China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi calls for cooperation amid growing world tensions
- Wide-ranging press conference covers relations with US as well as India-Pakistan relations, North Korea and other hot-button issues
- Progress promised on South China Sea code of conduct
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi fielded nearly 20 questions on a wide range of topics during his annual press conference on the sidelines of the National People’s Congress on Friday, including China’s relations with major powers and neighbouring countries, and diplomacy in a rapidly changing world order filled with growing tensions and uncertainties.
In the two-hour briefing, Wang tried to put a positive spin on China’s deteriorating ties with the United States amid the protracted trade war and the escalating tussle over Chinese tech giant Huawei.
He hailed China’s relations with Russia, Japan, India, North Korea and Southeast Asian nations.
Wang also sought to play down growing international concerns over China’s “Belt and Road Initiative”, Beijing’s expanding footprint in Africa, the Middle East and Latin America, as well as the increasingly assertive posture of Chinese diplomats around the world.
He also touched on last month’s failed US-North Korea summit, flaring tensions between India and Pakistan, the ongoing talks with neighbouring countries over the South China Sea dispute, and the deteriorating situation in Venezuela.