He swept through the main international topics and Chinese diplomacy, the two intersecting.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held his traditional press conference this Thursday in front of local and international media.
Before going into details, he stated a general position on the role that China wishes to play in the world.
“In the face of an unstable and complex international environment, China will resolutely be a force for peace, stability and progress in the world,” he said.
In a more firm and therefore less consensual manner, he added that “we resolutely oppose all hegemony and intimidation and forcefully defend the sovereignty, security and development interests of the country”.
Gaza: “A human tragedy, a shame for civilization”.
China has regularly called for a ceasefire in Gaza since Israel entered the war in October against Hamas in this Palestinian territory.
“The fact that today, in the 21st century, this humanitarian catastrophe cannot be stopped is a human tragedy, even more, it is a shame for civilization,” says Wang Yi.
“The international community must act urgently, making an immediate ceasefire and cessation of hostilities a top priority.
No reason can justify the continuation of the conflict.
» He also said he was in favor of “full” membership of a Palestinian state in the United Nations.
Ukraine: avoid “a more serious crisis”.
China is criticized by several Western countries on the Ukrainian issue because it has never publicly condemned Russia for its invasion.
Beijing, the capital, seeks to position itself as a mediator and neutral party in the war, but its relationship with Moscow, the Russian capital, has deepened since the start of the conflict.
Wang Yi defended a “fair and objective” position and once again called for peace talks, otherwise “misunderstandings and errors of judgment will accumulate” with the risk of a “more serious crisis”.
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The United States “blames China under any pretext.”
The Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs was very combative in the face of American power.
Wang Yi castigated the United States and its “willingness to blame China under any pretext,” which “has reached an unimaginable level.”
“The means of pressure on China are constantly renewed and the list of unilateral sanctions constantly lengthened.
»
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Sino-American tensions are high on several issues: Taiwan, trade, rivalry in new technologies, the struggle for influence in the Asia-Pacific and even human rights.
“We resolutely oppose any hegemony and intimidation.
»
European Union: “Common interests far outweigh their differences”.
The tone of the head of Chinese diplomacy was more conciliatory towards the European Union (EU), which considers China as a partner, but also as a competitor and a systemic rival.
“This triple positioning is neither consistent with reality nor viable in practice,” considers Wang Yi.
“It’s like a car is at an intersection and the red, amber and green lights are all on.
Which direction to drive?
» he asked.
“There is no fundamental conflict of interest between China and Europe,” underlines Wang Yi, for whom “the common interests of the two parties far outweigh their differences”.
Relations between Beijing and Brussels, the two capitals, have become strained with the opening in 2023 by the EU of an investigation into Chinese subsidies for electric cars.
Taiwan “will never be allowed to secede from the motherland.”
Wang Yi reiterated his opposition to any independence for Taiwan, an island territory supported militarily by the United States and over which Beijing claims sovereignty.
The island's leaders seeking independence will be held accountable to history, he warned.
“Anyone who attempts to achieve independence will inevitably be liquidated by history.”
Taiwan “will never be allowed to secede from the motherland.”
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South China Sea: “Legitimate rights but great restraint”.
“We will defend our legitimate rights,” warns the diplomat, after a series of incidents with the Philippines in this vast maritime area where several countries have claims.
This week, a new skirmish between Chinese and Philippine coast guards led to collisions with their boats.
Beijing judges that Manila, the Philippine capital, deliberately wanted to provoke an incident;
the Philippines makes similar accusations against China.
“On maritime disputes, China has always shown great restraint.
But, of course, we do not allow our goodwill to be abused and we do not accept the distortion or deliberate violation of the laws of the sea,” Wang Yi assured.
While Washington, the American capital, regularly supports Manila, Wang Yi urges “certain countries outside the region not to cause trouble, not to take sides” and not to be “troublemakers” in this maritime zone .
China claims almost all of the islands in the South China Sea.
But other neighboring countries such as Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei have competing claims and control several islets.