As of: March 8, 2024, 8:27 a.m
By: Christiane Kühl
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Foreign Minister Wang Yi praises China as a force for peace and the “new foundations” of relations with Russia.
At his press conference he focused on more power for developing countries.
The traditional press conference by the Prime Minister at the National People's Congress will no longer take place in China.
The only unfiltered access to the government's view of the world is now ministerial press meetings.
On Wednesday, Trade Minister Wang Wentao answered questions from reporters, and on Thursday it was Foreign Minister Wang Yi's turn.
Right from the start, he made it clear how he perceives the role of the People's Republic: China is determined to be a peaceful force in the world in the midst of uncertainties, emphasized Wang at the start.
China has just mediated a peace agreement in northern Myanmar, said Wang.
Rebel groups are fighting there against the military government.
The biggest coup for China so far is a reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran in 2023, which Wang Yi himself brokered.
This is part of Beijing's efforts to unite the global south and resolve conflicts through political means, the minister emphasized.
Wang's press conference shows China's growing focus on the global south
In response to the relevant questions, Wang reiterated familiar positions: such as the usual lack of compromise towards Taiwan and the demand for a two-state solution in the Gaza war.
However, Wang specifically focused on the global south.
This started with the selection of international questioners, which is always planned in advance and follows a political logic.
Overall, many of the 21 questions Wang answered related to China's relations with developing countries - of which Beijing sees itself as the natural advocate and leader.
The Foreign Minister emphasized that the global South is no longer just the “silent majority”, but rather the key to international power.
A power with whose help China wants to change the world order, which is currently dominated by the West, in its own way.
Among other things, Wang called for the United Nations to be strengthened and reformed to “strengthen the representation and voice of developing countries.”
Strikingly, he did not mention the UN Security Council reform demanded by many developing countries.
Beijing views this critically because as a veto power, China would be more likely to lose out if the veto right was abolished or extended to additional states.
China only negotiates with other major powers
Wang's statements also showed once again how China sees the world primarily from the perspective of a great power that negotiates the world order with other great powers on an equal footing.
From Beijing's perspective, these major powers include China itself, the USA and Russia.
Wang emphasized that the relationship with Moscow shows “a new paradigm of great power cooperation that is completely different from the Cold War era.”
Russia and China must strengthen their coordination at the multilateral level to ensure regional and global stability.
The most populous country, India, on the other hand, does not yet see Beijing as an equal.
The EU would be considered a great power for China if it spoke with one voice and positioned itself strategically more independently of the USA, as Beijing's foreign policy experts repeatedly emphasize.
Although China sees better opportunities for cooperation with Europe than with the USA, it still sees Brussels as too dependent on Washington.
Wang continues to promote cooperation with Europe
Wang now stressed that cooperation should be a "defining feature" of Sino-European relations.
“China and Europe should both be champions of multilateralism.
As long as China and Europe have mutually beneficial cooperation, there will be no bloc confrontation.” Beijing has long criticized European efforts to “de-risk” China and naturally opposes trade restrictions on Chinese products.
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As a goodwill gesture, Wang announced that visa-free travel to China for up to 15 days would be extended to six more European countries later this month;
German citizens, among others, can already enter the country without a visa.
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks at his press conference on the sidelines of the National People's Congress in Beijing.
© Wang Zhao/AFP
Wang repeats familiar positions
The relationship with Washington is central to Beijing's foreign policy.
U.S.-China relations have "improved somewhat" since the two presidents met last year, Wang said.
However, misconceptions about China persist in Washington.
Conversely, Wang predictably praised the "new foundations" on which Russia and China have placed their relations - as well as the flourishing trade: "Russian natural gas has arrived in thousands of households in China, and Chinese cars are driving on the roads of Russia," Wang said.
Despite Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, Beijing remains stoically loyal to the Kremlin, even if it officially describes itself as neutral.
China supports summits at the “right time” in the Ukraine war when all parties participate equally, Wang said.
However, China's mediation efforts find little response in the West due to its lack of neutrality.
Nevertheless, Ukraine's special envoy Li Hui is currently traveling to Europe for the second time and was expected in Kiev this Thursday.