How ‘cold’ can it be in China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Briefing

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian’s Regular Press Conference on March 17, 2026

Global Times: It’s reported that Trump said he could delay his visit to China if China doesn’t assist with the Strait of Hormuz. What’s China’s response?

Lin Jian: We noted that the U.S. has publicly made clarifications on the misguided media reports, calling them completely “false.” The U.S. side stressed that the visit is not linked to the issue over the Strait of Hormuz.

(Those scare quotes around the word ‘false’ is from the Chinese readout. That is your signal that everything is not quite “kosher”. Reading this, Bloomberg and NBC are trying to get internal US information from the Chinese Foreign Ministry as their reporters have not been briefed from the US side. Their fishing expedition did not catch any fish. Baby it’s cold out there!)

Bloomberg: Actually, it was President Trump himself who said that. So I just want to follow up and ask: he did say that he wanted China to delay the summit that he requested China to delay the summit between himself and Chinese President Xi Jinping for about a month. The reason he gave was the need to oversee the Iran war. Can you confirm this? Has China been notified of any request to delay the meeting and are there any other details or comments that you can offer around the possible delay or the delay of this President Xi-President Trump summit in Beijing?

Lin Jian: China and the U.S. remain in communication on President Trump’s visit to China. 

NBC: Could you clarify when U.S. officials first raised the possibility of postponing or delaying the summit between President Trump and Xi. What would be a possible timeline for rescheduling this visit?

Lin Jian: China and the U.S. remain in communication on President Trump’s visit to China, including the dates. I have nothing to add at the moment.

CGTN: The UNHCR recently declared the ongoing crisis in the Middle East a major humanitarian emergency. The affected regions already host 25 million people as refugees, a large number of civilians are killed or injured in Iran, nearly 800,000 people are displaced in Lebanon, and countries such as Jordan and Iraq are affected. Does China consider providing relevant countries with humanitarian assistance?

Lin Jian: China stays committed to the vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity, internationalism and a humanitarian spirit. The ongoing conflict inflicted an excruciating humanitarian disaster on people and countries in the region, including Iran. China deeply sympathizes with people in relevant countries and our hearts go out to them.

China has announced the decision to provide emergency humanitarian assistance to Iran, Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq. We hope this will help ease the difficult humanitarian situation facing the people there. China will continue striving for a ceasefire, an early return of peace and stability to the region, and a stop to the spread of humanitarian crisis.

China News Service: It is reported that following days of heavy rainfall in southern Ethiopia, mudslides and landslides have killed at least 100 people, left about 60 people missing and close to 3,500 displaced. The Ethiopian government declared a three-day national mourning from March 14 to 16, during which the country’s flags will fly at half-mast. What is your comment?

Lin Jian: The mudslides and landslides triggered by torrential rains in Ethiopia have caused heavy casualties and loss of property. China deeply mourns for the lives lost. Our hearts go out to the bereaved families. We believe under the leadership of the Ethiopian government, the people in affected areas will recover and rebuild soon. China will do what it can to assist in light of Ethiopia’s need.

NBC: An additional question. Just to follow up on my question from before. You said that China and the U.S. are in communication, including the dates of President Trump’s visit to China. What are those dates that are being discussed? Could you clarify what dates are being discussed?

Lin Jian: I have nothing to add at the moment.

AFP: Pakistan last night launched strikes and hit Kabul. What is China’s comment on this? And is China still playing a mediating role between the two countries today?

Lin Jian: Afghanistan and Pakistan are and will always be each other’s neighbor. Issues between the two countries can only be resolved through dialogue and negotiation. China hopes that both sides will remain calm and exercise restraint, engage face to face as soon as possible, achieve a ceasefire at the earliest opportunity, and resolve differences and disputes through dialogue. China has urged the two countries to ensure the safety and security of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions there, and will continue to play a constructive role in easing tensions and facilitating the improvement of relations between the two sides via its own channels.

NHK: U.S. President Trump said he has asked countries including China to send vessels to the Strait of Hormuz. Has China received the request? What’s China’s response? (Similar question from Reuters)

Lin Jian: We’ve answered relevant questions yesterday and have nothing to add.

AFP: The European Union yesterday imposed sanctions against two China-based and one Iranian companies for cyberattacks against EU member states. Do you have any comment on this?

Lin Jian: China firmly opposes the EU’s illicit unilateral sanctions against Chinese entities and urges the EU to correct its wrong practices and work with China in a responsible and constructive manner to uphold peace, stability and prosperity in cyberspace.