China has outlined a broad range of diplomatic and international policy priorities, including a high-level visit by Togo’s President of the Council of Ministers Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, renewed China-France strategic dialogue, closer China-Russia cooperation, China’s support for accessibility and human rights, and its decision to nominate a candidate for the World Health Organization’s top position.
The issues were discussed during a regular press briefing by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning.
Togo Prime Minister to Visit China
At the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang, President of the Council of Ministers of Togo Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé will pay an official visit to China from October 9 to 16.
Mao Ning described Faure as an “old friend of China” and said the upcoming visit will be his seventh official visit to China since becoming president of Togo.
During the visit, Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet with Faure. Premier Li Qiang and Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, will also hold meetings with the Togolese leader.
Faure is scheduled to visit China’s Shaanxi, Fujian and Guangdong provinces during his trip.
China and Togo have maintained diplomatic relations for 54 years. Beijing described the two countries as comprehensive strategic partners and said their cooperation has expanded across multiple areas.
Mao Ning said China and Togo support each other on issues involving their core interests and major concerns, describing their relationship as an example of cooperation between countries of different sizes within the Global South.
China said it expects the visit to further strengthen bilateral relations and contribute to building what it described as an “all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.”
China-France Strategic Dialogue to Resume
French President Emmanuel Macron’s diplomatic adviser Emmanuel Bonne will visit China from October 9 to 13.
During the visit, Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, will hold a new round of the China-France Strategic Dialogue with Bonne.
According to Mao Ning, the talks will focus on strengthening China-France cooperation in various areas and exchanging views on international and regional issues of mutual interest.
China also referred to Macron’s state visit to China in December, during which Xi Jinping and Macron held discussions on strengthening strategic communication, maintaining openness and cooperation, and supporting multilateralism.
Beijing said it hopes the latest strategic dialogue will strengthen coordination with France on bilateral and multilateral issues and contribute to the development of China-France and China-Europe relations.
China Discusses Relations With Russia
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning also discussed the visit of Russian Presidential Aide and Chairman of Russia’s Maritime Board Nikolai Patrushev to China.
She said this is Patrushev’s first visit to China in his capacity as chairman of the Maritime Board.
Wang Yi and other Chinese officials are expected to meet with Patrushev and exchange views on China-Russia relations and cooperation in maritime affairs.
Mao Ning described China and Russia as comprehensive strategic partners of coordination for the new era.
According to Beijing, political trust between the two countries has deepened in recent years, while strategic coordination and mutually beneficial cooperation have continued to expand.
China said it intends to use Patrushev’s visit to strengthen strategic communication, promote practical cooperation and add momentum to China-Russia relations.
China Responds to Questions About Trump and Japan
Journalists also asked whether U.S. President Donald Trump had asked China during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping to engage in dialogue with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and lift export controls against Japan.
Mao Ning did not directly confirm or deny the reported discussion.
Instead, she referred journalists to the official readouts released by China concerning the meeting between the Chinese and U.S. presidents.
China Highlights Human Rights Resolution at UN
China also discussed a resolution adopted by consensus during the 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
The resolution, proposed by China on behalf of 53 countries, is titled “Promoting accessibility for the full enjoyment of all human rights by all.”
Mao Ning said creating barrier-free environments is important for supporting people with disabilities and elderly people and for ensuring that different groups can participate equally in social life.
She said the initiative also responds to the needs of developing countries by encouraging greater technical assistance and international cooperation.
China previously proposed a resolution with the same title in 2024, which Beijing described as the first Human Rights Council resolution specifically focused on accessibility.
Mao said the latest resolution is significant because of the need to promote and protect human rights, address population ageing, use artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies to improve accessibility, and strengthen international governance and standards in related areas.
China said it will continue working with other countries under the four global initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping to promote what it calls “accessibility for all.”
China Confirms Nomination of Song Li for WHO Director-General
China also addressed reports that it plans to nominate senior public health official Dr. Song Li as a candidate for the position of Director-General of the World Health Organization.
Mao Ning confirmed that China has decided to nominate Song Li.
She said the WHO plays a leading and coordinating role in global public health governance and argued that multilateral cooperation remains important as the international public health system faces continuing challenges.
According to Mao, China’s decision reflects its intention to work with countries around the world toward a “global community of health for all.”
China also described the nomination as demonstrating its support for multilateralism and the WHO.
Mao added that Beijing believes Song Li’s election would help the WHO play a stronger role in promoting global health and human wellbeing.
