Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday exchanged views on advancing bilateral ties and addressing global challenges with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, Portuguese Minister of Foreign Affairs Joao Gomes Cravinho, Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt and Somali Foreign Minister Abshir Omar Huruse on the sidelines of the ongoing UN General Assembly in New York. 

China upholds objective and impartial position on Ukraine issue 

Wang reiterated that China will continue to uphold an objective and impartial position on the Ukraine issue during his talk with Lavrov. 

He noted the Chinese side hopes that all parties will not give up efforts on facilitating talks and insist on resolving security concerns through peace talks. 

Lavrov clarified Russia's position, stressing that security is indivisible. He told Wang that Russia remains ready to solve the problem through dialogue and negotiations. 

Amid the ongoing pandemic and complicated and uncertain international situation, Wang said China and Russia as permanent members of the Security Council and responsible countries deserve to play their due role. The two sides should deepen strategic cooperation, promote pragmatic cooperation of high quality, actively participate in global governance and make joint efforts to address global challenges, he added. 

Wang also stressed the two sides should push for the development of international order towards a more just and reasonable direction, jointly oppose unilateralism and power politics, and speak out for developing countries and small and medium-sized countries in defense of justice. 

Lavrov, for his part, said that Russia looks forward to strengthening coordination and cooperation with China in the UN, SCO, BRICS and other international and regional organizations. 

Taking China-Georgia ties to a new level 

In June, China and Georgia jointly celebrated the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties. Wang pointed out that the key to the success of bilateral ties is the two sides' unwavering adherence to mutual trust and mutual assistance, and their accommodating each other's major concerns. 

He hopes the two sides will work together to carry forward the traditional friendship and promote bilateral relations to a new stage of greater maturity, stability, pragmatism and efficiency. 

China encourages enterprises with strength and willingness to invest in Georgia, Wang noted, adding that the Chinese side is willing to strengthen cooperation with Georgia in ports, energy and 5G, as well as fully explore the potential for cooperation in fields including education, culture, science and technology and sports. 

Garibashvili told Wang that Georgia and China are each other's reliable friends and partners and thanked China for helping his country's fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Georgia will continue to adhere to the one-China principle and uphold an impartial position on China-related issues, he added. 

Stressing that Georgia supports and actively participates in the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, the prime minister said his country looks forward to giving full play to its own regional advantages and creating regional cooperation corridors. 

Georgia pursues a pragmatic and constructive policy, is committed to lasting regional peace and stability, Garibashvili said, adding that Georgia does not support the arbitrary imposition of unilateral sanctions. 

Portugal plays a positive role in China-EU relations 

Wang told Cravinho that exports of Portuguese agricultural and food products to China are growing rapidly and that cooperation between large companies from both sides and tripartite cooperation progress smoothly. 

An important EU member, Portugal has been playing a positive and constructive role in China-EU exchanges, he said. 

He added that China expects peaceful coexistence and mutual learning with European countries, including Portugal, and respect for each other's development path chosen on the basis of their respective historical and cultural legacy. 

For his part, Cravinho said Portuguese companies have a strong interest in investing in China. 

He said the Portuguese side appreciates China's positive role in international affairs and stands ready to maintain high-level exchanges and promote strategic dialogues with the Chinese side. 

Calling the practice of "One Country, Two Systems" in Macao effective, Cravinho said he expects Macao to continue to act as a bridge to facilitate Portugal-China cooperation. 

The two sides spoke highly of the smooth handover of Macao through friendly negotiations between the countries, which created a cooperation highlight, and pledged to jointly increase support for the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries. 

Free trade agreement expected between China and Norway

While meeting with his Norwegian counterpart, Wang noted that bilateral trade last year increased by nearly 40 percent year-on-year, negotiations for a free trade agreement have entered the final stage and a new version of the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement is about to be signed. 

China is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with Norway in multilateral institutions, such as the UN, and jointly practice true multilateralism, Wang said. 

Norway and China enjoy great potential for cooperation in climate change, economic transformation, renewable energy and green development, Huitfeldt said, adding that Norway is looking forward to accelerating a free trade agreement with the Chinese side and continuing constructive cooperation. 

China is steadfast in following the path of green, low-carbon and sustainable development, Wang said. 

The Chinese side vigorously develops renewable energy, with electricity generated by wind and solar power ranking the first worldwide, he said, adding that developed countries are expected to fulfill their commitments and provide financial, technological and capacity-building support to developing countries.  

China to stand with developing countries 

China will continue to be a reliable friend of Somalia and provide support and assistance to Somalia within its capacity to achieve common development and prosperity, Wang said. 

China firmly supports the governance of the new Somali government and believes that Somalia's peaceful development will continue to move forward, he said. 

Huruse said Somalia firmly adheres to the one-China principle and opposes interference by any external forces in China's internal affairs. Somalia is proud to have China, a major country with significant international influence, as a friend, he said.

China appreciates Somalia's firm adherence to the one-China principle and supports Somalia in safeguarding its sovereignty, dignity and territorial integrity, Wang said, adding that China will continue to stand with Somalia in the international arena to support its legitimate demands. 

China stands ready to strengthen solidarity with all developing countries, oppose unilateral bullying and jointly uphold non-interference in other countries' internal affairs, which is the basic norm of international relations, he said. 

(With input from Xinhua)