At France’s invitation, Ding Zhongli, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), will attend the Paris Peace Forum and relevant events on behalf of China from November 10 to 11.

China Daily: The Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents enters into force in China today. Is China fully prepared for compliance with the Convention? Could you share more information?

Wang Wenbin: On March 8, 2023, China acceded to the Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents. Since then, various agencies have coordinated with each other to complete the revision of relevant domestic laws and regulations, the system development of issuing Apostille Certificates stipulated by the Convention and the establishment of the verification mechanism, etc., and is now fully prepared for compliance with the Convention. The MFA and relevant local foreign affairs offices simultaneously held ceremonies for the issuance of the first Apostille Certificates this morning, officially announcing the entry into force of the Convention in China.

From today on, official documents sent between China and other contracting countries for use require only an Apostille Certificate issued by the countries they come from. Consular authentication is no longer required.

The MFA is the government agency responsible for managing Apostille Certificates and issues them for public documents issued in Chinese mainland. Entrusted by the MFA, relevant local foreign affairs offices may issue Apostille Certificates for public documents issued within their respective administrative divisions. For more information on the procedures of issuance and verification of the certificates, please refer to the official websites of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China Consular Service, relevant local foreign affairs offices and Chinese embassies and consulates abroad.

The entry into force of the Convention in China will bring huge institutional benefits to China and other contracting parties. China looks forward to working with all parties to promote the application of the Convention in more countries and to further facilitate international travel and business cooperation.

AFP: Premier Li Qiang held talks with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Beijing this morning. Can you brief us on the meeting?

Wang Wenbin: Premier Li Qiang held talks with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese this morning. For specifics, please refer to the readout that will be released soon.

Anadolu Agency: China, along with the United Arab Emirates, had called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council yesterday concerning the Israel-Palestine conflict. However, the meeting had failed to adopt a resolution to call for a humanitarian ceasefire. We have learned that the US side objected to the wording of the resolution and said they would pursue “humanitarian pauses” rather than a humanitarian ceasefire. Why do you think the US wants to pause the conflict rather than to cease the conflict? And can you describe more about China’s position during this debate in the emergency session of the UN Security Council?

Wang Wenbin: On your question about why the US only accepts “pauses” rather than a ceasefire, I think it’s more suitable if you put that question directly to them.

Let me say that as the rotating president of the Security Council, China will continue to work with relevant parties to galvanize responsible Security Council action and play an active and constructive role in ceasing the hostilities, easing the humanitarian situation, and ultimately realizing durable Palestinian-Israeli peace through the two-state solution.

Anadolu Agency: To follow that up, but during the meeting, was there a discussion? Because as we learned from sources, there was a discussion about the wording and I think China and the US were not in terms with the same wording. They say they want humanitarian pauses. The resolution, the offer for a resolution, was to call for a humanitarian ceasefire like in the United Nations General Assembly resolution on October 27. So can you give some information, some details about the conflict of position on wording?

Wang Wenbin: You may ask the US about its position.

Regarding China’s position, as we have said on a number of occasions, following this closed meeting of the Security Council, our Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Zhang Jun and UAE Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Nusseibeh had a joint press briefing about the meeting, which you may refer to.

Bloomberg: We reported today that the US Defense Secretary Austin has requested a meeting at the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus in Jakarta with the Chinese Defense Minister. Has the Chinese received that request and will you be sending someone to meet with the Defence Secretary?

Wang Wenbin: I’d refer you to competent authorities.

TASS: President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen yesterday at the EU Ambassadors Conference said that “every measure of influence that Beijing has on Hamas and on Iran needs to be used to prevent further escalation.” What is China’s comment?

Wang Wenbin: On the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, China remains on the side of peace, equity and justice. China has been in close communication with relevant parties and engaged in shuttle diplomacy to bring about a ceasefire and end of violence and call for the restoration of peace, which is clear to anyone with an objective view. The international community needs to take urgent action. Countries outside the region, especially major countries, need to form an objective and just position and play a constructive role in cooling down the crisis.