Wang Yi meets his G20 counterparts to enhance cooperation

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Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met his counterparts from Australia, Britain, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Italy and South Africa on Monday on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in an attempt to enhance multilateral cooperation and strengthen strategic communications.

China is not pleased with the recent difficulties in China-Australia ties that have been caused by Australian side, Wang said while meeting with Australian counterpart Julie Bishop.

China pursues a development path which totally differs from other big powers in the world, Wang said during the meeting, emphasizing that China avoids interfering in the internal affairs of other countries with which it has friendly ties, not to mention the so called "political infiltration".

(L to R) Argentine FM Jorge Faurie, German FM Heiko Maas, Chinese FM Wang Yi and Australian FM Julie Bishop pose for a family photo at the Palacio San Martin during the G20 foreign ministers' meeting, May 21 , 2018, in Buenos Aires. /VCG Photo

Adhering to the concept of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, China always develops cooperation with countries like Australia to resolve problems through consultations on the basis of equality and mutual respect, said Wang.

Recently, China has noted the signal that high-level governors of Australian states, including Ms. Bishop, have given to improve relationships with China.

Wang said that China values the bilateral ties with Australia, willing to promote the relationship through communications.

"Once Australia rids itself of traditional thinking it can help get Sino-Australian ties back on a sustainable and healthy track."

Luis Videgaray, Mexico's foreign minister, from front left, Retno Marsudi, Indonesia's foreign minister, Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir, Saudi Arabia's foreign minister, Taro Kono, Japan's foreign minister, Jorge Faurie, Argentine foreign minister, Heiko Maas, Germany's foreign minister, Wang Yi, China's foreign minister, and Julie Bishop, Australia's foreign minister, gather before a group photo taken during the G20 Summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Monday. /VCG Photo

Bishop echoed Wang by saying her country values China's continued success, which is not a threat but an important opportunity not only for Australia but for the whole world. This is the mainstream views of Australian government and sections of society on Chinese issues, Bishop added.

Different paces of growth do result in some divergent attitudes between the two, but Australia is willing to show its goodwill, control the disagreements, avoid the mutual misjudgments, and settle down to the development of Sino-Australia ties, said Bishop.

When speaking with his British and German counterparts Boris Johnson and Heiko Maas respectively, Wang said that both of us are major countries with important influence and have a significant responsibility for world peace and prosperity.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas at the G20 Summit of Foreign Ministers, May 21, 2018, in Buenos Aires, Argentina./VCG Photo

Wang exchanged views with them on the Iranian nuclear issue, pledging to do their utmost to safeguard the international system of nuclear non-proliferation.

Johnson and Maas also shared their views on the current Korean Peninsula nuclear issue with Wang, stressing that their countries have always insisted on using peaceful means to realize the denuclearization of the peninsula.

In separate meetings with Saudi Arabian FM Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir and Italian FM Angelino Alfano, China appreciates the two's consistent supports for the Belt and Road Initiative.

Al-Jubeir and Alfano highly appreciate the initiative, and convey their willingness to play important roles in the maritime route.

During a meeting between Wang and his South African counterpart Lindiwe Sisulu, the two agreed that China and South Africa have improved their relations over the last 20 years, evidenced by high-level exchanges and deepened political mutual trust.

South Africa will continue to cement its ties with China in an all-round way, said Sisulu.

(Cover photo: German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas stands among his counterparts as they pose for a group photo at a meeting of the foreign ministers of the G20 group of economic powers in Buenos Aires, Argentina, May 21, 2018. /VCG Photo)

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