China Condemns Chinese Embassy Intrusion in Tokyo
China also responded to questions about the first public trial of Kodai Murata, a former Japanese Self-Defense Forces officer accused of illegally entering the Chinese embassy in Japan.
According to the information presented at the briefing, Murata admitted entering the embassy carrying a knife but denied the criminal intimidation charge.
Mao Ning strongly criticized the incident, saying that a serving Japanese Self-Defense Forces officer entering the Chinese embassy with a knife and allegedly threatening diplomatic personnel with violence was a serious matter.
China said the incident violated the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and threatened the safety and security of Chinese diplomatic personnel and diplomatic premises.
Mao also raised concerns about what she described as the spread of right-wing influence in Japan and issues involving supervision and discipline within the Japanese Self-Defense Forces.
China urged Japan to deal with the case in accordance with the law, hold the alleged perpetrator accountable and take measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring again.
Germany-China Visit Remains Unconfirmed
When asked about reports that German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier would visit China, Mao Ning said she had no information to share at that time.
No schedule or details regarding meetings with Chinese officials were provided.
China Calls for Dialogue With EU on Trade Issues
The European Commissioner for Trade has begun talks in Beijing amid efforts to prevent further escalation in China-EU trade relations.
Asked about China's expectations, Mao Ning said China believes it is in the common interest of both sides to remain committed to openness and cooperation.
She said economic and trade disputes should be addressed through equal-footed dialogue and consultation.
China also urged Europe to work with Beijing in the same direction and resolve respective concerns through discussions, with the goal of promoting what it described as sound and stable China-Europe economic and trade relations.
China Rejects Cyberattack Allegations
Reuters asked China about a CrowdStrike report concerning alleged cyberattacks targeting South Korean financial institutions.
The report reportedly linked the activity to an unidentified actor who allegedly used a China-developed artificial intelligence penetration-testing tool and Chinese-language prompts. It also reportedly contained references that could suggest links to China, including Guangdong and a Chinese university.
Mao Ning said she was not familiar with the specific case.
She reiterated that China opposes hacking activities and deals with such activities in accordance with the law.
At the same time, she rejected what she called the spread of disinformation for political purposes.
Mao said artificial intelligence is having a significant impact on cybersecurity and called for greater international cooperation and dialogue to establish new international rules and strengthen global cybersecurity.
China Declines to Give Details on China-U.S. AI Dialogue
Asked when the first meeting under the newly agreed China-U.S. artificial intelligence dialogue would take place and which business executives would participate, Mao Ning referred the question to China's competent authorities.
No specific date or list of participants was provided at the briefing.
China Responds to U.S. Allegations Against Chinese Official in Fiji
AFP also asked about U.S. State Department accusations against Zhao Fugang, director of an overseas Chinese service center in Fiji.
The United States has accused Zhao of paying bribes to local officials to advance China's interests and has reportedly imposed an entry ban on him over what Washington described as significant corruption.
Mao Ning said she was not familiar with the specific matter and rejected what she described as attempts to vilify and smear China.
China Responds to Japan's Complaint Over Prime Minister's Title
Japan has reportedly asked China to show appropriate respect to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, objecting to Chinese officials referring to the prime minister by name without an official title during regular press briefings.
Asked about the complaint, Mao Ning said China has repeatedly made its position clear regarding the current state of China-Japan relations.
She did not provide further details.
China Calls for Dialogue to Resolve Europe Trade Concerns
Another Bloomberg question focused on China's trade relationship with Europe, with European governments seeking stronger protections in certain areas.
Mao Ning referred specific questions to China's competent authorities but reiterated Beijing's position that China and Europe should resolve their respective concerns through dialogue and consultation.
She said China hopes Europe will work with Beijing in the same direction and promote the stable development of China-Europe economic and trade relations.
Broad Diplomatic Engagement
The latest Chinese Foreign Ministry briefing highlighted Beijing's expanding engagement across Asia, Africa, Europe and international organizations.
The planned visit by Togo's leader, the China-France Strategic Dialogue, the visit of Russia's Nikolai Patrushev, China's WHO nomination and its position on China-Europe trade all point to Beijing's continued emphasis on diplomatic engagement and multilateral cooperation.
At the same time, China's responses concerning Japan, cybersecurity allegations and its relations with the United States and Europe demonstrate the range of diplomatic and geopolitical issues currently facing Beijing.
China said it would continue pursuing dialogue and cooperation while defending what it considers its core interests and responding to international disputes through diplomatic channels.
