Mao Ning (diplomat)

As a diplomat and spokeswoman for the foreign ministry, Mao noted that US lawmakers have a deeply flawed perception of China, terming it as "China-phobia".^[11] Mao was seen as a diplomat who followed Hua Chunying's "manly" assertiveness in diplomatic discourse.^[12]

In January 2023, after some countries imposed restrictions targeting travelers arriving from China, including testing upon entry and quarantine for those who test positive for COVID-19, Mao noted that some entry restrictions targeted only those from China claiming that it "lacks scientific basis and some practices are unacceptable". She further added that China firmly rejects the use of COVID-19 prevention and control measures for "political purposes" and "will take corresponding measures in response to varying situations based on the principle of reciprocity."^[13][14][15] Responding to the European Union's proposal to give China free vaccines, she stated that China has the capacity to produce enough vaccines and expressed confidence in the state's ability in controlling the epidemic.^[16]

Mao had asserted that "Taiwan is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China."^[17] In January 2024, after Philippine President Bongbong Marcos congratulated Taiwanese presidential candidate Lai Ching-te on his victory at the 2024 Taiwan presidential election, Mao said at a press briefing that Marcos' comments represent "a serious violation of the One China principle" and "a gross interference in China's internal affairs." She also stated that "President Marcos read more books to properly understand the ins and outs of the Taiwan issue, so as to draw the right conclusions." In response to Mao's comments, secretary of national defense of the Philippines Gilberto Teodoro said that Mao "stooped to such low and gutter level talk—resorting to insulting our President and the Filipino nation, and further debasing herself, the Ministry, and Party she represents in the process."^[18][19] The heated exchange between Mao and Teodoro over Taiwan signaled the Philippines' inability to balance its relations with China.^[20][21]

President Marcos's proposal for a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea made some annoyance in Beijing. Mao expressed that any desertion from the Declaration of the Conduct of the Parties in the SCS framework and "its spirit" would be considered "null and void."^[20] In November 2024, after China summoned the Philippine ambassador to object the Philippines' Maritime Zones Law, Mao urged the country to respect China's territorial rights over the South China Sea.^[22] She also urged the United States to stop "meddling" in the South China Sea dispute and called on to the Philippines to remove its Typhon missile system acquired from the U.S.^[23]

In January 2025, as the Myanmar military and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) signed a ceasefire agreement in Kunming, China, Mao stated that China's peace efforts in the north of Myanmar is in "the common interest of all parties in Myanmar and all countries in the region."^[24]