Daily Times

China’s ongoing Two Sessions, known as intellectual and actionable framework on politics, economic and governance, has laid down set of priorities on international relations offering the world to deepen its insights about China foreign affairs vison based on international rules, co-existence, peace, harmony and win-win situation to all without any prejudice.

In the history of five decades, brainy Two Sessions remain a beacon of light and base the form of resilience of China’s foreign policy allowing it to stands composed and persistent at all costs. Despite venomous hostility orchestrated by some international forces, China foreign policy holds restraints and never pursues retaliatory strategy. Instead of giving blow to blow, China international ties have laid down the foundation of lasting peace, friendliness and multilateral cohesion centred on respect to each country’s sovereignty, governance system, economic models and social practices.

For regional and global perspective to make the international community understand the baseline of China’s foreign affairs, State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a press conference during the fourth session of the 13th National People’s Congress, China’s top legislature.

He unwrapped the biggest highlight in China’s foreign relations characterizing it as “head-of-State diplomacy”. Through innovative “cloud diplomacy”, President Xi Jinping has championed solidarity in the world’s fight against COVID-19, and pointed the way forward for the international community to jointly fight the virus, Wang said. In the past year, China has been firm to safeguard national interests and resolutely opposes hegemony and bullying practices, as well as external interference in domestic affairs, he added.

China opposes “vaccine nationalism,” rejects any “vaccine divide” or any attempt to politicize vaccine cooperation, Wang said. More than 60 countries have authorized the use of Chinese vaccines

Shedding light about CPC role in foreign policy, he said that facts have proved that the leadership of the Communist Party of China is the biggest political advantage of Chinese diplomacy and that leadership will offer fundamental support for China’s diplomatic agenda to keep securing more victories, Wang said that China’s diplomacy is a people-oriented diplomacy led by the CPC, and the Party set the direction for China’s diplomatic agenda.

On Hong Kong matter, he spoke volume about patriots administering Hong Kong saying any country in the world will take allegiance to the motherland as a basic political ethic that must be observed by public officials or those who run for public posts, and so does Hong Kong. “Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China. One cannot talk about loving Hong Kong without loving its motherland, he said, adding that love for the country and for Hong Kong is completely consistent,” he added.

Hong Kong enjoyed no democracy during colonial rule. Since its return to the motherland 24 years ago, no one is more concerned about Hong Kong’s democratic development and wishes Hong Kong to remain prosperous and stable than the central government, he said

In terms of China-US relations Wang said it is normal for China and the US, two countries with different social systems, to have differences and disagreements. “What matters most is to manage them effectively through candid communication to prevent strategic miscalculation and avoid conflict and confrontation.” Wang said China hopes the US can remove its unreasonable restriction on bilateral cooperation as soon as possible, and refrain from artificially creating new ones. “We are willing to work with the US and set China-US relations on a new path of healthy and steady development,” he said.

On Taiwan issue, he said two sides of the Taiwan Strait must be and will surely be reunified, which is the trend of history and the collective will of the entire Chinese nation. He clarified that one-China principle is the political foundation of the China-US relationship, a red line that should not be crossed.

Stressing UN’s core status, he said that The UN is not a club for big or rich countries. All countries enjoy equal sovereignty and no country is in a position to dictate international affairs, Wang said.

Mr Wang Yi made it clear that the China-Europe relationship is equal and open, and not targeting any third party or controlled by anyone else. China never intends to divide relations between Europe and the United States, Wang said, adding that the country is glad to see the European Union uphold multilateralism and remain devoted to coordination and cooperation among major countries.

China opposes “vaccine nationalism,” rejects any “vaccine divide” or any attempt to politicize vaccine cooperation, Wang said. More than 60 countries have authorized the use of Chinese vaccines. China has provided and is providing COVID-19 vaccine aid free of charge to 69 developing countries in urgent need, while exporting vaccines to 43 countries.

Terming ‘Xinjiang genocide’ claim a thorough lie, he said that so-called claim of genocide in Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region is preposterous, which is a rumour fabricated with ulterior motives and a thorough lie. “Some western politicians chose to believe in the lies cooked up by a few instead of listening to the voice of 25 million Xinjiang residents of various ethnic groups, Wang said, adding that they chose to dance with the clumsy dramas by a few anti-China forces instead of acknowledging the progress in Xinjiang,” he added.

China’s commitment in supporting the Belt and Road Initiative has not changed, and the country will continue to work with stakeholders to advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, Wang Yi said. COVID-19 may have changed the world, but the need for Belt and Road cooperation has not subsided, he said.

“As we pursue a new development paradigm, we will explore better pathways for Belt and Road cooperation and offer greater opportunities to BRI partners,” he added

On climate change, he said that Even though China and the US and the European Union are in different stages of development and face different challenges, they share the same mission in coping with climate change.

Wang urged enhanced communication and coordination between the three sides and that they play a leading role in the international community, he said, adding that China welcomes the US’ return to the Paris Agreement and expects that the US will shoulder its responsibility and make its due contribution, he added.

The writer is a senior freelance journalist