Graphics: Insights from Wang Yi's 2024 press conference

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, briefed the media on Thursday on China's foreign policies and external relations.

Wang took 21 questions and addressed a diverse array of topics during the 1.5-hour presser held on the sidelines of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress in Beijing.

The inquiries spanned from China's general diplomacy to its bilateral and multilateral relations, alongside regional hotspot issues including the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict and the Ukraine crisis.

CGTN analyzed the topics and the keywords from Wang's responses in the following graphic.

The most frequently used words at the press conference were "China," "development," "world," "cooperation" and "peace," according to CGTN's analysis on word frequency.

Six questions were related to China's diplomacy. 

Wang said China's diplomatic achievements include brokering a reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran – one of China's efforts to solve conflict through political means. China also helped negotiate a peace agreement in northern Myanmar.

Faced with the complex and volatile international environment, China will firmly be a force for peace, stability and progress in the world, Wang said. China advocates an equal and orderly multi-polar world and inclusive economic globalization that benefits all, according to the foreign minister.

Bilateral relations, such as China-Russia, China-U.S., China-EU and China-Africa ties, were the main focus of the press conference. 

China and Russia have forged a new paradigm of major-country relations that differs entirely from the obsolete Cold War approach, Wang said.

The U.S. should take an objective and rational view of China's development and match its words with actions to honor the commitments on China-U.S. relations, Wang noted.

Wang also expressed hope that China-EU relations will move ahead smoothly with green lights at every crossing. He added China and the EU should be characterized rightly as partners.

A new meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation will be held in the autumn in Beijing, where Chinese and African leaders will discuss future development and cooperation and hold in-depth exchanges of governance experience, according to Wang.

Concerning Taiwan-related issues and the South China Sea issue, Wang said China will never allow Taiwan to be separated from the motherland, and the country will respond to provocations with prompt and legitimate countermeasures in the South China Sea.

The country explores a Chinese way to address hotspot issues and supports Palestine in becoming a full member of the UN, according to Wang. He urged early negotiations on the Ukraine crisis to bring peace at an early date. Anyone undermining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula will pay a heavy price, he added.

Data editors: Zhao Hong, Sun Yiwen, Yao Nian

Graphics designers: Yin Yating, Du Chenxin