Wang Yi receives editorial interview with Qatar's Al Jazeera Media Network
A member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, recently received an editorial interview with Qatar's Al Jazeera Media Network.
1. Minister Wang, you devoted an important part of the recent press conference on the sidelines of the NPC meetings to talk about the war in Gaza, what steps can China take to press for an immediate ceasefire?
A: The continuation of the conflict in Gaza has resulted in a humanitarian catastrophe that must not happen, and has crossed the red line of modern civilization. For nearly half a year, the conflict has killed and injured more than a hundred thousand people and displaced more than a million, and the international community must act urgently.
Pushing for a ceasefire and preventing fighting as soon as possible is the top priority at the moment. Prolonging the war means a growing challenge to the conscience of humanity and a constant undermining of the foundation of justice. Thanks to the joint efforts of all parties, the UN Security Council recently adopted the first resolution calling for a ceasefire since the outbreak of the conflict in Gaza, which is binding and must be effectively implemented, with the aim of achieving an immediate, lasting and unconditional ceasefire.
Secondly, it is essential to ensure sustained and unhindered humanitarian access, because it is a moral responsibility that bears no delay. Since the beginning of the conflict, the Chinese side has categorically rejected the forced displacement of Palestinian civilians and collective punishment of the people of Gaza, actively supported the establishment of the humanitarian relief mechanism as soon as possible, and continuously provided humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip. Going forward, the Chinese side will continue to work with the international community to mobilize all efforts in implementing the resolution on ceasefire and protection of civilians, and ensure rapid, safe, sustainable and unhindered access for humanitarian relief to the people of Gaza.
Thirdly, it is necessary to prevent the negative repercussions of the conflict from continuing to spill, which is a realistic need to prevent the situation in the region from spiraling out of control. The recent escalation of the conflict between Iran and Israel is the latest manifestation of the spillover from the Gaza conflict. The Chinese side calls on the parties concerned to maintain calm and restraint, so as to avoid further escalation of the tense situation. The Chinese side will continue to make unremitting efforts to promote peace and stability in the Middle East and contribute its energy to calming the situation, based on the merits and nature of the situation.
Fourthly, it is necessary to correct the historical injustice suffered by the Palestinian people early on, as a radical solution to the conflict in Gaza. This ordeal in Gaza has once again demonstrated that the long-standing inability of the Palestinian people to obtain their legitimate national rights is the source of the Palestinian cause and the core of the Middle East question. Only through the restoration of justice for the Palestinian people, the implementation of the "two-state solution" and the political settlement of the legitimate security concerns of all parties can be achieved once and for all, the final exit from the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the removal of the soil that feeds extremist ideas and hatred, and the establishment of lasting peace in the region.
China is willing to continue to work with the international community, including Middle Eastern countries, to strengthen solidarity and cooperation, unwavering support for the just cause of the Palestinian people to restore their legitimate national rights, unwavering support for promoting reconciliation among Palestinian factions through dialogue, unwavering support for Palestine in obtaining full membership in the United Nations, and unwavering support for the Palestinian people to achieve their independent state and "rule of Palestine by the Palestinians." We call for the speedy convening of an international peace conference with wider participation, more credibility and greater effectiveness, and the establishment of a timetable and roadmap for the implementation of the "two-state solution", which will advance the early finding of a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the Palestinian question and achieve peaceful coexistence between the two states of Palestine and Israel and ultimately harmonious coexistence between the Arab and Jewish nations. 2. How do you view the escalation in the Red Sea, especially since the Chinese Ministry of Defense announced the dispatch of ships escorting commercial ships accompanied by more than two hundred officers, soldiers and units of special forces?
A: The waters of the Red Sea are an important international corridor for the transport of goods and energy, the maintenance of peace, security and safety in the Red Sea contributes to maintaining the flow of global industrial and supply chains and the international trade system, and is consistent with the common interests of the countries of the region and the international community. The Chinese side expressed its deep concern over the continuous escalation of the tense situation in the Red Sea for some time, and the resulting negative repercussions on the interests of the countries of the region, especially the countries bordering the Red Sea, and the increase in security risks in the entire region, and the negative effects on the recovery of the global economy.
