Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi Monday met his counterparts from Nicaragua, Cuba, Pakistan, France and Ethiopia on the sidelines of the ongoing 77th session of the UN General Assembly, discussing bilateral relations and issues of mutual interests.
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets with Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on the sidelines of the ongoing 77th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, U.S., September 19, 2022. /Chinese Foreign Ministry
Pushing forward the China-Pakistan all-weather friendship
Meeting in New York, the Chinese and Pakistani foreign ministers on Monday agreed to maintain close high-level contact and promote the development of the unbreakable all-weather friendship between China and Pakistan.
China is willing to work with Pakistan to implement the important consensus of the two leaders, promote the high-quality development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, construct the flagship project of Belt and Road cooperation and accelerate the building of a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future, Wang told Pakistan's Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
Noting that Pakistan is dealing with severe floods and facing the heavy and complicated task of post-disaster reconstruction, Wang said the Chinese government and people will always stand with Pakistan.
The Chinese foreign minister also called for further efforts to ensure the security of Chinese institutions and personnel in Pakistan to provide solid guarantees for practical cooperation between the two sides.
Noting that Pakistan has always taken its relations with China as the cornerstone of its foreign policy, Bilawal vowed to consolidate the bilateral strategic partnership and deepen all-round cooperation between the two countries.
He said the Pakistani side will continue to pursue the one-China policy and stand firmly with China on all issues related to China's core interests, including issues concerning Xinjiang, Hong Kong and the Taiwan region.
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets with French Foreign Affairs Minister Catherine Colonna on the sidelines of the ongoing 77th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, U.S., September 19, 2022. /Chinese Foreign Ministry
China advocates managing differences through dialogue
Wang and French Foreign Affairs Minister Catherine Colonna exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis during their meeting, with Colonna expressing concern over the escalation and protraction of the conflict.
Wang told Colonna that China has always advocated settling differences through dialogue and will continue to play a constructive role in promoting dialogue and peace talks.
Stressing that both China and France are permanent members of the UN Security Council and have important responsibilities in maintaining international security and stability, the Chinese foreign minister called on the two sides to strengthen solidarity and cooperation to jointly address the current global challenges and inject more positive energy and stability into the world.
For her part, Colonna said, despite the profound changes in the current international situation, France and China's goal of maintaining world peace, security and stability remains unchanged as does their mutual dependence and efforts to jointly uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.
The two sides also agreed to deepen cooperation in dealing with climate change, biodiversity, food security and other areas.
Outlook for the Horn of Africa
During his talk with the Chinese foreign minister, Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen reiterated Ethiopia's commitment to promoting the peace talks on the conflict in Northern Ethiopia and spoke highly of the China-proposed "Concept for Peaceful Development in the Horn of Africa."
Wang said he appreciates the peace efforts made by the Ethiopian side, adding that China supports Ethiopia as it seeks to resolve issues in its own way and supports Ethiopia's proposal to institutionalize the Horn of Africa Peace Conference.
He said China is willing to maintain close communication with all parties, promote regional countries to build consensus, handle regional affairs independently and promote regional integration.
The two sides also vowed to uphold the principle of non-interference in each other's internal affairs.