Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi Meets the Press

On 8 March 2019, the Second Session of the 13th National Peoples Congress (NPC) held a press conference, at which State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi answered questions from Chinese and foreign media about China’s foreign policy and external relations.

People’s Daily:The year 2019 marks 70 years since the founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). What are the most important achievements and experience of China’s diplomacy in these seven decades? How do they inform what you’re doing today?

Wang Yi: Indeed, 2019 marks 70 years since the founding of the PRC. Under the strong and correct leadership of the CPC, our people have forged ahead as one in the last 70 years and made great strides that have truly impressed the world. On the diplomatic front as well, we have broken new ground, overcome many difficulties and traveled an extraordinary journey. As General Secretary Xi Jinping has rightly stated, China is ever closer to the world’s center stage. Our diplomatic accomplishments are due, first and foremost, to the leadership of the Party, which is the fundamental political guarantee for China’s diplomacy.

For seven decades, the Party has advanced with the times, developed a rich body of diplomatic theories with Chinese characteristics and established a fine tradition with distinctive features. They include: independence as a cornerstone of China’s foreign policy, concern for the common good of humanity, pursuit of equity and justice, commitment to win-win outcomes, the mission of facilitating domestic development, and dedication to serving the Chinese people. At last year’s Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs, Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy was established as our guideline, an epoch-making milestone in the development of New China’s diplomatic theories.

It sets the fundamental course for our diplomacy in the new era and points the way for navigating through the complex array of issues in today’s world. The world is experiencing profound shifts unseen in a century. Chinese diplomacy has reached a new starting point. Led by the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, we will fully implement Xi Jinping Thought on diplomacy, uphold our founding principles and keep our mission firmly in mind. We will remain committed to the path of peaceful development, work for win-win outcomes, uphold the existing international system and shoulder more international responsibilities. We will both strive to create a better environment for China’s rejuvenation and make new and greater contributions to world peace and human progress.

China Arab TV: China will host the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation this year. Can you give us an indication of how many foreign leaders are going to attend and what China hopes the forum will achieve?

Wang Yi: The much-anticipated second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) will be held in Beijing in late April. It’s the most important diplomatic event China will host this year and an international gathering that will capture the world’s attention. President Xi will give a keynote address at the opening ceremony and chair a leaders’ roundtable. There will also be a high-level meeting, thematic forums and a CEO conference. The second BRF has three things to watch for: First, the number of foreign heads of state and government expected to attend will be much larger than that of the first BRF. Second, it will be a much bigger gathering with thousands of delegates from over 100 countries.

Third, there will be more side events including 12 thematic forums focusing on practical cooperation and, for the first time, a conference organized specifically for the business community. With the theme of “Belt and Road Cooperation: Shaping a Brighter Shared Future”, the second BRF aims to bring about high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). China looks forward to a full exchange of views on future cooperation plans. China will build consensus with the parties on high-quality development, follow the principle of consultation and cooperation for shared benefits, champion an open, transparent and inclusive approach to BRI cooperation, and strive for green and sustainable development.

China and the participating countries will seek greater complementarity between the BRI and their development strategies, agree on a line-up of key cooperation projects, promote the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and pay more attention to improving the lives of the ordinary people as we deepen our cooperation. China will act in the spirit of win-win, focus on improving physical connectivity, build a stronger momentum for common development and forge an even closer partnership.

China will champion open and inclusive cooperation, support economic globalization, uphold multilateralism and work with all to make the world economy an open one. As President Xi has said, the BRI originates in China, but its benefits are shared by the world. We have reason to hope and believe that the second BRF will be a great success and another milestone in BRI cooperation.

Phoenix Television: We’re following Ms. Meng Wanzhou’s case very closely. Many commentators say that Washington is clearly trying to take down a Chinese high-tech giant. What’s your take?

Wang Yi: It’s quite obvious to any fair and unbiased person that the recent action against a particular Chinese company and individual is by no means a pure judicial case, but a deliberate political move to bring them down. China has and will continue to take all necessary measures to resolutely protect the legitimate and lawful interests of Chinese businesses and citizens. This is the bounden duty of the Chinese government.

At the same time, we support the company and individual in question in seeking legal redress to protect their own interests and refusing to be victimized like “silent lambs”. People can tell right and wrong, and justice will have its day. What we’re standing up for is not just the interests of a company, but also a country or a nation’s legitimate right to development – and, by extension, the basic right of all countries who wish to climb up the technology ladder.

We hope all parties will follow rules, overcome prejudice, create a level playing field for the businesses of all countries, and provide a safe and reliable environment for the interactions of people of all nationalities.

Xinhua News Agency: At a time when international cooperation is buffeted by protectionism and unilateralism, China is increasingly seen as a champion of multilateralism and international cooperation. What will China do to uphold multilateralism?

Wang Yi: In the last few years, unilateralism and protectionism has reared its head and returned with a vengeance. The good news is that more and more countries are stepping forward to resist and oppose this disturbing trend. There’s a growing realization that in the age of globalization, all countries share the same destiny – we rise and fall together. Therefore, instead of each going his own way, we should act as a team; instead of each minding his own business, we should help each other as passengers in the same boat. Championing multilateralism is the overwhelming consensus of the international community.

China sees multilateralism as a cornerstone of the existing international order. The practice of multilateralism will, over time, make international relations more democratic and our world a more multi-polar one. China will carry the banner of building a community with a shared future for mankind, continue to stand on the right side of history and support the common interests of the majority of countries. China will work with all nations under the principle of multilateralism to resolutely uphold the international system centered on the UN and the international order underpinned by international law.

