Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is participating in the Group of 20 (G20) meetings on Saturday, met with his counterparts from Argentina, France and Mexico on the sidelines of the meetings.

China, France to jointly address global challenges

While meeting with his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian, Wang praised the substantive discussions between the two countries during the United Nations' (UN) biodiversity conference, which recently ended in China's Kunming.

Wang told Le Drian that China has submitted new goals and measures to implement its national determined contribution, and will firmly fulfill its commitments while actively participating in international cooperation on climate change.

Le Drian said that France highly appreciates the positive and strong initiatives taken by China to conserve energy and reduce emissions, and is willing to work with China to tackle global challenges.

The two sides agreed to promote the success of the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow and the second part of the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15).

Noting China and France have maintained close high-level interactions this year, the Chinese foreign minister urged the two sides to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state.

He also called on the two countries to respect each other's core interests, take care of each other's reasonable concerns, maintain the political basis of relations between the two countries and promote practical cooperation.

As COVID-19 is still spreading around the world with slow global economic recovery and international peace and security facing severe challenges, Wang pointed out China chooses solidarity over division and cooperation over confrontation, which is also the common call of the international community.

He added as permanent members of the UN Security Council (UNSC), China and France should be highly vigilant against words and actions that create confrontation and provoke a new Cold War in the international arena, firmly defend multilateralism, resolutely oppose hegemonism, unilateralism and protectionism, and demonstrate the responsibility of major powers.

Le Drian stressed France firmly adheres to the one-China policy and respects the principles of national sovereignty.

He added France firmly supports multilateralism and has always advocated  handling differences through dialogue rather than confrontation based on the principle of mutual respect.

In terms of China-Europe ties, Wang expressed his hope that the French side will play its role while holding the EU presidency next year to maintain the tone of mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Europe and promote the sustained, healthy and stable development of China-EU relations.

Le Drian expressed France's willingness to communicate and coordinate with the Chinese side.

The two sides also exchanged views on issues of common concern, including the Iranian nuclear issue, and agreed to look forward to the resumption of negotiations on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and to reach an agreement as soon as possible.

Staunch supporter of multilateralism

When meeting with Argentinian Minister of Foreign Affairs Santiago Cafiero, Wang stressed that both China and Argentina are staunch supporters of multilateralism and common defenders of the interests of developing countries.

Noting China and Argentina are comprehensive strategic partners, Wang said the two sides have respected each other, treated each other as equals and supported each other firmly on issues related to each other's core interests since the establishment of diplomatic relations.

As next year marks the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties, Wang called on the two countries to strengthen coordination and dialogue and open up a brighter future for bilateral ties.

He also said that China appreciates the positive response of the Argentinian side to the Belt and Road Initiative and is willing to sign a memorandum of understanding on cooperation with Argentina as soon as possible to further promote the docking of development strategies.

China is willing to continue to provide vaccines and medical supplies to Argentina to help it overcome the COVID-19 pandemic as soon as possible, Wang added.

China will maintain close communication and coordination with Argentina in the UN, the G20 and other multilateral mechanisms, said the Chinese foreign minister.

Wang also extended a welcome to Argentina to actively participate in the China-proposed Global Development Initiative, urging to inject new impetus to accelerate the realization of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

For his part, Cafiero said the two countries enjoy a long history of friendship. He thanked China for supporting Argentina in maintaining its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and in the country's fight against COVID-19.

Cafiero stressed that Argentina firmly adheres to the one-China policy and is willing to take the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations as an opportunity to deepen pragmatic cooperation between the two countries in various fields such as trade and economy, water conservancy and finance.

China, Latin America are natural partners

Wang and his Mexican counterpart Marcelo Ebrard exchanged views on China-Latin America cooperation during their meeting on Saturday. "China and Latin America are natural partners and there is great potential for cooperation between the two sides," Wang stressed.

The Chinese side is happy to see that Mexico plays an active role in the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), and is willing to strengthen coordination with Mexico and other Latin American countries, work together to build the China-CELAC Forum, create a platform for enhancing trust, expanding cooperation and promoting growth, so as to inject new momentum into the development of both sides, Wang said.

China attaches great importance to its relations with Mexico and is willing to work with Mexico to push for greater development of China-Mexico ties, the Chinese foreign minister noted, adding that China is ready to take the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-Mexico diplomatic relations next year as an opportunity to summarize successful experience, plan and envision cooperation in the next 50 years.

Under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, bilateral relations have maintained a good momentum of development, according to Wang.

He called on the two sides to adhere to mutual respect and support, deepen strategic mutual trust, consolidate cooperation in traditional areas of strength such as agriculture, infrastructure and energy, expand cooperation in emerging industries such as 5G, electric vehicles, digital economy and green development, and cultivate new growth points for practical cooperation.

China and Mexico are both major developing countries and emerging economies with important influence, Wang said, adding that China stands ready to strengthen strategic coordination with Mexico under the United Nations and other multilateral frameworks to safeguard the common interests of developing countries as well as international fairness and justice.

China welcomes Mexico's active participation in the Global Development Initiative, he added.

For his part, Ebrard said that Mexico firmly adheres to the one-China policy and the principle of non-interference in others' internal affairs, and this position will not change.

Bilateral cooperation in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic has been fruitful and Mexico thanks China for providing vaccines and assistance, and hopes that with the support of China, vaccines can be produced in Mexico to help regional countries respond more effectively to the pandemic, Ebrard said.

Moreover, Mexico is willing to strengthen coordination on multilateral affairs with China, attaches great importance to the Global Development Initiative, and will actively study it, Ebrard said, adding that Mexico welcomes China to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.