Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attends a press conference on China's foreign policy and foreign relations via video link on the sidelines of the fifth session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 7, 2022. (Xinhua/Chen Zhonghao)

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi answered 27 questions on China's foreign policies and foreign relations at a press conference with journalists from home and abroad Monday afternoon. His replies went straight to the point and clearly clarified China's positions and views. An outstanding impression people have is that this was a candid and pragmatic press conference. It's also a microcosm of China's image, which is gentle and confident, candid and sincere, a general tone based on peace and development, vividly showing what should be the behavior of a major country.

Wang used a few words to precisely summarize the international situation and China's stance in his opening remarks. In the 100-minute press conference, "cooperation" was mentioned more than 80 times. Against the background of profound change unseen in a century intertwined with the pandemic, it is of unusual significance that the Chinese side emphasized cooperation. Wang said at such a critical moment, countries need solidarity, not division, dialogue, not confrontation. Human society is facing fierce competition between the Chinese diplomatic lines and the US ones: Unity or division? Dialogue or confrontation? Multilateralism or unilateralism? China's choice is unquestionable and its words match deeds. 

The Ukraine crisis is one of the hotspot issues that receive the most attention at the moment. At the press conference, Wang reiterated China's position and expressed China's willingness to continue to play a constructive role in promoting dialogue for peace and working alongside the international community when needed to carry out necessary mediation. He also put forward a six-point initiative on preventing large-scale humanitarian crises. To speak for justice and do justice is the posture of China as a responsible global power, which is in sharp contrast to the US, which brings chaos wherever it intervenes. It's obvious to see who is the constructor of world peace. 

In the past year, the overall international environment has become turbulent, but it in turn has honed China's diplomacy. Chinese diplomacy has become increasingly mature and steady throughout the year, with remarkable performances. 

Trade between China and the EU has exceeded $800 billion for the first time; the number of participants in the Belt and Road Initiative has reached 180; China-ASEAN relations are moving forward as fast as a train running on the China-Laos Railway; The China-Russia relationship has become one of the most critical bilateral relations in the world. These are tangible results of win-win cooperation.

Photo: VCG

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, shared his advice on bilateral relations between China and Japan at a press conference on Monday on the sidelines of the fifth session of the 13th National People's Congress, urging Japan to master the correct direction, fulfill pledges and go with the trend of the times, amid existing differences and challenges.

The leaders of the two countries decided to normalize China-Japan relations half a century ago with great political courage as they agreed to build bilateral relations in line with the new era, Wang said, pointing out that some figures in Japan do not want to see China's quick development or a stable bilateral relations. 

Wang said Japan should not forget where it started and should follow the correct direction of bilateral relations, abiding by the principle of the four political documents that laid the foundation for bilateral relations. The two countries should "be partners, not threats" and "support each other's peaceful development."

Wang urged Japan to fulfill its pledges and safeguard the political foundations for bilateral relations. History and the Taiwan question rely on mutual trust and "if the foundations are not strong, the ground will shake." China hopes Japan will abide by its promises on those questions and avoid serious shocks to bilateral relations. 

"We hope Japan will go with the trend instead of against it, decline to pull chestnuts out of the fire for others, and avoid pitting itself against its neighbors," Wang said, noting that a Cold War mentality and geopolitical confrontations are no longer popular. 

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attends a press conference on China's foreign policy and foreign relations via video link on the sidelines of the fifth session of the 13th National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 7, 2022. Photo: The Paper

Within 100 minutes, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi responded to 27 questions on China's diplomacy and foreign relations, including on the Ukraine crisis, China-US relations, China-Russia ties and the Afghanistan situation, fully underscoring China's strategic composure amid growing uncertainties on the global stage, and its firm determination to handle complex international affairs in accordance with its own pace and agenda.

It was also a time to show the world the fundamental stance of China as a major power on global governance and regional affairs, particularly when regional conflicts emerge and escalate such as the ongoing Ukraine crisis, the international community eagerly needs China's wisdom and solutions given the role the country has played in multilateralism and China's interest in various spheres, experts said.     