Reuters: There is deep and growing suspicion in the US about China. Do you believe that China and the US are inevitably headed toward confrontation? How do you resolve that?

Wang Yi: Cooperation and rifts have always existed alongside each other in China-US relations, but cooperation has always outweighed frictions. The recent period has indeed seen more problems and rifts in the relationship, but a historical perspective would reveal that what we’re witnessing is contrary to the long arc of our relations. We still have a positive outlook on China-US relations and trust that this view is shared by people in both countries. China and America should not and will not descend into confrontation.

A return to the outdated Cold War thinking goes against the current trend, is deeply unpopular and has no future. The interests of China and America are already inseparable. Last year, two-way trade exceeded US$630 billion, the stock of mutual investment topped US$240 billion and visits in both directions surpassed five million. Almost all major US corporations have business in China and all American states are engaged in cooperation with China. Some individuals vow to decouple our economies. This is just their wishful thinking. Decoupling from China would mean decoupling from opportunities, from the future and, in a sense, even from the world. Cooperation is still the mainstream of China-US ties.

Chinese and American leaders both agree to this description and it is supported by people of foresight in both societies. Our ongoing economic and trade consultations have made substantial progress, to the applause of both sides and the wider world. It shows that through consultation grounded in mutual respect and equality, there is no problem between our two countries that cannot be solved in a mutually satisfactory fashion.

China Daily: There has been some skepticism and criticism about the BRI, which is described as a “debt trap” or “geopolitical tool”. What’s your response to these allegations?

Wang Yi: Six years since it was proposed, the BRI has become the largest platform for international cooperation and the most welcomed global public good. To date, 123 countries and 29 international organizations have signed BRI agreements with China. They have cast a vote of support and confidence in the BRI. From the start, the BRI follows the sound principle of consultation and cooperation for shared benefits. It has created enormous opportunities for all participants. Thanks to the BRI, East Africa now has its first motorway, the Maldives has built its first inter-island bridge, Belarus is able to produce passenger vehicles, Kazakhstan is connected to the sea, Southeast Asia is constructing a high-speed railway, and the Eurasian continent is benefiting from the longest-distance freight train service.

In Kenya, the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway, built with Chinese assistance and dubbed “a project of the century”, has created nearly 50,000 local jobs and boosted Kenya’s economic growth by 1.5 percentage points. In Uzbekistan, Chinese construction workers in collaboration with the locals have, in just 900 days, built a 19-kilometer railway tunnel through high mountains, cutting travel time to only 900 seconds. Plenty of facts like these are proof that the BRI is not a “debt trap” that some countries may fall into, but an “economic pie” that benefits the local population; it is no “geopolitical tool”, but a great opportunity for shared development.

Signing up for the BRI has enabled countries to grow at a faster pace, improve their people’s lives and reap win-win outcomes. Of course, all new initiatives need time to mature. We welcome constructive suggestions from our BRI partners to fully reflect the principle of consultation and cooperation for shared benefits. I’m convinced that with everyone pitching in, the BRI will reinvigorate the ancient Silk Road in the new era and be a great help to nations and countries who are joining together to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

Associated Press of Pakistan: The relations between India and Pakistan have become tense following recent escalations. This situation could endanger peace and stability in South Asia. As a neighbor and an important country, what is China’s position on this issue?

Wang Yi: The recent events have refocused international attention on Pakistan-India relations. China has stressed from the beginning the need to exercise calm and restraint, prevent escalations, find out what has happened and resolve the matter through dialogue. In the meantime, the countries’ sovereignty and territorial integrity should be fully respected. China has followed these principles in its mediation efforts and played a constructive role in defusing the tension. In the last couple of days, both Pakistan and India have indicated a desire to de-escalate the situation and start talks. We welcome this. Pakistan and India are neighbors that will always live with each other.

They are both heirs to a millennia-old civilization on the South Asian subcontinent. Both countries face important opportunities to realize stability, development and prosperity. China hopes the two countries will get along, help each other and progress together. We sincerely hope that Pakistan and India will transform the crisis into an opportunity and meet each other halfway. We advise both parties to quickly turn this page and seek a fundamental, long-term improvement in their relations. When confrontation gives way to dialogue and disagreements are settled by goodwill, they can create a better future through cooperation.

Bloomberg: Last year Chinese diplomats had rows with their host government in Canada, Sweden, et cetera. Why have they become so assertive?

Wang Yi: Assertiveness has never been part of the Chinese tradition, and hegemony will never be our choice even when we become stronger. Yet like all countries, China will protect its lawful and legitimate interests and will not allow any infringement of its sovereignty and dignity. Whenever such things are at stake, Chinese diplomats, wherever they are in the world, will state China’s firm position.

As a civilization that has run uninterrupted for 5,000 years, China may be said to be the world’s most consistent and predictable country. China’s preference and goal have always been to interact with other civilizations on the basis of mutual respect, live in peace with all countries and pursue win-win results with the rest of the world. China will surely become stronger, but will not be assertive. China values its independence, but will not go it alone. China will stand up for its rights, but will not seek hegemony.

Now and in the future, China will always reach fair conclusions on the merits of each matter and act within the bounds of international law.

The two-hour press conference was attended by more than 600 Chinese and foreign journalists.