China Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun addressed a range of pressing international issues during the July 22, 2025, press briefing, including the record-breaking growth of the Belt and Road Initiative, Chinese and EU summit developments, ongoing U.S.-Chinese trade tensions, and the South China Sea dispute involving the Philippines. The conference highlighted China’s diplomatic strategies, focus on high-quality development, and commitment to multilateral cooperation amid rising global uncertainties.
China Foreign Ministry July 22, Press Conference Highlights
Beijing, July 22, 2025 – At today’s regular press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun addressed a range of geopolitical, trade, and diplomatic developments, reflecting China’s stance on key global issues, including the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China-U.S. economic dialogues, China-EU relations, and rising tensions in the South China Sea.
Belt and Road Initiative Reaches New Heights
Responding to a report noting that BRI project value in the first half of 2025 has already surpassed the total for 2024, Guo said that Belt and Road cooperation has now entered a “new stage of high-quality development.” He highlighted the initiative’s growing reach, from Eurasia to Latin America and Africa, encompassing physical, institutional, and people-to-people connectivity.
Key milestones include:
- Over 10 million passengers served by the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway.
- More than 110,000 freight train services by the China-Europe Railway Express.
- The first-ever two-way voyage between Chancay (Peru) and Shanghai completed via the China-Latin America land-sea corridor.
- More than 1.5 gigawatts of installed photovoltaic power capacity jointly developed with African countries.
- Small-scale development projects like Luban Workshops and juncao technology helping uplift local livelihoods.
Guo reaffirmed China’s commitment to shared development, stating that Belt and Road cooperation emphasizes “planning together, building together, and benefiting together,” adhering to principles of openness, green development, and high standards. He noted the initiative’s role in stabilizing global industrial and supply chains and assisting countries in their modernization efforts.
U.S.-China Trade Talks and Tariff Tensions
On the topic of U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s comments about possible discussions on Chinese purchases of Russian and Iranian oil, Guo restated China’s consistent position on tariffs. He called on the U.S. to implement the consensus reached by both Presidents in their recent phone call, urging Washington to reduce misunderstandings and build up cooperation through dialogue.
Guo referred further questions to “competent authorities,” signaling a cautious but firm position on strategic economic negotiations.
China-EU Relations at a Historic Juncture
With the Chinese and EU Summit underway in Beijing this week, Guo emphasized the significance of the relationship in the global context. He noted that 2025 marks both the 50th anniversary of these diplomatic ties and the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations.
Guo called the this relationship one of the “most influential bilateral relationships in the world,” bringing benefits to nearly 2 billion people and contributing significantly to global peace and development. He stressed the need for the Chinese govt and the EU to seize the opportunity of the summit to enhance strategic communication, deepen cooperation, and jointly stand for multilateralism and open engagement.
U.S. And Chinese Frictions: Exit Ban and Espionage Case
When asked about reports of a U.S. government employee facing an exit ban in China, Guo declined to provide details, stating that China upholds the rule of law and manages entry and exit affairs in accordance with its legal procedures.
On the topic of a Chinese-born American researcher admitting to the theft of U.S. trade secrets related to nuclear missile detection technologies, Guo said he was not familiar with the case.
South China Sea Tensions Escalate
In response to remarks by the U.S. defense secretary reaffirming Washington’s defense commitment to the Philippines—specifically extending to attacks on Philippine Coast Guard vessels in the South Chinese Sea—Guo issued a warning. He stated that any cooperation between the U.S. and the Philippines “should not target or harm any third party,” and strongly opposed actions that “incite confrontation and heighten tensions in the region.”
As tensions continue to simmer across multiple fronts, today’s press conference reinforced Chinese resolve to expand global partnerships through initiatives like the BRI, defend its legal stance on sovereignty and trade, and position itself as a stable player in an increasingly polarized world.