This June 12, 2018 photo shows Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaking at a press conference in Beijing. (ZHU XINGXIN / CHINA DAILY)
BEIJING – Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Sunday that China will fully implement the policies set by the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), and break new ground in major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in 2023.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks when addressing the symposium on the international situation and China's foreign relations in 2022 via video link. The symposium was co-hosted by the China Institute of International Studies and the China Fund of International Studies in Beijing.
Looking to the future, Wang said on the new journey to build China into a modern socialist country in all respects, China will stay committed to its original aspiration and founding mission, to a Chinese path to modernization, to peaceful development, to a global vision, to high-standard opening-up, to independence, to dialogue between civilizations, and to its fighting spirit
Looking to the future, Wang said on the new journey to build China into a modern socialist country in all respects, China will stay committed to its original aspiration and founding mission, to a Chinese path to modernization, to peaceful development, to a global vision, to high-standard opening-up, to independence, to dialogue between civilizations, and to its fighting spirit.
In the year of 2023, China will fully implement the policies set by the 20th CPC National Congress, and break new ground in major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, said Wang.
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"First, we will better serve head-of-state diplomacy and central tasks," Wang said.
Bearing in mind the country's most fundamental interests, and making sure its work conforms with the central tasks of the Party and the country, China's diplomatic front will accurately understand and wisely respond to changes, and take action to make changes, and do its best to prevent and defuse major external risks and challenges, Wang added.
Second, China will expand all-round diplomacy in a coordinated manner.
Wang said China will deepen strategic mutual trust and mutually beneficial cooperation with Russia, strive to recalibrate China-US relationship and bring it back on the right course, promote the sound and steady growth of China-Europe relations, deepen friendship, mutual trust and convergence of interests with neighbor countries, and strengthen solidarity and cooperation with other developing countries.
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"Third, we will continue to look for the widest possible convergence of interests in global governance," Wang said, adding that China will hold high the banner of building a community with a shared future for mankind, and vigorously advocate the common values of humanity.
Based on the implementation of the Global Development Initiative (GDI) and the Global Security Initiative (GSI), China will firmly uphold the UN-centered international system and the international order underpinned by international law, and build more consensus, pool greater strength and take more actions for the cause of global development and security, said Wang.
"Fourth, we will actively serve high-quality development and opening-up," said Wang.
The convening of the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation can help jointly take stock of the achievements and draw up a blueprint to make this "belt of development" that benefits the world more prosperous and broaden this "road to happiness" that benefits humanity, he said.
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Given the new situation in the COVID-19 response, China considers it necessary to further facilitate the flow of personnel between China and other countries, ensure stable and smooth industrial and supply chains, and foster new drivers for global development, Wang added
Given the new situation in the COVID-19 response, China considers it necessary to further facilitate the flow of personnel between China and other countries, ensure stable and smooth industrial and supply chains, and foster new drivers for global development, Wang added.
"Fifth, we will build a stronger line of defense to protect our national interests," Wang said, adding that China will firmly safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, resolutely fight all forces that attempt to hold back and even halt the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and hold the strategic initiative of national development and security firmly in its own hands.
Sixth, China will focus on strengthening its international communication capacity and make its voice heard loud and clear.
"We will tell engaging stories of the CPC, of Chinese modernization, and of building a community with a shared future for mankind, so as to steadily increase the world's understanding and recognition of the Chinese path, visions and system," Wang said.
Peace and development
Wang said China will commit itself to the noble cause of peace and development for humanity on the new journey to build China into a modern socialist country in all respects.
He said on the new journey, China will stay committed to its original aspiration and founding mission, and dedicate itself to pursuing human progress and world harmony.
"We will have a deep reflection on the future of humanity, devote ourselves to achieving rejuvenation and lasting greatness for the Chinese nation, commit ourselves to the noble cause of peace and development for humanity, and contribute to the grand cause of the continuation and transformation of the international system," Wang said.
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China will stick to a Chinese path to modernization, not only creating a new form of human advancement, but also providing new choices for developing countries, and firmly support developing countries in exploring development paths suited to their national conditions and embarking on a fast track toward modernization at an early date, Wang said.
Wang said China will stay committed to peaceful development, never seek hegemony or expansion, oppose hegemonism and power politics of all forms and manifestations, defend the legitimate rights of its people and people of all countries to pursue peace and development, and make China's contribution to addressing deficits in development and security.
Noting that China will keep a global vision and stay committed to the noble cause of common good, Wang said China will follow the right approach in advancing the cause, promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, and work for building an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world that enjoys lasting peace, universal security and common prosperity.
China will persist in high-standard opening-up, pursue a mutually beneficial strategy of opening-up, adhere to the right course of economic globalization, promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation and the building of an open world economy, and create new opportunities for the world with China's own development, said Wang
China will persist in high-standard opening-up, pursue a mutually beneficial strategy of opening-up, adhere to the right course of economic globalization, promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation and the building of an open world economy, and create new opportunities for the world with China's own development, said Wang.
Head-of-state diplomacy
Wang also said that the head-of-state diplomacy has been immensely successful with one significant event after another and has set the pace for China's overall diplomatic work, which can be highlighted as one home-ground event, two major initiatives, and three important visits.
Noting the home-ground event is the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, Wang said with the concerted efforts of China and the international community, the Games were a resounding success.
The opening ceremony brought together 31 heads of state, government, and international organizations from five continents who joined us in the celebration of the Games, Wang said.
"The international community has experienced a China that is more confident, striving, open and inclusive. The Beijing rendezvous on ice and snow marked a new milestone in the endeavor of the peoples across the world to embrace new hopes and pursue a shared future together," he added.
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Wang said the two major initiatives are the GDI and the GSI. In April this year, President Xi Jinping unveiled the GSI at the Boao Forum for Asia, offering a Chinese proposal for addressing global security challenges and achieving durable peace and security in the world.
"The international community responded to the GSI favorably. In a matter of six months, over 70 countries have expressed endorsement and support of the initiative," noted Wang.
Wang also said as the chair of the first High-level Dialogue on Global Development held in June on the margins of a BRICS Summit, President Xi announced 32 major measures China would take to implement the GDI, and an open-ended pool of GDI projects and the Global Development Promotion Center were created.
Wang said the three major visits refer to those made by President Xi from September to December, the first of its kind since the COVID-19 outbreak. They include the Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Samarkand, the G20 Summit in Bali and the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Bangkok, and the first China-Arab States Summit and the China-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit in Riyadh.
"In the period before and after the 20th CPC National Congress, President Xi Jinping attended five multilateral summits and held bilateral meetings with leaders of more than 40 countries, creating three peaks for head-of-state diplomacy this year and making a good start to the work of the CPC's new collective central leadership in China's foreign affairs," Wang added.