BEIJING- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, attends a press conference on China's foreign policy and foreign relations on the sidelines of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC).

The minister answered the questions of journalists from China and abroad during the press conference which was held at the Media Center in Beijing on Thursday.   

The following is the summary of the minister’s answers, released by the Chinese media.

In this changing and turbulent international environment, China will remain a staunch force for peace, stability and progress of the world.

The CPC is dedicated both to pursuing happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation and to promoting human progress and world harmony. That is our mission and our duty. It is also our aspiration and our goal.

The year 2023 not only witnessed pioneering efforts but also great harvests in China’s diplomacy. The Chinese foreign service fully implemented the guiding principles set forth at the 20th CPC National Congress. 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.

We will be more confident and self-reliant in cultivating the features of China’s diplomacy. We will be more open and inclusive and conduct diplomacy with a broad vision. We will uphold fairness and justice, and further establish the ethos of China’s diplomacy. We will promote win-win cooperation, and stay true to the ideal of China’s diplomacy.

Russian natural gas is fueling numerous Chinese households, and Chinese-made automobiles are running on Russian roads. All this shows the strong resilience and broad prospects of China-Russia mutually beneficial cooperation.

Maintaining and growing the China-Russia relationship is a strategic choice by the two sides based on the fundamental interests of the two peoples. It is also what we must do to keep pace with the trend of the world.

China and Russia have forged a new paradigm of major-country relations that differs entirely from the obsolete Cold War approach. 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.     

In today’s world, hegemonism finds no support, and division leads nowhere. Major countries should not seek confrontation, and the Cold War should not be allowed to come back.     

This important tenet of building a community with a shared future for mankind demonstrates President Xi Jinping’s broad historical vision and deep passion for the world as the leader of a major country. It goes beyond the obsolete zero-sum game mentality, assumes the moral high ground of civilization, and captures the shared aspirations of all nations. It points the right direction for humanity at a historical inflection point where accelerated transformation unseen in a century is unfolding across the world.        

Building a community with a shared future for mankind has developed from a conceptual proposition to a scientific system, from a Chinese initiative to an international consensus, and from a promising vision to practical outcomes, showing strong vitality.

The number-one reality in today’s world is that all countries rise and fall together, and that the sure path to meeting the challenges is mutual assistance and win-win cooperation. The future of humanity should be decided by all countries together, and that the future of the world should be built by all peoples together.

China is ready to work with all countries to build an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world of lasting peace, universal security and shared prosperity. The road ahead may be tortuous, but the future is bright.

Our position is the three principles proposed by President Xi Jinping—mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation. 

The challenge for the U.S. comes from itself, not from China. If the U.S. is obsessed with suppressing China, it will eventually harm itself.

We urge the U.S. to be clear-eyed about the trend of the times, view China’s development objectively and rationally, engage in exchanges with China proactively and pragmatically, and act to fulfill its commitments.

An equal multipolar world means equal rights, equal opportunities, and equal rules for every nation. An orderly multipolar world means all should observe the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter. Universally beneficial globalization means growing the economic pie and sharing it more fairly. Inclusive globalization means supporting countries in pursuing a development path suited to their own national conditions.

Certain or a few powers should not monopolize international affairs. Countries should not be categorized according to their “strength.” Those with the bigger fist should not have the final say. And it is definitely unacceptable that certain countries must be at the table while some others can only be on the menu.

Multipolarity doesn’t mean multiple blocs, or fragmentation, or disarray. All countries must act within the U.N.-centered international system, and pursue cooperation under global governance.

There is no distinction between noble and humble lives, and life should not be labeled by race or religion.

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. Nothing justifies the protraction of the conflict, or the killing of the civilian population.

The long occupation of the Palestinian territories is a fact that should not be ignored anymore, and that the long-cherished aspiration of the Palestinians for an independent state should not be evaded anymore. More importantly, the historical injustice to the Palestinians must not be allowed to continue uncorrected from generation to generation.

We support Palestine’s full membership in the U.N., and urge certain U.N. Security Council member to stop laying obstacles to that

We learn from international practices and draw wisdom from Chinese culture, and we have found the Chinese way to address hotspot issues: a commitment to non-interference in internal affairs, a commitment to political settlement, a commitment to objectivity and impartiality, and a commitment to addressing both symptoms and root causes. 

On all hotspot issues, China always promotes talks for peace. We never add fuel to the fire.

All peoples in the world have a sense of justice in their hearts. Credibility comes before influence.

We will work with all countries to build consensus for ending conflicts, pave the way for peace talks, and strive for a world of lasting peace and common security.

In the context of China-EU relations, the two sides should be characterized rightly as partners. Cooperation should be the defining feature of the relationship, autonomy its key value, and win-win its future. We hope that China-EU relations will move ahead smoothly with green lights at every crossing. 

It is worth mentioning that China International Press Communication Center (CIPCC) arranged a program for journalists from around the world and took them to the Beijing Media Center to take part in the foreign minister’s press conference.

CIPCC, under the China Public Diplomacy Association (CPDA), has initiated a program to build a platform for the media from countries around the world, especially developing countries, to observe China and study development in this country.

The program aimed at media exchange was halted in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 epidemic.

In each edition of the program, journalists from all around the world gather together to get familiar with modern China and exchange their experiences in the field of journalism.

In 2024 edition of the program, scheduled to be held from late February until late June, over 100 journalists from more than 90 countries are participating.

Photo by Mahnaz Abdi