China’s foreign policy to promote benevolent power while standing firm, Wang Yi says
- The country seeks a dual-track approach, Chinese foreign minister says during session on President Xi Jinping’s directives
- Covid-19 and geopolitical conflicts show that traditional theory of international relations ‘no longer suitable’, according to Wang
Wang made the comments on Sunday during a session to deliberate on foreign policy guidance Xi has issued over the years.
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“Whether it is the global epidemic or the escalation of geopolitical conflicts, it is clear to the world that the traditional theory of international relations is no longer suitable for the common pursuit of development and progress of people of all countries,” Wang was quoted as saying by the foreign ministry.
“It is also difficult to cope with the emerging problems and challenges.”
Wang said China had portrayed itself as a power that sought to cooperate with other nations, but it would be firm to hit back if its sovereignty were infringed.
China has called for “inclusive rather than exclusive” international relations that stress a “win-win situation rather than monopoly, cooperation rather than confrontation and stability rather than conflict”, Wang said.
Wang said China would be firm in defending its national sovereignty, security and development interests, and the nation had the “courage to fight a great struggle”.
China and the US are confronting each other on almost all fronts. China has repeatedly warned Washington it will face a strong reaction if US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visits Taiwan. Beijing regards the self-ruled island as a breakaway province to be taken back, by force if necessary.
The Covid-19 pandemic, which was first reported in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, has soured China’s relations with the West further, with Beijing hitting back against suggestions that the virus originated in the country.
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Wang said there were many “black swan” and “grey rhino” events facing China and that he expected more challenges ahead.
“The country’s development is still in a period of important strategic opportunities, and there is new development to the challenges and opportunities facing the nation,” he said.
Wang reiterated that Beijing was not seeking hegemony but building a new type of international relations that stressed mutual respect, fairness and justice. He said the model of international relations China has advanced had transcended the historical limitations of “universal values” stressed by the West.
Wang said China would continue to promote the Belt and Road Initiative, its global trade and infrastructure strategy, and did not seek a “zero-sum” game in international relations.