Normal China-Russia trade, energy cooperation should not be disrupted: spokeswoman

The normal economic, trade and energy cooperation between China and Russia should not be interfered with or disrupted, Mao Ning, a spokeswoman for China's Foreign Ministry, said on Thursday at a regular press briefing in Beijing.

Mao's remarks came in response to an inquiry concerning U.S.' sanctions against Russia and the China-Russian economic and trade cooperation.

"China has all along opposed illicit unilateral sanctions. Normal economic, trade, and energy cooperation between China and Russia do not target any third party and should not be interfered with or disrupted," said Mao.

The Chinese Embassy in the United States hosted a celebration on Tuesday in Washington, D.C. to mark the 2026 United Nations Chinese Language Day, which fell on Monday.

The event attracted about 500 attendees, including teenagers interested in Chinese culture and friends from all walks of life.

Speaking at the event, Minister Qiu Wenxing of the Chinese Embassy in the United States said that Chinese is one of the fastest-growing foreign languages among college students in the U.S., with nearly 400 primary and secondary schools in 31 states offering Chinese courses and more and more American friends joining the ranks of Chinese learners.

He noted that the essence of the Chinese language lies in harmonious coexistence. At present, China-U.S. relations are facing challenges, which calls for even greater need to draw wisdom from the way of harmony and cooperation.

At the event, a touring troupe composed of teachers and students from four universities in central China's Henan Province presented performances such as folk music, martial arts, and Henan opera.

Chinese Language Day, established by the United Nations in 2010, is celebrated annually on Guyu, or Grain Rain, the sixth of the 24 traditional Chinese solar terms, to highlight the global significance of the language.