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13:56, 08-Mar-2019
Quotes from Chinese FM's briefing on China's diplomacy in new era
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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi answered a series of questions regarding China's diplomacy when it comes to the the United States, Russia, Japan and the EU, as well as some high-profile issues such as the second Trump-Kim summit, the recent India-Pakistan conflicts and the Huawei legal cases.
On China's diplomacy in the new era:
"Our diplomatic achievements are due, first and foremost, to the leadership of the Party, which is the fundamental political guarantee for China's diplomacy.
"Through seven decades, the Party has advanced with the times, developed a rich body of diplomatic theories with Chinese characteristics, and established a fine tradition with distinctive features. These include:
Independence as the cornerstone of China's foreign policy,
• Concern for the common good of humanity,
• Pursuit of equity and justice,
• Commitment to win-win outcomes,
• The mission of facilitating domestic development, and
• Dedication to serving the Chinese people."
On China-U.S. relations:
"The most important thing we can learn from the past is that China and America stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation. Although a great deal has changed in the world and in both countries, this valuable lesson still holds true today and must continue to guide our interactions. We must stay the course without any doubts.
"Even as China and America engage in cooperation, there may also be some competition. This is normal in international relations. The key is to put things in perspective. Exaggerating our competition out of all proportion would squeeze our space for cooperation. The right attitude is to focus on expanding our cooperation, which is in our mutual interest.
"We still have a positive outlook on China-U.S. relations. Our two countries should not and will not descend into confrontation. A return to the outdated Cold War thinking goes against the present-day trend and will be deeply unpopular.
"Some individuals vow to decouple our economies. This is just kind of wishful thinking. Decoupling from China would mean decoupling from opportunities, from the future, and in a sense, even from the world."
On China-Russia relations:
"Marked by deep political trust, win-win economic cooperation and mutual support in the international arena, our relationship is held up as a good example of how major countries should interact with one another. A strong Sino-Russian relationship both delivers huge benefits to our people and contributes significantly to peace and stability in our region and globally.
"When China and Russia stand together, the world will be a safer and more peaceful and stable place."
On China-Japan relations:
"We are still in the early stage of improving our relations. Looking ahead, we must match our actions to our words, adopt an honest attitude toward history and an objective view of reality, work actively for a better future, and take more solid and determined steps in the right direction."
On China-EU relations:
"Europe has always prided itself on its independence. We trust that as a key force in the world, Europe will surely keep its fundamental, long-term interests in mind, and pursue a China policy that is independent, consistent and forward-leaning. We hope Europe will work with China to deepen all areas of our mutually beneficial cooperation, uphold international rules and contribute to global peace."
On the DPRK issue:
"As complicated factors are at play in the Korean nuclear issue, one cannot expect it to be solved overnight.
"The key to solving the issue lies in not being a prisoner of history and breaking the cycle of mistrust.
"It will be useful to work out a general roadmap for denuclearization and the establishment of a peace regime. Based on the roadmap and in a phased and synchronized fashion, specific, interlinked and mutually reinforcing steps may be identified, which will be taken in sequence, starting with the easier ones, and monitored in a way agreed to by the parties."
On the Belt and Road Initiative:
"As President Xi has said, the Belt and Road Initiative originates in China, but its benefits are shared by the world. We have reason to hope and believe that the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation will be a great success and another milestone in BRI cooperation."
On Meng Wanzhou/Huawei case:
"The recent action against a particular Chinese company and individual is by no means a pure judicial case, but a deliberate political move to bring them down.
"We support the company and the individual in question in seeking legal redress to protect their own interests and refusing to be victimized like 'silent lambs'.
"People can tell right and wrong; justice will have its day.
"What we are standing up for is not just the interests of a company, but also a country or a nation's legitimate right to development – and by extension, the basic right of all countries who wish to climb up the technology ladder."