CCTV: The Chinese side said that there are still a few Chinese citizens in Afghanistan. Are they in safe situation?

Wang Wenbin: China pays great attention to the safety of Chinese institutions and personnel in Afghanistan. At present, the Chinese Embassy in Afghanistan is working normally. Most of the Chinese citizens in Afghanistan have returned home under the arrangement of the embassy. The embassy maintains close contact with the few individuals who choose to stay there, instructing them to enhance security awareness and precautions and coordinates with relevant parties in Afghanistan to provide security guarantee in earnest.

The Chinese Embassy in Afghanistan has issued several safety alerts recently. For Chinese citizens in Afghanistan who have not yet touched base with the embassy, please inform the embassy of their address, itinerary, and the contact information of themselves as well as their relatives in China. Detailed information can be found on the homepage of the Chinese Embassy in Afghanistan.

AP: As Vice President of the US Kamala Harris is in Singapore and Vietnam this week, and some Chinese state media have written some editorials about it. I wonder if you could tell us what China's thinking is and do you have any comment on her visit to Southeast Asia?

Wang Wenbin: We always hold that exchanges between countries should be conducive to promoting mutual trust, and peace and stability in the region and the world at large.

Associated Press of Pakistan: Afghan Taliban spokesman said that they will soon announce a government framework. Do you have any comment on that?

Wang Wenbin: We noted relevant report. China's position on Afghan issue is consistent and clear. We hope that Afghanistan will form an open, inclusive, and broadly representative government, adopt moderate and prudent domestic and foreign policies and conform to the aspiration of its people and the common expectation of the international community.

Shenzhen TV: According to reports, US Secretary of State Blinken in a phone call with Lithuanian Foreign Minister Landsbergis on August 21 underscored ironclad US solidarity with its NATO ally, and its firm support of Lithuania in the face of China's coercive behavior. Does China have any comment?

Wang Wenbin: The ins and outs of the diplomatic spat between China and Lithuania are very clear. I would like to reiterate that China has the right to respond with resolute and necessary actions to provocative moves that seriously infringe upon China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

I also have this solemn message for the US: China won't coerce any country and won't be coerced by any country, either. The US had better keep the label of "coercive diplomacy" for itself.

Global Times:It is reported that, on August 20, the UK and the US imposed sanctions on Russian intelligence operatives and relevant agencies that are suspected of poisoning of Navalny. On the same day, the US Government announced to slap sanctions on one Russian vessel and two Russian individuals involved in the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. Do you have any comment?

Wang Wenbin: Regarding the the issue of Navalny, China has stated the position that it is entirely Russia's domestic affair on multiple occasions. It is unfair for the relevant parties to presume guilt of the Russian side before investigating thoroughly for the truth. Still less should they impose unilateral sanctions with presumption of guilt.

As for the Nord Stream 2 project, the US side slapped unreasonable sanctions on normal cooperation between two sovereign states under its domestic law. What the US has done tramples on international law and the basic norms governing international relations, and fully exposes the long-term hegemonic mentality and bullying practice of the US side, which will gain no support and surely face rejection by the international community.

Bloomberg: In an interview, Afghanistan's exiled central bank chief Ajmal Ahmady said that Taliban may try to go to other countries such as China and Pakistan for financing to replace the US. Does China plan to provide financing?

Wang Wenbin: I want to stress that the US, the important perpetrator and the biggest external factor of the Afghan issue, should not simply walk away. The US side repeatedly and explicitly pledged to help Afghanistan to maintain stability, forestall turbulence, and promote peace and reconstruction. However, we have seen continued reports about the insincere, dishonest and unscrupulous acts of the US side. We hope that the US will match its words with deeds, and shoulder its due responsibility in Afghan issue, and honor its pledge to assist Afghanistan in areas including development and reconstruction, and humanitarian assistance.

China always pursues a friendly policy toward the entire Afghan people. For a long time, China has provided much assistance in economic and social development in Afghanistan. China hopes to see an early end to turbulence and restoration of economic and financial order in Afghanistan. China stands ready to continue to play an active role in promoting peace and reconstruction in Afghanistan, and helping the nation to enhance the ability to achieve self-development and improve people's livelihood.

Beijing Daily: It is reported that more than 20 Asian-American groups in the US sent a joint letter to the US President Joe Biden on August 19, urging the administration to pause the China Initiative implemented by the Justice Department. They stated that the initiative was said to be carried out to investigate and prosecute trade secret theft and economic espionage activities, but in fact subjects Asian immigrants, particularly scientists of Chinese descent to "racial profiling, surveillance and wrongful prosecutions". Does the Foreign Ministry have any comment?

Wang Wenbin: We noted relevant reports. Previously, the US media revealed that the so-called China Initiative unfairly placed targets first, and carried out investigation accordingly. Such acts, in total disregard of judicial justice, will only result in wrongful convictions. Facts have proven that the China Initiative implemented by the former US administration, is in essence a tool for a handful anti-China politicians to abuse the concept of national security and go all out to contain and suppress China. It not only exerts severe impact on China-US relations, but also exacerbates racial discrimination in the US, severely harming Asian-American groups.

The US should earnestly correct its above-mentioned wrong practices, and stop perceiving China as an imaginary enemy, stop making up excuses to slander and suppress China, and stop interfering in normal exchanges and cooperation between China and the US in areas such as science and technology, and people-to-people exchanges.

AFP: Does the foreign ministry have any response to news that Nicholas Burns has been appointed the US ambassador to China?

Wang Wenbin: We noted relevant reports that the US president Joe Biden nominated Nicholas Burns, former Under Secretary of State, to serve as the US ambassador to China. China hopes that the newly nominated US ambassador to China will work for the friendship and cooperation between China and the US, and play a constructive ro