The Chinese side adopts a very clear position on the situation in the Red Sea, which can be summarized in the following four points:
First, operations targeting civilian vessels crossing the Red Sea must cease, and there is no argument to justify targeting civilians;
Second, the international community must jointly maintain the safety of navigation in the waters of the Red Sea in accordance with the law, and all parties must play a constructive role in de-escalating tension in the Red Sea;
Thirdly, the root cause of the escalation of the situation in the Red Sea lies in the Gaza conflict, as it is necessary to achieve a ceasefire and prevent fighting in Gaza as soon as possible, limiting the spillover of the repercussions of the conflict from its roots;
Fourth, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Red Sea rim states, including Yemen, must be seriously preserved.
Since the escalation of the situation in the Red Sea, the Chinese side has remained in contact with all parties and has made strenuous efforts to de-escalate tensions. The Chinese side pays attention to the legitimate demands of the countries in the region, especially the countries bordering the Red Sea, is keen to strengthen coordination with the countries of the region, and works together with the international community to continue to play a constructive role in restoring peace, security and safety in the Red Sea at an early date.
It should be clarified that escort operations carried out by the Chinese naval fleet have nothing to do with the current situation in the Red Sea. This came as part of an escort mission in the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia mandated by the UN Security Council. Since 2008, the Chinese Navy has sent 45 batches of naval fleets in succession consisting of more than 150 ships, and has excellently completed the tasks of pirate expulsion and humanitarian relief, making a positive contribution to maintaining the safety of navigation in the waters concerned. The Chinese side will continue to implement the Global Security Initiative, maintain the integrity of the international sea lane, and make tireless efforts to build a community with a shared future for mankind with concrete steps. 3. You have repeatedly called for an international peace summit to resolve the Ukrainian crisis through negotiations, to what extent can China play a mediating role in these negotiations as Russia's number one strategic partner? And what pressure can Beijing exert on Moscow to stop the war?
A: China's position on the Ukraine crisis is permanent, clear and transparent. China is not the stake in the conflict, nor is it the maker of the crisis, but it has not watched from a distance. The Chinese side has been seeking a ceasefire and an end to the fighting for more than two years since the all-out escalation of the crisis. President Xi Jinping held in-depth personal contact with the leaders of countries including Russia and Ukraine, stressing that peace negotiations are the only way out, and hoping that all parties will work together to create favorable conditions for resolving the crisis politically through dialogue. The Chinese side also issued the position paper in particular, and the special representative sent to the relevant countries more than once to carry out shuttle mediation, convey messages and clarify positions, so as to push all parties to find common denominators, leave differences aside and crystallize consensus.
For now, there are still risks of escalation and escalation of this crisis, so the international community should strengthen solidarity, mobilize efforts to achieve peace and take concrete actions to de-escalate the conflict.
We must always stick to a political solution. Conflict or war, whatever it may be, does not end on the battlefield, but at the negotiating table. The Chinese side supports the timely convening of an international peace conference acceptable to the Russian and Ukrainian sides with equal participation by all parties and in which all peace plans are discussed equitably, so as to achieve a ceasefire as soon as possible.
We must always uphold an objective and just position. There is no magic wand to resolve the crisis, all parties should start on their own, creating the conditions for ending the fighting and launching peace negotiations through the accumulation of mutual trust. Hunting in troubled water or pouring oil on fire must be categorically rejected, not to mention taking sides and provoking confrontation between camps.
We must always stick to addressing the crisis from its symptoms and causes at the same time. Resolving the crisis at its roots requires deeper reflection on the security issue. Insisting on pursuing unilateral and absolute security and arbitrarily narrowing the security space of other States will inevitably lead to disruption and conflict in the region.
The Chinese side is willing to work with the international community to uphold the vision that the security of countries is indivisible, uphold the concept of common, integrated, cooperative and sustainable security, observe the reasonable security concerns of all parties, support the establishment of a balanced, effective and sustainable regional security equation, play a constructive role to jointly find a political solution to the crisis, and make more contributions to maintaining lasting security and safety in the region and achieving lasting peace in the world. 4. Regarding the Taiwan issue, we followed up on statements about whether the Chinese government will launch military operations in the Taiwan region of China. How do you assess the situation across the Taiwan Strait in light of the rapprochement between China's Taiwan region and the United States and the continuation of U.S. arms sales to China's Taiwan region?