However, due to the US-led West bloc's continuous slandering of China's image and misinterpreting its solutions to global governance, China has seen more challenges over the past year in handling global issues of concern and expressing its diplomacy, which is based on the principle of balance, mutual benefit and effectiveness, rather than being led by stances of certain countries or interference from third parties. 

"All the 27 questions cover various aspects including relations between major powers, regional issues and global governance. They are a very comprehensive and overall expression of China's approach, demonstrating the wisdom and responsibilities of China," Li Haidong, a professor from the Institute of International Relations of China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Monday. 

Growing complex situation 

Highlights from Chinese State Councilor and FM Wang Yi's Press Conference Infographic: Deng Zijun/GT

The US used the name of "democracy" to hold a "Summit for Democracy" last year to exclude half of the countries around the world, openly draw lines to split the world based on ideology, and create separation, which is an abuse of the spirit of democracy, said Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Wang made the remarks while answering a question from the Global Times at a press conference on China's foreign policy amid the two sessions.

According to the US State Department, after the "Summit for Democracy" ended in December 2021, US President Joe Biden "will host an in-person summit in approximately one year."

The US-hosted summit last year was widely believed unsuccessful, but it still announced it would hold another "Summit for Democracy" this year. "How will China comment and respond to this?" asked the Global Times reporter at the conference.

Many people around the world believe that US democracy is facing an unprecedented crisis, but the US has continued to attack and stigmatize China's democratic system, and been trying to use "democracy" to draw lines to split the world and contain China.

Photo: CFP

China-Russia relationship is valued for its independence, and the friendship between the two peoples is "rock-solid," Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Monday at a press conference on the sidelines of the fifth session of the 13th National People's Congress.

Experts noted that Wang's remarks have set the tone for China's stance on China-Russia relations which are free from interference. No matter how much the West provokes, the China-Russia relationship will not be affected by the Ukraine issue. 

"As permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, China and Russia are each other's most important close neighbors and strategic partners. China-Russia ties are one of the most crucial bilateral relations in the world, and our cooperation not only brings benefits and welfare to our peoples, but also contributes to world peace, stability and development," Wang said in response to a question on the impact of the growing collective pressures of Western sanctions against Russia and China. 

Last year marked the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation between China and Russia. In an increasingly complex global strategic environment, the concepts of intergenerational friendship and win-win cooperation carried by this treaty have a very positive and practical significance not only for China and Russia, but for all countries in the world, Wang noted. 

He stressed that China-Russia ties are based on non-alliance, non-confrontation and non-targeting of any third party, and are free from interference or discord sown by third parties. "This is both a summary of historical experience and an innovation in international relations," Wang said. 

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attends a press conference on China's foreign policy and foreign relations via video link on the sidelines of the fifth session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 7, 2022. (Xinhua/Chen Zhonghao)

The US is working to have a zero-sum competition with China, provoke China on issues that are related to China's core interests and draw small circles to contain China, a move that not only hurt bilateral relations but damages international peace and stability, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi told a press conference Monday afternoon on the sidelines of the fifth session of the 13th National People's Congress.

During the press conference, which lasted for around 100 minutes, Wang answered questions of journalists from home and abroad on China's foreign policy and foreign relations, including those on the Ukraine situation, China-US relations, China's policies in Asia-Pacific and Latin America and Africa. 

The US leader and some senior officials claimed that they did not seek a new Cold War, nor changing China's system or strengthening alliances to confront China, nor will they support the separatists in the island of Taiwan, Wang said, noting that it's a pity to see that all these remarks have been in the air and never come to the ground. 

Wang said that the US is relentlessly having a zero-sum competition with China, provoking China on issues that are related to China's core interests and drawing small circles in the international community to contain China. This not only harm bilateral relations between the two countries but also damage international stability, he said.

