Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a press conference on Thursday as part of the second session of the 14th National People’s Assembly of China, where he outlined his country’s position on various issues.

China will strive for its own development

Wang Yi emphasized that in the face of global transformation and instability, China continues to play a constructive role in maintaining world peace, stability and progress.

According to the minister, the world’s architecture is currently undergoing profound changes, and society is faced with numerous challenges. Wang Yi said that China will unwaveringly stand on the side of the correct course of history, on the side of civilization and the progress of mankind.

Noting that China will strive for its own development, the minister stressed that this will be done while firmly ensuring world peace and development. He also expressed China’s willingness to more effectively promote world peace and development based on its own development.

Wang Yi stressed the importance of resolving differences and tensions with neighboring countries through dialogue and consultation, and jointly responding to various risks and challenges. He stressed that Asia is a common home and neighbors must work together to create a prosperous future.

Conflict in Ukraine

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed that China takes an objective and impartial position on the Ukrainian issue and supports efforts for reconciliation and peace negotiations.

Wang Yi held personal meetings with the leaders of interested states, including Russia and Ukraine. China published a document outlining its position on a political solution to the Ukrainian crisis and sent a special envoy for diplomatic efforts.

“All our efforts are aimed at creating the preconditions for a ceasefire and the start of peace negotiations,” Wang Yi emphasized.

During his participation in the Munich Security Conference, he noted that there is growing concern about the possible consequences of the Ukrainian crisis, which could lead to losses for many parties.

China is ready to create conditions for finding reliable ways to resolve the conflict. Wang Yi warned against prolonging the conflict, calling for peace talks.

The minister emphasized that any conflict is resolved at the negotiating table, observing the principles of the UN Charter and taking into account the legitimate concerns of the parties.

He expressed support for the "four necessities" put forward by Xi Jinping: respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, adherence to UN principles, respect for security and support for peace efforts.

China supports the holding of an international peace conference and hopes for the early restoration of peace in Europe, reaffirming its willingness to continue to play a constructive role in the crisis resolution process.

International peace

In the face of global changes and instability, China continues to play a constructive role in maintaining international peace, stability and progress, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

He noted that modern world architecture is facing profound changes, presenting many challenges to humanity.

Wang Yi emphasized that China will firmly stand on the side of correct history, civilization and human progress. He stressed that the country will strive for its own development while moving forward while ensuring peace and development throughout the world.

At the same time, China intends to more effectively promote peace and development based on its unique development path.

The Minister stressed the importance of strengthening the role of the United Nations (UN), expressing opposition to any attempts to limit its powers.

Relations with Russia

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi noted that China-Russia relations of comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation under the strategic leadership of President Xi Jinping and President Vladimir Putin continue to develop at a high level.

According to Wang Yi, political mutual trust continues to deepen and the advantages of China and Russia complement each other within the framework of mutually beneficial cooperation.

In 2023, China-Russia foreign trade turnover reached a record US$240 billion, exceeding the target of US$200 billion. Wang Yi emphasized the successful cooperation in the supply of Russian blue fuel to China and the movement of Chinese cars on the streets of Russia, highlighting the strength and prospects of mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.

The minister emphasized that the strategic choice to maintain and develop relations with Russia was made taking into account the fundamental interests of the people of both countries. Wang Yi noted that China and Russia, as permanent members of the UN Security Council, have created a new pattern of relations between major states, aimed at deep strategic cooperation.

Wang Yi emphasized the importance of Chinese-Russian relations in the context of world politics, noting that they correspond to the multipolarity of the world and the democratization of international relations. China is willing to continue to maintain global strategic stability and effective cooperation among major countries.

2022 marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia, and in this context, the China-Russia Year of Culture is being celebrated. Wang Yi expressed China’s readiness to continue strengthening friendship between peoples and cultivating new forms of cooperation. In addition, China and Russia will continue to make joint efforts within the framework of BRICS and the SCO to maintain international stability and develop cooperation among rising powers.

South China Sea

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed that China intends to adequately respond to any malicious attacks on its rights and unfounded provocations in the South China Sea (SCS).

He noted that the Chinese people have traditionally lived and worked in the region, and the islands and archipelagos in the SCS have been under the jurisdiction of the Chinese government for many generations.

Currently, the SCS is one of the busiest, safest and freest shipping routes in the world, and peace and tranquility in the region can only be maintained through the joint efforts of China and the countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Wang Yi emphasized that two principles are important to achieve this goal: resolving disputes through dialogue with the direct participation of interested parties and ensuring peace in the South China Sea exclusively through China and ASEAN countries. These principles are the basis of the Declaration of Action of the Parties in the South China Sea, signed in 2002.

The Minister emphasized the need to continue the implementation of the Declaration and accelerated negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. He expressed China’s willingness to work diligently with ASEAN countries to finalize and adopt the Code with the aim of transforming the SCS into a region of peace and cooperation.

Wang Yi stressed that those who try to disrupt peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula will bear a heavy price. Attempts to restore Cold War bloc thinking under the pretext of the Korean Peninsula problem bear historical responsibility, and the problem on the Peninsula requires a peaceful solution freed from Cold War stereotypes.

Connections with Europe and the USA

Wang Yi expressed hope that there will be no obstacles in China-Europe relations and that there will be opportunities for further cooperation. He noted that despite the fact that China is seen as a partner, rival and systemic adversary of Europe, these labels do not correspond to reality and have no basis.

Regarding the United States, Wang Yi emphasized the importance of an objective and reasonable approach to China’s development, calling for business contacts to respect this word. He stressed that peaceful coexistence represents a red line, as the potential consequences of a conflict between giants such as China and the United States could be catastrophic.

Artificial intelligence

China advocates emphasizing both the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and ensuring security in the global governance of this technology, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

“It is important to boldly develop unique capabilities in the era of AI, while at the same time not forgetting to take security measures,” said Wang Yi.