Wang Yi: China stands firm as pillar of stability in turbulent world

China will always maintain the continuity and consistency of its major policies and stand firm as a pillar of stability in a turbulent world, no matter how the international landscape may change, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Saturday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in a keynote speech entitled "Firmly acting as a force for stability in a turbulent world" during the "China in the World" session at the ongoing 60th Munich Security Conference.

China will be a force for stability in pushing for cooperation among major countries, Wang said.

He said China will work with the United States to implement the common understandings reached by the two heads of state to push bilateral ties forward on the right track of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation.

Wang said China will push for the stable development of relations with Russia and promote strategic stability in the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large, and at the same time adhere to the China-EU partnership and inject positive energy into endeavors addressing turbulence, he added.

China acts on the Global Security Initiative and is committed to following a Chinese approach to resolve hotspot issues, Wang said.

He stressed that China insists on non-interference in other countries' internal affairs and stands against imposing one's own view on others. It adheres to fair and objective approaches instead of seeking selfish gains, to political settlements instead of the use of force, and to addressing both the symptoms and root causes, he said.

The Chinese top diplomat said that China has always insisted on managing differences and resolving disputes through dialogue and consultation.

Wang noted that China is willing to work with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to advance the consultations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea at a faster pace, and promote maritime cooperation and joint development.

China will be a force for stability in enhancing global governance, Wang said, adding that China supports the United Nations' authority and core status, as well as the Security Council's primary role in peace and security issues.

China has been strengthening solidarity and cooperation in the Global South and striving to enhance the representation and voice of developing countries in global affairs, Wang added.

China has also been providing the world with more public goods and making its own contribution to tackling global challenges, he said.

Wang said China will be a force for stability in promoting global growth.

China's economy has been vibrant and resilient, Wang said, adding that its long-term positive momentum has become more obvious. 

He added China's 5.2-percent growth in 2023 contributed a third of global growth. With its rapid growth, China – the world's largest market – will release greater benefits to the world, and the global business community generally believes that "the next China is still China," Wang also said.

China has been prioritizing its modernization efforts, he said, emphasizing that China is willing to work with all parties to promote globalization in a manner that is more universally beneficial and inclusive, ultimately benefiting more countries and people.

China will continue to expand institutional opening up, reduce the negative list for foreign investment access, and provide a more market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized business environment for European and other companies, Wang said, adding that at present, China has mutual visa exemptions with 23 countries and unilateral visa exemptions for many European countries.

In the future, China will provide more convenience for people of all countries to invest, do business, travel and study in China, Wang said.

It has now become an international consensus to oppose "decoupling," and more and more insightful people have realized that non-cooperation is the biggest risk, he said, adding that anyone who tries to "de-sinicize" in the name of "de-risking" will make a historical mistake. 

The ocean of the world economy will not be reduced into isolated small rivers, and so the trend of economic globalization will not be reversed, Wang added.

(With input from Xinhua)

(Cover: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, delivers a keynote speech entitled "Firmly acting as a force for stability in a turbulent world" during the "China in the World" session at the ongoing Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, February 17, 2024. /Xinhua)