A: Taiwan has been an integral part of China since ancient times. The "Cairo Declaration" issued by the governments of China, the United States, and the United Kingdom in 1943 clearly states that Taiwan stolen by Japan will be returned to China. Article 8 of the 1945 Potsdam Declaration aimed at ending World War II states that "the provisions of the Cairo Declaration must be implemented." UN Resolution 2758 clearly reaffirmed the one-China principle. These legally binding international instruments formed part of the post-war international order and established the historical and legal basis for Taiwan being an integral part of China's territory. Therefore, the question of Taiwan is purely China's internal affairs, and the ways of reunifying the motherland are the business of the Chinese on both sides of the strait themselves. We will seek peaceful reunification with the utmost effort and the most sincere intention. At the same time, our red line is also very clear: no one is allowed to separate Taiwan from China in any way.
The current situation in the Taiwan Strait is generally stable, but it also faces serious challenges. The biggest challenge comes from the secessionist activities of the "Taiwan independence" forces and acts of disruption and sabotage by outside forces. The forces of "Taiwan independence" are the troublemakers and the biggest saboteur of stability in the Taiwan Strait. "Taiwan independence" must be firmly rejected in order to maintain peace in the Taiwan Strait. Some countries make calls for maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, but they secretly accelerate the supply of weapons and equipment to "Taiwan independence" separatists, only increasing the risk of conflict and confrontation, and posing a serious threat to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the region. In the face of confusion and sabotage by outside powers, China will not stand idly by and condone it. No one can underestimate the firm determination, unwavering will and mighty ability of the Chinese people to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the homeland.
President Xi Jinping stressed that the complete reunification of the motherland meets the aspirations of the people, is in line with the trend of the times, and represents the inevitability of history, and no force can hinder it. China will inevitably achieve complete reunification, and Taiwan will inevitably return to the motherland. We are also convinced that the international community, including the countries of the Middle East, will continue to adhere to the one-China principle and support the just cause of the Chinese people to oppose separatist activities calling for "Taiwan independence" and work for the realisation of national reunification. 5. Concluding with the US elections and the relationship with the United States, how does China follow the presidential elections in the United States and how does Beijing foresee a future for China-US relations?
A: China-U.S. relations concern the well-being of the two peoples and the future of mankind and the world. Last November, President Xi Jinping held a successful meeting with his US counterpart Joe Biden in San Francisco at the latter's invitation, where the two presidents came up with a future-oriented "San Francisco skyline." The Chinese side's position on improving China-U.S. relations is sincere, and predictable, sustainable, sound and stable relations between China and the United States are a blessing for the two peoples and the people of the world.
At the same time, we have seen that the wrong understanding of the U.S. side toward China persists, and its wrong policy of containing China continues. Recently, the U.S. side has continued to co-opt its so-called allies to constantly inflame the situation in the regional seas, accelerate the formation of China's containment system, tighten unilateral sanctions and impose a technological blockade on China. The American side should not always look at this world from the perspective of the Cold War or with a zero-sum game mentality, and always say one thing and do another. The eyes of the people of the nations of the world are piercing, and the people of the Middle East are more aware of who stands on the right side of history and justice. What China brings to this world is cooperation, development, stability and win-win. No force can hinder China's development and renaissance because of its huge internal dynamic and inevitable historical logic.
The U.S. presidential election is a matter of America's internal affairs. The Chinese side has not and will not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, as interference in the internal affairs of others is not the Chinese side's style. The Chinese and American people should continue to communicate and cooperate, and China and the United States, as big countries, must find the right way to deal with each other, regardless of who wins the presidential election. President Xi Jinping's three principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, cooperation and win-win are the basic reference on which we look at and deal with China-U.S. relations. In the recent phone call between President Xi Jinping and President Joe Biden at the latter's request, President Xi Jinping reiterated that major countries such as China and the United States should not be cut off from communication and dealings, let alone conflict and confrontation, should pay attention to harmony, prioritize stability and maintain credibility as the basis.
Sino-American relations will not return to what they were, but they must, and certainly can, evolve toward a more beautiful future. The Chinese side is willing to work with the U.S. side for win-win cooperation, achievements in the interest of the world, and effectively shoulder each other's required international responsibility.