The ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the growing influence of the global South, China's commitment to multilateralism and cooperation, and an „important year“ for relations with the United States were among the main topics of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's press conference. It was held in Beijing on the sidelines of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress.
Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, stressed that the diplomacy of heads of state forms the basis of China's approach to foreign relations. He said it is this approach that brings stability and certainty to a turbulent world.
The nature of the press conference can be illustrated by the most frequently used words during the 90-minute meeting with journalists. In addition to China and the world, the words development, cooperation, people, peace and stability dominated.
The conflict with Iran should not have happened
Continued attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel, Israeli operations in Lebanon and Iran's retaliatory strikes in the region have raised fears of a widening conflict and serious economic repercussions.
Wang Yi said the whole world is watching the situation closely. He stressed that China is taking an objective and impartial stance and is seeking a ceasefire and an end to the fighting.
In his view, the current war should not have happened at all, and it benefits no one. The history of the Middle East, he said, shows that war helps no one. The use of force is not the solution and armed conflicts only deepen hatred and create new crises.
The Minister called for steps to be taken to prevent the escalation and spread of the conflict, to respect state sovereignty and to find a political solution to regional problems. He also stressed that regional countries should decide their own future.
At the same time, he said Chinese diplomats are working hard to support and protect Chinese citizens in the region.
Responding to a question from CGTN journalist Tian Wei, he added that the only just and widely accepted solution to the Palestinian question is a two-state solution. At the same time, he warned that much work would still be needed to consolidate the ceasefire in Gaza.
„A beacon pointing the way for humanity“
One of the main messages of the press conference was China's commitment to building an equal and orderly world based on the vision of a community with a shared future for humanity.
Wang Yi described the concept as „a beacon that illuminates the way forward for humanity“. He said it can contribute to the creation of an open, inclusive, clean, peaceful and prosperous world. He added that its importance and value are gaining increasing international attention.
The minister reiterated China's peaceful development and assured that the country will never take the path of hegemony, even as it continues to grow stronger.
He also spoke about the shortcomings of global governance and the challenges to multilateralism. In this context, he stressed the importance of China's Global Governance Initiative (GGI), which, according to him, has received the support of more than 150 countries and international organisations.
According to Wang Yi, the core message of this initiative is the need to preserve the UN's leadership and strengthen its central role. He acknowledged that the organisation is not perfect, but without it the world would be even less stable. Creating parallel structures outside the UN or closed blocs would not be popular or sustainable, he said.
The initiative also calls on the UN to keep up with the times and adapt to the changing global power dynamics of the 21st century.
The Global South as an engine of multipolarity
Wang Yi also spoke about China's international cooperation, especially with countries in the global South, whose rise he described as a characteristic feature of a changing world.
According to him, the global South is a key force supporting the emergence of a multipolar world order and a positive factor on the international scene. While hegemony and the politics of force distort the international order, the countries of the global South should strengthen cooperation and coordination and jointly promote peace and development.
The Minister also stressed China's commitment to its neighbouring countries and support for building an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future. He called for promoting a new narrative based on peace, cooperation and friendship in the South China Sea region.
He also answered questions on relations with Europe, Africa, Latin America, India and Japan.
According to Wang Yi, relations with the European Union and European countries have strengthened over the past year, especially in the areas of trade and tourism, and a number of European officials have visited China.
He said China sees Europe as one of the poles of the multipolar world and an important partner for modernisation, but he also stressed the need for a realistic view of China. He added that there is a growing conviction among many sensible people, especially the young, that China is not a competitor but a partner.
Countries, he said, should leave the „small attic of protectionism“ and join the „fitness club of the Chinese market“ to strengthen their competitiveness.
Wang Yi also announced that China will fully implement zero tariffs on 100 percent of tariff items for African countries from May 1. He also stressed that the development path of Latin American and Caribbean countries should be determined by their own people.
The future of relations between China and Japan, he said, depends on Tokyo's decisions. At the same time, he stressed that the more the international community rejects „Taiwan independence“ and supports the one-China principle, the more certain is peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait region.
An important year for China-US relations
The relationship between China and the United States has been one of the main topics of international politics since Donald Trump's return to the White House in 2025. Wang Yi said that 2026 will be an „important year“ for bilateral relations.
According to him, China and the United States are big countries. Neither can transform the other, but they can change the way they communicate and cooperate.
The minister added that he was pleased that the presidents of both countries had provided important strategic assurances to the China-US relationship and helped put the relationship back on a more stable trajectory after a period of fluctuations.
According to him, the programme of high-level contacts is already in place. Both sides now need to create an appropriate environment, manage existing differences and remove unnecessary obstacles.
Wang Yi added that if the two countries treat each other sincerely and in good faith, they can expand the areas of cooperation, reduce the list of problems, achieve results acceptable to both nations, and build a consensus welcomed by the whole world.
Asked about a possible „G2“ mechanism, Wang Yi stressed that China is committed to promoting the emergence of an equal and orderly multipolar world.
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