Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a press conference on Sunday on the sidelines of the third session of the 13th National People's Congress and answered questions of journalists from home and abroad on China's foreign policy and foreign relations. Here are some key quotes.
"The solution to the problems occurring in globalization lies in its further advancement… COVID-19 drives home once again that no country, no matter how strong it is, can insulate itself from a global challenge."
- Wang Yi on post-COVID-19 world and future of globalization
"China is open to joint efforts by the international science community to identify the source of virus. Importantly, it must be a professional, impartial and constructive process… The whole process should be open, transparent, objective and rational." - Wang Yi on identifying the source of virus
"If anybody thought they could use some ludicrous lawsuits to undermine China's sovereignty and dignity or to deprive the Chinese people of their hard-won gains, they be daydreaming and bring disgrace to themselves." - Wang Yi on the lawsuits against China
"It is the most regrettable that while the coronavirus is still out there, a 'political virus' is also spreading in the U.S. and jumping at any opportunity to attack and slander China."
"China has no intention to change, still less replace, the U.S. It's time for the U.S. to give up its wishful thinking of changing China or stopping the 1.4 billion Chinese people's historical march toward modernization." - Wang Yi on China-U.S. relations
"With China and Russia standing shoulder-to-shoulder and working back-to-back, the world will be a safer and more stable place where justice and fairness are truly upheld." - Wang Yi on China-Russia relations
"China will work with other G20 members to implement the debt service suspension initiative to ease Africa's debt burden. China is also considering further bilateral support for African countries under the greatest strain to help our African brothers and sisters through this difficult time." - Wang Yi on assisting Africa's COVID-19 response
"Excessive unlawful foreign meddling in Hong Kong affairs has placed China's national security in serious jeopardy. Under such circumstances, establishing a legal system and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security in the HKSAR has become a pressing priority. We must get it done without slightest delay." - Wang Yi on situation in Hong Kong
"Reunification of the two sides of the Taiwan Straits is the trend of history. No individual or force can stop it from happening."
"We urge the U.S. side to fully appreciate the great sensitivity of the Taiwan question. We advise the U.S. side to ditch its illusions and political calculations. We ask the U.S. side not to make any attempt to challenge China's red line." - Wang Yi on Taiwan-related issues
"No matter what stage of development it reaches, China will never seek hegemony. Those who go out of their way to label China as a hegemon are precisely the ones who refuse to let go of their hegemonic status."
"We hope all countries will realize that humanity is a community with a shared future. We must render each other more support and cooperation and there should be less accusation and confrontation." - Wang Yi on allegation of "wolf warrior diplomacy"