Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar that the two countries should strengthen communication and increase mutual trust amid heighten tension after India revoked Kashmir's special status last month.

Wang told Jaishankar that China and India are the two largest developing and emerging economies and that the two countries should strengthen strategic communication, enhance strategic mutual trust, proper settle, and control differences. 

The two diplomats met on the sideline of the high-level meeting of the UN General Assembly on Wednesday.

Jaishankar said India highly values the high-level exchanges between the two countries, and that it is willing to work closely with China on different issues and properly settle differences through dialogue.

Wang also met Saudi Arabia Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Assaf in New York. Wang told al-Assaf that China condemned the attacks targeting Saudi's oil facilities earlier this month and supported the Saudi government in defending its sovereignty, security and stability.

Speaking on China's preemptive efforts in combating terrorism and extremism, Wang called on more mutual understanding and support in issues concerning both sides.

Al-Assaf said Saudi Arabia supports the Chinese government in taking preemptive actions fighting against terrorism and the Saudi government opposes criticisms on China's Xinjiang issue.

The Saudi government is willing to enhance cooperation in fighting against terrorism and extremism, he added.

The two countries have seen more frequent high-level exchanges, which have increased mutual trust and promote cooperation in politics, investment and trade, he said.

Wang also met his South Korean counterpart Kang Kyung-wha on Wednesday.

The two exchanged views on the current situation in the Korean Peninsula and agreed to boost ties based on closer coordination in various areas. Wang said China stands ready to work with South Korea in advancing the bilateral ties to a higher level, calling for more cooperation in third-party markets and speed up the second phase of the Sino-South Korea Free Trade Agreement talks.

Congratulating Wang the 70th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China, Kang said that South Korea would like to expand pragmatic cooperation with China in various areas and push forward the alignment of China's Belt and Road Initiative with the South Korea's development strategy. 

During a meeting with Panama's Foreign Minister Alejandro Ferrer, Wang said China will further improve bilateral ties and continue to encourage its enterprises to invest in Panama.

The two countries have signed over 50 deals since the two established the diplomatic relationship in 2017 and the export volume of Panama to China increased by 30 percent in 2018 compared to a year earlier, Wang said. It shows that bilateral cooperation is based on mutual respect and mutual prosperity, he added.

China does not attach any political conditions or geopolitical interests in economic cooperation with Latin American countries, and such cooperation is not targeting a third party or country, Wang stressed.

Ferrer echoed Wang, saying establishing diplomatic ties with Beijing is Panama's decision in accordance with its own interests, and the cooperation is mutually beneficial.

Panama highly values its relationship with China and firmly supports the one-China policy, and it is a reliable partner of China, the foreign minister said, adding that it wants to continue to enhance and deepen cooperation with China.

On the same day, Wang held separate meetings with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio and Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias.

Wang told Le Drian China and France are permanent members of the UN Security Council and both countries advocate multilateralism and promote an open world economy, and China is willing to work closely with France in international affairs and further promote a comprehensive and strategic partnership.

President Xi Jinping's visit to France in March ushered in a new chapter for bilateral cooperation, and the sides have made progress in various fields such as a nuclear station project in Guangdong, law and judiciary area, and environmental protection, Wang said.

Such collaborations are symbolic in defending multilateralism, he added.

Le Drian said it is very important the two countries work closely to tackle protectionism, and France wants to deepen trade and promote cooperation in nuclear energy, climate change, and other international issues.

When meeting with his Italian counterpart Di Maio, Wang highlighted President Xi's visit in March.

Next year marks the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relations and China wants to consolidate mutual political trust and promote bilateral ties, Wang said.

In March, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and Wang added both sides should speed up implementing the projects under the deal and explore more opportunity in third-party market cooperation.

Di Maio agreed with his Chinese counterpart, saying that the two countries should expand cooperation under the BRI and third-party market. As the two countries celebrate the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic ties, Italy wants to deepen cooperation with China in trade, innovation, technology and infrastructure, he said.

Wang also met Greek Foreign Minister Dendias. Both diplomats agreed that China and Greece are ancient civilizations, and should continue to deepen mutual trust and strengthen cooperation under the BRI.

The Chinese foreign minister also sent invitation to his Italian and Greek counterparts to take part in the second China International Import Expo. Both countries will attend the event in Shanghai early November.

(Cover: Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets his Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on the sidelines of the 74th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, September 25, 2019. /Photo via Chinese Foreign Ministry)