Highlights of Chinese foreign minister's press conference (2)

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (People's Daily Online/Weng Qiyu)

Upholding Multilateralism

In the age of globalization, all countries share the same destiny -- we rise and fall together. Therefore, instead of each going his own way, we should act as a team. Instead of each minding his own business, we should help each other as passengers in the same boat.

Worries about Growing Tensions between China and the US

We still have a positive outlook on China-US 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 A return to the outdated Cold War thinking goes against the present-day trend and will be deeply unpopular.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 their wishful thinking. Decoupling from China would mean decoupling from opportunities, from the future and in a sense, even from the world.

BRI Cooperation

From the start, the BRI follows the sound principle of consultation and cooperation for shared benefits. It has created enormous opportunities for all participants.

Plenty of facts are proof that the BRI is not a “debt trap” that countries may fall into, but an “economic pie” that benefit the locals. It’s no “geopolitical tool”, but a great opportunity for shared development.

China-Africa Relations

After decades of diligent nurturing, the sapling of China-Africa cooperation has grown into a towering tree that no force can topple.

China-Africa cooperation is becoming more and more successful. This brings some criticisms and smears. But there is deep mutual trust between our two sides, our friendship is time-tested, and the fruits of our cooperation can be seen across the African continent. Slanders about China-Africa cooperation have no audience in Africa.

Pakistan-India Conflict

China sincerely hopes that Pakistan and India will transform the crisis into an opportunity and meet each other halfway. We advise both parties to quickly turn this page and seek a fundamental, long-term improvement in their relations. When confrontation gives way to dialogue and disagreements are settled by goodwill, they can create a better future through cooperation.

The Afghanistan Issue

Pursuing peace requires more courage than stoking conflict. We appeal to all parties in Afghanistan to set store by the greater good of the country and the people, seize the major opportunity for political reconciliation, settle differences through dialogue, beat swords into ploughshares, and join hands to push open the door to peace.

We already hope that this country, after suffering so much, will have a rebirth, take destiny into its own hands from now on, and enjoy genuine independence and lasting peace. Afghanistan should not again become an arena of great-power rivalry, nor should it be subject to incessant conflict and mayhem.

China-Latin America Relations

It’s up to the people of a country to decide its internal affairs. External interference and sanctions will only aggravate tension and bring back the law of the jungle. There have been plenty of such lessons in history, and they shouldn’t be repeated.

The sovereignty and independence of every country is precious, and must be cherished and preserved in equal measure.

The decision of Latin American countries to establish and grow relations with China on the basis of the one-China principle accords with the trend of history and our times. It’s a correct choice that serves their fundamental and long-term interests. Such a choice shouldn’t be interfered with or criticized.