Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on December 9, 2022

During his trip to Saudi Arabia, President Xi Jinping expressed China's hope to level up trade, investment and financial cooperation and expand cooperation in such areas as e-commerce and digital economy with Saudi Arabia. We are confident that this visit will boost sustained, solid progress in China-Saudi Arabia cooperation for mutual benefits of higher quality and at a deeper level.

TASS: The US is set to levy fresh sanctions against China for its alleged human rights abuse and support for alleged illegal fishing in the Pacific, according to officials familiar with the matter cited by the Wall Street Journal. Do you have any comment?

Mao Ning: I am not aware of the specifics you said. I would like to say, as a principle, that China strongly opposes interference in other countries' internal affairs under the pretext of human rights. The US is in no position to impose unwarranted sanctions on other countries or act as a "world policeman". China will act resolutely to safeguard its lawful rights and interests.

China Daily: More than 100 young Chinese-language learners and enthusiasts from Saudi Arabia wrote a letter to President Xi Jinping recently to share their gains from and thoughts on learning the Chinese language. They expressed their wish to learn more about China. Do you have any comment?  

Mao Ning: The exchange and mutual learning between the Chinese and Arab civilizations date back more than 2,000 years. We have traded goods, sparked innovation and shared ideas, leaving a splendid chapter in engagement and mutual learning across continents. In recent years, the China-Saudi Arabia comprehensive strategic partnership has grown rapidly, cooperation in various areas keeps expanding, and Saudis have developed great enthusiasm towards learning the Chinese language and getting to know China. These Chinese-language enthusiasts are the future of exchanges between Chinese and Arab civilizations.

As President Xi Jinping wrote in his reply to those young Saudis, learning each other's languages and understanding each other's history and culture will help promote mutual understanding and forge closer bonds between the two peoples. To date, Saudi Arabia has included the Chinese language in its educational system, set up majors related to the Chinese language in nine universities and provided optional Chinese language courses in eight middle and primary schools. And over 40 Chinese universities teach Arabic as a major.

As China and the Arab world further deepen cultural exchanges, more and more young people will learn each other's cultures and become envoys for promoting the friendship between China and the Arab world.