Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi
(Beijing, January 31, 2024)
Distinguished Envoys, Delegates and Madams,
Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,
It is a great pleasure to gather with all new and old friends to welcome the New Year and share friendship. On behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all the envoys and delegates attending today's reception, and express my heartfelt thanks to friends from all walks of life who have supported China's diplomacy for a long time.
In 2023, the world has experienced the baptism of turbulent changes, and it is also pregnant with the driving force of development and progress. We have overcome the barriers of the epidemic and cherished the preciousness of exchanges even more. As we experience crises and wars, we are more determined in our pursuit of peace. Over the past year, the "new Cold War" has been widely opposed by all countries, and "decoupling and breaking the chain" has proved to be "no way out". More and more countries and people are realizing that mankind shares weal and woe, the world is interdependent, and the future of the global village is in our own hands.
In 2023, the Chinese people and the people of the world will shine a light on each other and move forward side by side. We have achieved a smooth transition in epidemic prevention and control, promoted economic recovery, made solid progress in high-quality development, accelerated the formation of new quality productivity, and broadened the path of Chinese-style modernization. China is not only developing itself, but also actively embracing the world, we open the door to share development opportunities, welcome global friends with open arms, and continue to inject valuable stability and positive energy into the world.
Over the past year, China's diplomacy has risen to the challenge, taken on the responsibility, pushed the great cause of building a community with a shared future for mankind to a new height, and made new contributions to safeguarding world peace and promoting common development.
We adhere to dialogue and cooperation, and be the mainstay of benign interaction between major countries. The China-US summit opened up the "San Francisco Vision", and the relations between the two countries stopped falling and stabilized, which is in line with the world's general expectations. China-Russia relations have endured for a long time, creating a model of a new type of major-country relations, which is conducive to global strategic stability. China and the EU will deepen dialogue and cooperation, promote green development, and jointly uphold multilateralism. The more chaotic the international situation becomes, the more responsible it is for major countries to act in the same direction, and the more they should show their due responsibility.
We practice amity, sincerity and inclusiveness, and be a reliable partner in building a home in Asia. China-Central Asia held its first summit and promoted the upgrading of relations, China-ASEAN cooperation has made steady progress, the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation has been changing with each passing day, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has continued to grow and develop. China and Japan have reaffirmed their comprehensive strategic and mutually beneficial relationship, and China-Australia relations have returned to the track of sound and stable development. An Asia, united, inclusive, friendly and symbiotic, will continue to serve as an anchor of peace and stability in the world, a source of growth and a new highland for cooperation.
We are committed to working together as a committed member of the Global South. We will promote the historic expansion of the BRICS mechanism, support the African Union's accession to the G20, and effectively enhance the representation and voice of developing countries. China has actively implemented the Global Development Initiative (GDI), put forward three major measures to boost Africa's development, deepened mutually beneficial cooperation between China-Arab countries, China and Latin America and the Caribbean, and China as a Pacific island country, and supported developing countries in accelerating their modernization. Hello is really good, and whether it is global governance or development and prosperity, the "Global South" cannot be absent.
We persist in promoting peace talks and be a key force in safeguarding world peace. China has actively facilitated the resumption of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran, and is pleased to see a "wave of reconciliation" in the Middle East, and the fate of the Middle East has returned to the hands of the people of all countries in the region. China has released the concept paper on the Global Security Initiative, actively campaigned for peace talks on ending the war in Ukraine, made unremitting efforts to de-escalate the ceasefire in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and resolve the Palestinian issue in a comprehensive, just and lasting manner, and played a constructive role on hotspot issues such as Afghanistan and Myanmar. The hope of peace deserves to be cherished, and the flame of peace needs to be nurtured by us together.
We are committed to open development and become a powerful engine for global recovery. The 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation was successfully held, and more than 150 countries and more than 40 international organizations jointly opened a new golden decade of the Belt and Road Initiative. The CIIE, the CIFTIS, the Consumer Expo, and the Chain Expo have been held one after another, and "the next China is still China" has become a firm consensus of the global business community. China's economy grew by 5.2 percent last year, contributing more than 30 percent to world economic growth for more than 10 consecutive years. Recently, China has launched a series of major measures that are conducive to expanding high-level opening-up and promoting high-quality development, and continues to simplify visa procedures for China and implement unilateral visa exemption for many countries, which will surely bring greater benefits to investors and partners from all countries. Facts have proved that only openness can bring progress, and only cooperation can make the cake bigger.
Over the past year, in order to promote friendly cooperation between China and foreign countries, the envoys and representatives have worked tirelessly to match people, traveled all over the land of China, went deep into the enterprise and people, and some walked into the live broadcast room, becoming the cultural communicators and spokespersons of special products loved by netizens. I believe that everyone has also felt the sincere friendship and enthusiasm of the Chinese people, and experienced the vigorous vitality and thousands of weather in China in the new era.
The year 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and a crucial year for comprehensively advancing Chinese-style modernization. Not long ago, the Central Foreign Affairs Work Conference was held in Beijing, which clearly defined the building of a community with a shared future for mankind as the lofty goal pursued by major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in the new era. China is ready to work with other countries to build a better future for the world with the future of mankind and the well-being of the people in mind.
China is ready to work with other countries to build the foundation for peace and security. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, and we will review this important basic norm of international relations with all parties, abide by the purposes of the UN Charter, unswervingly follow the path of peaceful development, uphold international fairness and justice, oppose all hegemonism and power politics, and resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity. We will continue to promote the implementation of the Global Security Initiative and make more contributions to the political settlement of hotspot issues.
China is willing to work with other countries to pool the strength of friendship and cooperation. We will take the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia as an opportunity to further consolidate the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination between the two countries in the new era. Adhere to the positioning of the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership and promote the steady and long-term development of China-EU relations. We will deepen friendship, mutual trust and integration of interests with neighboring countries, and work together with developing countries for development and revitalization. Actively implement the Global Civilization Initiative and promote mutual understanding and mutual understanding among people of all countries. We will also eliminate interference, maintain our determination, implement the consensus reached at the China-US summit, strive for the healthy, stable and sustainable development of China-US relations, and explore the right way for the two countries to get along.
China is ready to work with other countries on the road of multilateralism. We should advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and promote the process of democratization of international relations. We will uphold extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, build a fair and reasonable global governance system, and support the UN Future Summit in reaching a "future contract" that conforms to the trend of the times. We will build the expanded "BRICS Cooperation", support Brazil and Peru in hosting multilateral meetings such as the G20 Summit and APEC, and sing the voice of the "Global South" to create more public goods.
China is ready to work with other countries to build a future of development and prosperity. We will fully implement the eight high-quality Belt and Road Initiatives, so that this "development belt" and "happiness road" will benefit more countries. Promote the implementation of the Global Development Initiative and foster new drivers of global development. We will promote inclusive economic globalization, oppose protectionism, resist anti-globalization and pan-security, ensure the stability and smoothness of global industrial and supply chains, provide more convenience for people-to-people exchanges between China and foreign countries, and enhance the vitality and impetus for the healthy development of the world economy.
Dear friends,
In a few days, we will usher in the Year of the Dragon, a symbol of auspiciousness, wisdom and strength in traditional Chinese culture. In the new year, let us join hands and make greater contributions to Sino-foreign friendship and cooperation and world peace and prosperity with the spirit of vitality and the momentum of the dragon and the tiger!
Source@Ministry of Foreign Affairs