Highlights of press conference on China's foreign policy and diplomatic relations (2)

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attends a press conference on China's foreign policy and foreign relations, May 24, 2020. [Photo by Wang Zhuangfei/chinadaily.com.cn]

A joint fight by China and Russia against the novel coronavirus will give a strong boost to bilateral relations, Wang said.

China is willing to work with Russia to turn the crisis into an opportunity to maintain the stability of cooperation in energy and other traditional fields, and accelerate cooperation in new areas, such as e-commerce and medicine, to make new engines of economic growth after the COVID-19 pandemic, Wang said. 

On global aid

China has been offering assistance to other countries to fight COVID-19 with the sole intention of trying to save as many lives as possible, Wang said.

Wang said China never seeks any geopolitical economic interests through such assistance, neither does it attach any political strings to the assistance.

China has provided assistance to about 150 countries and four international organizations, held video conferences to share disease treatment and control experience with more than 170 countries, and sent teams of medical experts to 24 countries, according to Wang. 

On National security legislation for HKSAR

Wang Yi said the national security legislation for Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will not influence the legitimate rights and interests of foreign investors.

Wang said the draft decision to establish and improve a legal framework and enforcement mechanism for safeguarding national security in Hong Kong, which has been submitted to the third session of the 13th National People's Congress for deliberation, aims to punish the small minority of people who jeopardize the national security.

It will not influence the high autonomy of the SAR, the rights and freedom of Hong Kong residents as well as the legitimate rights and interests of the foreign investors, he added.