Wang Yi: China to uphold multilateralism with like-minded countries

China is willing to work in solidarity with like-minded countries to jointly safeguard multilateralism, defend fairness and justice, and oppose protectionism, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said during a meeting with his Uzbek counterpart, Bakhtiyor Saidov, on Friday.

The two foreign ministers met in Almaty for the Sixth China-Central Asia Foreign Ministers' Meeting.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, elaborated on China's principled stance on tariff issues, emphasizing that certain countries, under the guise of prioritizing their own interests, are resorting to bullying tactics and coercive deals, unreasonably provoking trade wars.

Such extreme, self-serving behavior has exposed their true nature and will only further undermine their credibility, Wang pointed out.

China firmly stands on the right side of history and international rules and is willing to work in solidarity with like-minded countries to prevent the world from reverting to a jungle ruled by the law of the strong, he noted.

Wang stated that China-Uzbekistan relations have been elevated to a new height as an all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership for the new era, demonstrating broader development prospects.

China is willing to collaborate with Uzbekistan to accelerate cooperation in key areas, promote the early completion and operation of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, expand cooperation in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, digital trade and climate change, and create a more impressive "report card" of achievements, Wang said.

This will help both sides advance their modernization processes and accelerate their development and revitalization, he added.

Wang also said that China, in line with the goals set by the recent Central Conference on Work Related to Foreign Affairs with Neighboring Countries, will adhere to a neighborhood diplomacy policy of fostering amity, ensuring stability, promoting prosperity, and practicing sincerity, mutual benefit, inclusiveness and good neighborliness.

China is ready to work with Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries to consolidate strategic mutual trust, deepen practical cooperation, and build a closer China-Central Asia community with a shared future, he stressed.

Saidov noted that Uzbekistan deeply cherishes its brotherly friendship with China, firmly adheres to the one-China principle, and will continue to resolutely support each other, serving as reliable partners.

In the context of profound changes in the current international landscape, the strategic significance of the China-Central Asia mechanism has become increasingly prominent, he pointed out, adding that China has demonstrated its sense of responsibility as a major power by honoring its commitments in international affairs.

Uzbekistan supports China's series of major global initiatives and welcomes the principles established by China's conference on neighborhood diplomacy, Saidov said.

Uzbekistan firmly supports WTO rules and is ready to strengthen coordination with China to jointly tackle challenges, uphold multilateralism and contribute to global stability, the foreign minister noted.

The two sides also exchanged views on strengthening cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Saidov expressed Uzbekistan's full support for China in fulfilling its responsibilities as the chair country and expressed confidence that the Tianjin Summit will be a complete success, injecting strong new momentum into the SCO's development.

(With input from Xinhua)