Chinese FM calls for new Asia-Europe partnership

World
Europe

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the 13th foreign ministers' dialogue of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Myanmar on Monday, where he called for a new type of Asia-Europe partnership.

Guided by the principle of pursuing dialogue rather than confrontation and forging partnerships instead of alliances, the ASEM nations have maintained stability in Asia and Europe, Wang said.

They have contributed to Asia-Europe development by participating in and promoting globalization and expanding trade and investment, he added.

Asian and European countries have stood by multilateralism, committed to improving and reforming the system of global governance and dealt with challenges through cooperation, Wang said.

Wang urged Asian and European countries to voice support for multilateral trade systems and oppose protectionism to promote the liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment as well as economic globalization.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) shakes hands with German Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel on the sidelines of the 13th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) foreign ministers' meeting in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, Nov. 20, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

Creating good atmosphere for Rohingya issue

During meetings with German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel and the European Union (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Frederica Mogherini, Wang said the Rohingya crisis is a complicated one that is difficult to resolve in one move.

He encouraged Myanmar and Bangladesh to address the issue through consultation, and called on the international community to create a positive atmosphere rather than complicating the issue.

The most urgent task, Wang said, is to encourage Myanmar and Bangladesh to reach an agreement on the repatriation of refugees fleeing to Bangladesh, adding that China is willing to continue to play a constructive role towards this goal.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) shakes hands with Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ine Eriksen Soreide on the sidelines of the 13th ASEM foreign ministers' meeting in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, Nov. 20, 2017. /Xinhua Photo‍

Other issues

During talks with Mogherini and Gabriel, Wang also discussed the situation on the Korean Peninsula and Iran's nuclear program.

China has always promoted pragmatic Asia-Europe cooperation, Wang said, noting that in 2018 China will launch a series of activities with other Asian and European countries in the fields of connectivity, nuclear power safety and urban water resource management.

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Source(s): Xinhua News Agency