Q: The Relevant United States Judicial Authorities said Tuesday that two Chinese international students have been charged with smuggling a dangerous fungus into the United States for their research at an American university. What is your comment on this?

    A: We saw the news from U.S. media reports and are working on learning about the case through relevant channels. The Chinese Consulate General in Chicago has lodged a solemn démarche with the U.S. side on its law enforcement’s failure to fulfill the relevant obligations stipulated in the China-U.S. Consular Convention.

    The Chinese government has always required Chinese nationals overseas to strictly observe local laws and regulations, including the Entry and Exit regulations, while resolutely protecting their legitimate and lawful rights and interests in accordance with the law. China firmly opposes the U.S. side making political manipulation on related cases under the pretext of ideology and overstretched national security.