China opposes power politics and bloc confrontation, stands for equality among all countries regardless of size, and advocates promoting greater democracy in international relations, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Wednesday.

Wang made the remarks when meeting with Mamadou Tangara, Gambian minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation, on the sidelines of the 48th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held in Pakistan's capital Islamabad. 

Commenting on bilateral ties, Wang said China appreciates Gambia having adhered to the one-China principle to maintain the political foundation for bilateral relations since the two countries resumed diplomatic relations in March 2016.

China will continue to support Gambia's efforts for national development and improving its people's well-being, he said, according to a statement released by the Chinese foreign ministry.

Tangara hailed the reliable and strong partnership between the two countries and reaffirmed Gambia's adherence to the one-China policy.

He said that like China, Gambia sticks to an independent foreign policy and firmly supports multilateralism.

Wang also met with Niger's Foreign Minister Hassoumi Massaoudou in Islamabad and Pakistani Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa in Rawalpindi on Wednesday.

Wang told Massaoudou that China stands ready to enhance coordination and collaboration with Niger in multilateral affairs, and jointly oppose hegemonism, safeguard international fairness and justice and defend the common interests of developing countries. 

Massaoudou underscored China's help to Niger in fighting COVID-19. Noting that China has become an important economic and trade partner of Niger, he said Niger stands ready to deepen its friendship with China and expects that it will get more support from China in growing the economy and raising its international competitiveness.

In his meeting with Bajwa, Wang said China appreciates efforts made by the Pakistani military to guarantee the safe and smooth advancement of the building of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and protect the safety of Chinese institutions and personnel in Pakistan. 

They also exchanged views on the situation in Afghanistan and Ukraine. Bajwa said Pakistan supports China in hosting the third meeting of the foreign ministers of Afghanistan's neighbors and appreciates China's just and balanced position on Ukraine as well as its efforts to facilitate talks. 

Wang criticized the attempt to seek one's own absolute security based on the insecurity of others.

China stands firmly with the Palestinians

Wang also met with Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki on Wednesday and assured him that China will continue to stand firmly with the Palestinian people.

Wang said China fully agreed to the calls made at the OIC meeting on the Palestinian issue, noting that the issue should neither be marginalized nor forgotten, and the injustice lasting over 50 years should not continue.

The Chinese foreign minister called on the international community to disapprove of the long-term indifference of the Western countries to the Palestinian issue, while stressing China will not cease its support for the just cause of the Palestinian people until the issue is resolved.

Wang said that China will stick to the four-point proposal it has made on resolving the Palestinian issue, and reiterated the specific approaches China has put forward to resolve the issue.

China believes that the authority of the Palestinian National Authority should be enhanced, and that the Palestinian factions should be supported for greater unity, whereby they can achieve a real internal reconciliation, Wang said.

China also considers it necessary to hold an extensive, authoritative and influential international peace conference with the participation of the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and all stakeholders in the Middle East peace process in seeking an effective way to find a political solution of the Palestinian issue, Wang said.

China will continue to call on the international community to increase its attention and input, and play a constructive role for the fundamental settlement of the Palestinian issue, he said.

China is ready to continue to provide anti-pandemic and humanitarian assistance to Palestine and help its refugees through the UN channels, Wang added.

Al-Maliki appreciated China's four-point proposal on the Palestinian issue. He thanked China for always upholding fairness and justice on the Palestinian issue and supporting Palestine in alleviating its humanitarian plight.

He looked forward to China's continued support for a fundamental solution of the Palestinian issue and the achievement of lasting peace in the Middle East.

The Palestinian side fully endorses the convening of an international peace conference and hopes that the upgraded conference will be held at an early date, said al-Maliki.

(With input from Xinhua)