VOA interview: State Department Chinese spokesperson discusses Trump's UNGA speech and US‑China summit

Voice of America (VOA) interviewed the Chinese-language spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, focusing on President Trump's speech at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. The discussion covered themes of peace, prosperity, and national sovereignty, as well as the Iranian nuclear issue, the Russia-Ukraine war, and UN reform. The interview also touched upon a potential summit between Trump and Xi Jinping, U.S.-China competition in trade and technology, Taiwan's participation in international organizations, and the status quo in the Taiwan Strait.

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Jasper, we know that President Trump delivered a speech at the UN General Assembly this morning. First, could you summarize the most important core message of President Trump's speech this morning? Compared to last year, what issues does he hope the international community will pay more attention to this year?

I am very pleased to participate in VOA's program. President Trump's speech this morning summarized the three main themes of the United States' participation in the 81st UN General Assembly this year: peace, prosperity, and national sovereignty.

On the issue of peace, President Trump mentioned that since he took office last year, he has ended or resolved 8 wars, in addition to the Russia-Ukraine war and the Iranian military conflict. President Trump has been working hard to resolve these brutal military conflicts. With peace, there can be prosperity and economic prosperity. Therefore, President Trump also presented his economic policies this morning on how to achieve American prosperity and how to restore the American economy. He further stated that countries willing to engage in fair and reciprocal trade with the United States will also benefit and achieve their own economic prosperity.

National sovereignty is also a very important point. President Trump said that the United Nations originally had great potential, but in recent decades, it has deviated from its founding principles of maintaining world peace and security. How can the UN return to these founding principles? The U.S. government and President Trump have been calling for a series of reform policies for the UN to ensure that it can wholeheartedly devote itself to achieving world peace and stability.

You mentioned the issue of Iran. What is the key message President Trump wants to convey on this issue? And what role does he hope the international community will play in this matter?

Your question on this aspect is very accurate. President Trump mentioned that in the resolution passed by the UN Security Council in March this year, more than 140 member states joined the United States in condemning Iran's attacks on its neighboring countries and its obstruction of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Therefore, the Trump administration now hopes that other UN member states will continue to stand with the United States in opposing Iran's threats to its neighboring countries, exerting pressure on Iran, achieving Iran's economic isolation, and forcing it to abandon its plan to acquire nuclear weapons and its support for other terrorist organizations.

Regarding China and U.S.-China relations, which are of great concern to the audience, how does President Trump view China's role in the Iranian issue?

Because everyone is very concerned about the upcoming summit between President Trump and President Xi Jinping, I will not reveal details in advance, but I expect there will be new information in this regard.

You mentioned that President Trump and Chairman Xi Jinping are about to hold a summit, what significance does this have for Washington?

Details of the meeting can only be asked of the White House. What I can say is that President Trump and General Secretary Xi have already had a face‑to‑face meeting this year, and it is not ruled out that they may meet again later this year.

We know that China is one of the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. How does the United States view China’s role and influence in the United Nations?

President Trump noted that the United Nations has played a certain role in continuing the United States’ opposition to Iran’s threats to neighboring countries, referring to last month’s resolution, which I mentioned earlier. So President Trump is still calling on all UN member states, including the Council, to continue the United States’ opposition to Iran’s destabilizing actions and to further enforce Iran’s economic isolation.

We know that President Trump has consistently wanted to end the Russia‑Ukraine war. During this year’s General Assembly, what message does President Trump intend to convey to Russia, Ukraine and other countries on this issue?

President Trump is very willing, and very eager, to end this brutal war immediately. He calls for both countries to be willing to come back to the negotiating table, and he is ready to take a series of measures to achieve that goal. As President Trump mentioned today, he is also willing to meet anyone, to better understand the other side and its way of thinking. Regarding the five‑nation war

President Trump still wants to end this war immediately and achieve sustainable peace.

President Trump has repeatedly expressed a desire to build a good personal relationship with Xi. At the same time, we also know that U.S.–China relations have some differences in areas such as trade and technology. Can you tell us which fields are open for cooperation, which are competitive, and where miscalculations might occur?

Robin Guoqing also said, and his words are very apt: the direction of the 21st century will be decided by U.S.–China relations. No matter the field, there will be impact; our U.S.–China relationship will cover every area. With General Secretary Xi about to visit Washington, we can only wait and see what topics the two heads of state will discuss.

Taiwan is excluded from the United Nations and some other international organizations. Does the United States support, and how does it support, Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations?

The United States continues to support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations, including APEC. Like other APEC member economies, Taiwan contributes to the economic prosperity of the Asia‑Pacific region.

On the Taiwan Strait issue, what message does the United States want to send to Beijing?

Simply put, the U.S. policy toward Taiwan has not changed in more than 45 years. The United States still opposes any party changing the status quo; we remain focused on peace and stability in the entire region.

President Trump has repeatedly made the trade balance a key component of U.S. policy toward China. In this regard, what does the United States hope China will understand?

As we are about to hold a meeting between President Trump and President Xi, I cannot discuss in advance what topics they will cover.

Regarding the latest arms sale to Taiwan, will it be announced soon as media reports suggest it will not be announced in the near term?

For the arms sale, you can only ask our Department of Defense. I have no comment on that matter.

Jia Bo, we know that last year you said, as the State Department’s Chinese spokesperson, you wanted to use Chinese to better explain the United States to Chinese audiences. Over the past year, have you found any misunderstandings in Chinese media or online commentary about the Trump administration’s foreign policy that you think need clarification?

Of course, every piece of information attracts a variety of opinions and comments, so it is difficult for me to summarize in one sentence or make a blanket statement. What I can say is that I am honored to serve as the State Department’s Chinese spokesperson, and I am honored to use my own voice to convey U.S. foreign policy and diplomatic ideas to Chinese audiences.

Can you tell our audience what kind of relationship the Trump administration hopes to build with China? If you were to use a few keywords, what would they be?

That would depend on what President Trump himself says. I cannot speak for him in advance.

Jia Bo, is there anything else you would like to add, or anything you want our audience to know?

Thank you very much for inviting me to participate in Voice of America's program. I am honored to represent the U.S. government at the 81st UN General Assembly today, to continue to call for reform of the United Nations, and to call on all UN member states to join us in demanding that the UN return to its founding principles.