"This is not what a responsible country or a credible country should do. China, as a sovereign state, has the right to firmly safeguard its interests," Wang said.  

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

China will work with the international community to continue advancing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation as the cooperation has maintained a sound momentum despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said at a press conference in Beijing on Monday. 

Wang noted that the "hard connectivity" of infrastructure made solid progress, while the "institutional connectivity" of rules and standards yielded fruitful results, and the "people-to-people connectivity" featuring mutual help and assistance continued to deepen. 

Wang highlighted some achievement made over the last year. Major projects such as the China-Laos Railway have completed on schedule, while projects under construction such as the Jakarta-Bandung High-speed Railway has been making steady progress.

On Jakarta-Bandung High-speed Railway, Wang stressed that China will work for the early completion and operation of the project to further boost Indonesia's post-COVID development and the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries. 

Wang said that China-ASEAN relations will speed ahead like the trains running on the China-Laos Railway. Wang noted that China and ASEAN will promote the full and effective implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and start the construction of China-ASEAN Free Trade Area Version 3.0 as soon as possible, while expanding cooperation in new fields to create a new benchmark for regional cooperation

Photo:Xinhua

The Red Cross Society of China will provide a batch of emergency humanitarian supplies to Ukraine as soon as possible, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said at a virtual press conference on Monday on the sidelines of the fifth session of the 13th National People's Congress in Beijing.

The situation in Ukraine has become what it is today for a variety of complex reasons, and what is needed to solve such a complex issue is a cool head and a rational mind, not adding fuel to the fire which only intensifies the situation, Wang told the press conference. 

"China believes that the more tense the situation, the more important the talks. The wider the disagreement, the greater the need to sit down and have negotiations," he said. 

China is prepared to continue playing a constructive role to facilitate dialogue for peace and work alongside the international community when needed to carry out necessary mediation, Wang noted. 

As the conflict is ongoing, the Russian military will hold fire and open humanitarian corridors in several Ukrainian cities including the capital Kiev at 10:00 Moscow time on Monday, the Interfax news agency cited Russia's defense ministry as saying.

China India Photo:CFP

China and India should treat each other as partners of mutual success rather than adversaries of mutual attrition, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said during a press conference on Monday, noting that the two countries should not allow territorial disputes left over from history to affect the overall interests of bilateral cooperation. 

Wang made the remarks at Monday's press conference on China's foreign policy and foreign relations via video link on the sidelines of the fifth session of the 13th National People's Congress. 

When asked about the future of China-India relations given that the bilateral relations have been in the doldrums for the past three years, Wang said the two sides should stick to the strategic consensus of "not posing threats but providing mutual development opportunities to each other," and enhance mutual trust and avoid misunderstandings.

"China-India relations have suffered some setbacks in recent years, which does not serve the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples," he said. 

As for the border disputes left over from history, China always advocates managing differences through equal consultation and actively seeking a just and reasonable solution, said Wang, adding that these historical issues should not be allowed to affect or interfere with the relations of the two countries, especially the overall interests of bilateral cooperation.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attends a press conference on China's foreign policy and foreign relations via video link on the sidelines of the fifth session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 7, 2022. (Xinhua/Li Xin)

Taiwan question and the Ukraine issue different in nature, not comparable at all: Chinese FM 

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attends a press conference on China's foreign policy and foreign relations via video link on the sidelines of the fifth session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 7, 2022. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

The world recognizes China's democracy, Chinese people have full confidence in their path: Chinese FM

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attends a press conference on China's foreign policy and foreign relations via video link on the sidelines of the fifth session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 7, 2022. (Xinhua/Chen Zhonghao)

US Indo-Pacific strategy is to establish Indo-Pacific version of NATO, doomed to fail: Chinese FM

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attends a press conference on China's foreign policy and foreign relations via video link on the sidelines of the fifth session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 7, 2022. (Xinhua/Li Xin)

Chinese FM proposes six initiatives to avoid humanitarian crisis in Ukraine