas to do everything possible to keep channels open and smooth for foreigners’ travel to China. We welcome more friends from around the world to come and experience China.

CCTV: Could you update us on the preparations for the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation? How many countries have confirmed their attendance?

Wang Wenbin: Preparations for the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation are making steady progress. As of today, representatives from more than 130 countries as well as many international organizations have confirmed that they will attend the Forum. China will stay in communication with Belt and Road cooperation partners on the preparations for the Forum. 

AFP: Some media reported yesterday that North Korea has reopened its borders to foreign visitors. Does the Chinese foreign ministry have any more information on this situation?

Wang Wenbin: China has not been notified through diplomatic channels by the DPRK on the reopening of its borders.

Prensa Latina: We would like to know your opinion about the terrorist attack against the Cuban embassy in the United States.

Wang Wenbin: China condemns all forms of violence targeting diplomatic missions. In accordance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the host country has obligations to take necessary measures to protect diplomatic personnel and premises. We call on the US to find out what happened, solve the case speedily and take effective measures to protect the security of diplomatic missions and personnel.

Dragon TV: According to reports, on September 26, a plenary meeting of the Central American Parliament approved a special agreement on the accession of the National People’s Congress of China as a permanent observer. What’s your comment?

Wang Wenbin: On September 26, a plenary meeting of the Central American Parliament approved with strong support a special agreement on the accession of the National People’s Congress of China as a permanent observer. The plenary meeting also approved with strong support the August plenary meeting minutes, which contains the resolution to revoke the “permanent observer status” of the so-called “Legislative Yuan” of the Taiwan region and accept the National People’s Congress of China as a permanent observer. We applaud that decision. It reflects the Central American Parliament’s firm resolve to develop relations with China and again shows that the one-China principle represents the prevailing consensus of the international community and the unstoppable trend of the times. China stands ready to further develop and consolidate friendly cooperative relations with the Central American Parliament and Central American countries on the basis of the one-China principle.

Reuters: The US Space Force has had internal discussions about setting up a hotline with China to prevent crises in space. Reuters has reported this. The US chief of space operations said a direct line of communication between the US Space Force and its Chinese counterpart would be valuable in de-escalating tensions, but as of today the US has not engaged with China to set this up. Does the ministry have any comment on this? And would China be open to this hotline?

Wang Wenbin: On that question, I’d like to refer you to the competent authorities. The US is clear about what caused the difficulty in having China-US mil-to-mil dialogue. 

Bloomberg: My question is about the negotiations with Sri Lanka on the debt issue. Is China close to agree on terms on the bilateral debt restructuring with Sri Lanka? And if so, do you have any details on how this might work or any idea about when this might be announced?

Wang Wenbin: Let me say again that we support Chinese financial institutions in actively working out the debt treatment with Sri Lanka. We are ready to work with relevant countries and international financial institutions to jointly play a positive role in helping Sri Lanka navigate the situation, ease its debt burden and achieve sustainable development. 

CCTV: The State Council Information Office released a white paper titled “A Global Community of Shared Future: China’s Proposals and Actions” this morning. Could you share China’s consideration behind this?

Wang Wenbin: This year marks the tenth anniversary of President Xi Jinping’s vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind. This morning, the State Council Information Office released the white paper “A Global Community of Shared Future: China’s Proposals and Actions”. Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the press conference. He gave opening remarks and took questions from the press. He pointed out in his remarks that the white paper is an important document that systemically outlines the core components of the thinking behind the vision and how it has been practiced. The document is also an important action on implementing Xi Jin