Chinese FM holds phone talks with U.S. secretary of state over bilateral ties, Ukraine

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi addresses the Manila Forum for China-Philippines Relations via video on Jan. 17, 2022. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

Wang said that the evolution of the Ukraine issue is something China does not want to see.

BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday held a phone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken over China-U.S. relations and the Ukraine issue at the latter's request.

Wang said that at present, the top priority in China-U.S. relations is still to advance and implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state in their video meeting, adding that China expresses grave concern over recent words and deeds of the U.S. side which run counter to the above-mentioned objective.

Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, and the Taiwan question is China's internal affair, Wang said, urging the U.S. side to return to the true meaning of the one-China principle, stop encouraging and supporting "Taiwan independence" moves, stop interfering in China's internal affairs, and safeguard the overall situation of China-U.S. relations with concrete actions.

The two sides exchanged views on Ukraine.

Blinken briefed the Chinese side on the U.S. views and position on the current situation in Ukraine. Wang said that the evolution of the Ukraine issue is something China does not want to see.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) meets with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Rome, Italy, Oct. 31, 2021. (Xinhua/Jin Mamengni)

The Ukraine issue is complicated, which not only concerns the basic norms of international relations, but also is closely related to the security interests of various parties, Wang said, urging for focusing on not only solving the current crisis, but also maintaining long-term stability of the region.

As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China always forms its own position and policy according to the merits of the matter itself, Wang said, adding that China believes that the Ukraine crisis should be resolved in accordance with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.

Firstly, all countries' sovereignty and territorial integrity should be respected, Wang said. Secondly, he called for peaceful settlement of disputes through dialogue.

Wang said that the Chinese side hopes that the fighting will stop as soon as possible, the situation on the ground will be eased, the security of civilians and property will be effectively guaranteed, and a large-scale humanitarian crisis will be prevented.

Wang pointed out that the Ukraine crisis can only be solved through dialogue and negotiations.

The Chinese side supports every effort conducive to de-escalation and political settlement of the situation, while opposing any moves which are adverse to promoting a diplomatic solution and add fuel to the flames, he said.

China will continue to speak out and do its best for peace, Wang said, adding that China encourages direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.

Though negotiations may not go smoothly, he said, the international community should continue to cooperate and support such efforts until results and peace are achieved.

The Chinese side, Wang said, also encourages the United States, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and the European Union to engage in equal dialogue with Russia, face up to the frictions and problems accumulated over the years, pay attention to the negative impact of NATO's continuous eastward expansion on Russia's security, and seek to build a balanced, effective and sustainable European security mechanism in accordance with the "indivisibility of security" principle.

The two sides also exchanged views on the current situation of the Korean Peninsula.