Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, answered questions from Chinese and foreign media about China’s foreign policy and external relations on Thursday.
The second session of the 14th National People’s Congress held the press conference at the Press Conference Hall of the Media Center in Beijing.
“In this changing and turbulent international environment, China will remain a staunch force for peace, stability and progress of the world,” Wang said before taking questions.
Here are some of the highlights of the press conference:
China’s diplomacy
The year 2023 not only witnessed pioneering efforts but also great harvests in China’s diplomacy, Wang stated.
“We took steps to promote international solidarity and cooperation, and offered solutions to crises and challenges. We contributed to world peace and development, and broke new ground in China’s diplomatic theory and practice,” Wang told reporters.
Read more: FM: China to continue speaking for justice, promoting win-win cooperation in 2024
China-Russia ties
China and Russia have forged a new paradigm of major-country relations that differs entirely from the obsolete Cold War approach, Wang said.
“On the basis of non-alliance, non-confrontation and not targeting any third party, China and Russia strive for lasting good-neighborliness and friendship and seek to deepen their comprehensive strategic coordination,” Wang added.
China-U.S. ties
Peaceful coexistence is the bottom line of China-U.S. relations, and the consequences of a conflict between the two major countries are unimaginable, Wang said.
The United States should take an objective and rational view of China’s development, and match its words with actions to honor the commitments on China-U.S. relations, Wang said.
Palestinian-Israeli conflict
Noting that the failure to end the humanitarian disaster caused by the Palestinian-Israeli conflict today in the 21st century is a “tragedy for humanity and a disgrace for civilization,” Wang called on the international community to act to give priority to an immediate ceasefire.
“We support Palestine’s full membership in the UN, and urge certain UN Security Council member to stop laying obstacles to that end,” Wang said.
China-Europe cooperation
As long as China and Europe engage in mutually beneficial cooperation, no attempt to create bloc confrontation will succeed, Wang said, adding that deglobalization will not prevail as long as China and Europe stay committed to openness and win-win.
“A strong Europe is in the long-term interests of China. A strong China is also in the fundamental interests of Europe,” Wang told reporters.
Read more: Chinese FM: Deglobalization will not prevail if China, Europe embrace openness
Taiwan question
Wang stressed that the bottom line is quite clear that China will never allow Taiwan to be separated from the motherland.
All people of Chinese descent should uphold the overall interests of the Chinese nation, jointly oppose “Taiwan independence” and support peaceful reunification, Wang added.
Read more: Chinese FM: Taiwan’s separation from motherland will never be allowed
Ukraine crisis
China supports the holding in due course of an international peace conference that is recognized by both Russia and Ukraine and ensures the equal participation of all parties and fair discussions on all peace plans, Wang said.
He explained that “all our efforts point to one goal, that is, to pave the way for ending the conflict and starting peace talks.”
