Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi holds a video meeting with New Zealand's Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta, June 22, 2021. (PHOTO / MFA.GOV.CN)
PHNOM PENH – Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here Thursday that China is ready to work with New Zealand to push forward their comprehensive strategic partnership to yield more fruits.
At a meeting with New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta on the sidelines of meetings of foreign ministers on East Asia cooperation, Wang expressed Beijing’s appreciation of New Zealand for pursuing a pragmatic policy toward China.
China is willing to work with New Zealand to respect each other's national sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as core interests and major concerns, in order to advance China-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership to achieve more results, he said.
Wang elaborated on China's solemn position on the Taiwan question, stressing it is the US side that stoked provocation, undermined peace and created crises in the first place.
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China's response in this regard is reasonable and legitimate, he said, stressing that China will firmly safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity, uphold international law, and maintain regional peace and stability.
New Zealand is willing to continue strengthening effective cooperation with China in various fields, Mahuta said, welcoming both sides to increase the frequency of direct flights and facilitate people-to-people exchanges.
New Zealand continues to adhere to the one-China policy, respects China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and advocates upholding the basic norms of international relations, jointly addressing global challenges, and working together to maintain regional peace and stability, she said.
This undated file photo shows the exhibition booth of New Zealand at the third China International Import Expo in Shanghai, east China. (NEW ZEALAND TRADE AND ENTERRISE / HANDOUT VIA XINHUA)
New Zealand has noticed that China's exchanges with South Pacific Island countries are nothing new, Mahuta, expressing her hope that China will continue strengthening cooperation with the island countries through the Pacific Islands Forum.
New Zealand and China have different views on some issues, but both sides can maintain candid communication, she added.
Pointing out that the exchanges between China and South Pacific Island countries have lasted for half a century, Wang said China always respects the sovereignty and needs of the island countries, and adheres to the principle of "island countries-led and island countries-owned”.
‘China, Laos to build unbreakable community’
During his meeting with Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Saleumxay Kommasith in Phom Penh, Wang lauded the strong momentum of development of China-Laos relations and the fruitful results of practical cooperation between the two countries.
Thanking China for its long-standing support and assistance to Laos' economic and social development, Saleumxay said the two countries have worked together to overcome the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and achieved remarkable results in practical cooperation.
He said the recent US provocative moves on the Taiwan question broke its own commitments, violated the basic norms governing international relations, and infringed upon China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
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The Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs has immediately issued a statement, making it clear that the Lao side adheres to the one-China principle and reiterating that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, Saleumxay added.
Laos opposes any attempt to create "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan," and will continue to stand firmly with China and support China in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity, he noted.
Wang said the US, for its self-serving interests, has used every means without a bottom line, ignored basic norms governing international relations, and blatantly violated China's sovereignty.
He said China appreciates Laos' just position, and will continue to strengthen solidarity with the Lao side.
China, Cambodia to further partnership
During his talks with Wang Yi here on Wednesday, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn said the US has recently violated China's sovereignty, reneged on its own promise and heightened the tension across the Taiwan Straits, which exposed Washington's failure to match its words with actions as well as its hegemonic nature.
Cambodia firmly adheres to the one-China policy and backs China's justified position on its internal affairs including Taiwan, Xinjiang and Tibet, he said, adding that Cambodia supports China in safeguarding its legitimate rights and interests, and in responding resolutely to provocative US actions.
Sokhonn expressed gratitude to China for its long-time firm support for Cambodia in pursuing a development path suited to its own national condition, and in facilitating economic construction and improving people's livelihood.
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Wang stressed that the rights and wrongs concerning the current intense situation across the Taiwan Strait is crystal clear that it is the US side sabotaged the stability across the Taiwan Strait.
China, Türkiye to promote cooperation
During his meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Wang said major countries should have taken the lead in abiding by the UN Charter in the face of the current international landscape featuring a sharp increase in instability, uncertainty and disturbance.
But the US is doing the opposite, blatantly challenging China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and disrupting the peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, said the Chinese minister.
Cavusoglu said his country firmly adheres to the one-China policy not only on the Taiwan question but also on issues concerning Xinjiang, adding that the Turkish side was glad to see United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet visit Xinjiang, and hopes to keep contact with China over affairs related to the visit to Xinjiang by a Turkish delegation, he said.
Amid the serious challenges induced by the Ukraine crisis to global economic recovery, Türkiye is willing to reinforce its solidarity with China and jointly cope with food security and other difficult situations, said Cavusoglu.
Pointing out that Beijing appreciates Türkiye's active part in mediating the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Wang expressed China’s support for Türkiye in playing a constructive role in securing a soft landing of the Ukraine crisis.