Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, September 5-On September 4, Yang Jiechi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission, accepted a written interview with reporters from Xinhua News Agency at the end of his visit to Myanmar, Spain, and Greece.
The full text is as follows:
1. You have just concluded your visit to Myanmar, Spain, and Greece. How would you rate the results of this visit?
At present, the new crown pneumonia epidemic has promoted major changes that have not been seen in a century. The world economy is sluggish, protectionism and unilateralism are on the rise, the global governance system and multilateral mechanisms are under impact, and all countries are facing many common challenges.
I am visiting Myanmar, Spain, and Greece this time across the Eurasian continent.
Myanmar is an important country in ASEAN and an important close neighbor of China. Spain and Greece are important member states of the European Union and China's comprehensive strategic partners.
During this visit, the leaders of the three countries and I mainly exchanged views on issues such as implementing the results of President Xi Jinping’s visit to the three countries, strengthening bilateral and regional cooperation under the current situation, and jointly coping with global challenges.
It can be said that this is a journey to deepen mutual trust and expand cooperation, and many important consensuses have been reached.
The first is to consolidate political mutual trust.
China and Myanmar agreed to maintain close high-level communication, jointly implement the results of President Xi Jinping’s visit to Myanmar in January this year, and study and formulate an action plan for the two countries to build a community of shared future.
Spain thanks China for its support during the special phase of the epidemic prevention and control visit. China and Spain agreed to further strengthen political dialogue and policy coordination, and enhance the level of strategic cooperation.
Greece stated that it values China’s status as a major country, will continue to give priority to cooperation with China, and work with China to implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries.
The three countries have positively evaluated China's effectiveness in fighting the epidemic and the progress made in resuming work and production, emphasizing that China is a development opportunity, will firmly pursue an active policy toward China, and are willing to maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges through various means and continue to consolidate strategic mutual trust.
Spain and Greece expressed their willingness to work with China to prepare an important agenda for China-EU relations and inject greater impetus into the development of bilateral relations and China-EU relations.
The three countries understand and support China in safeguarding its national sovereignty, security, and development interests. They believe that countries should respect each other, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, promote mutual understanding and trust through equal dialogue, and jointly maintain regional and world peace, stability and development.
The second is to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation.
China and Myanmar decided to actively promote the construction of the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor, and coordinate the advancement of the Kyaukphyu Special Economic Zone, Yangon New Town, the China-Myanmar Border Economic Cooperation Zone and the interconnection framework project, bringing the economic and trade cooperation between the two countries to a new level.
China and Spain agreed to further dock the economic recovery strategy, deepen cooperation in agricultural exports, renewable energy, smart cities, electric vehicles, e-commerce and digital communications, and inject new momentum into the development of bilateral relations.
China and Greece unanimously agreed to continue to promote the Piraeus Port cooperation project, expand the infrastructure of the container terminal, develop comprehensive supporting services, and build Piraeus Port into a world-class port with both land and sea.
The two sides also discussed strengthening cooperation in agriculture, power and other fields to provide more assistance to their respective economic recovery and development.
The third is to promote anti-epidemic cooperation.
During the visit, China exchanged in-depth views with the three countries on the global and their respective epidemic prevention and control situation and measures.
The three countries agreed that China worked with them to fight the epidemic and wrote a new chapter in traditional friendship.
China emphasizes its willingness to continue to provide support within its capacity based on the epidemic situation and the needs of the three countries.
China and the three countries have agreed to strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation in epidemic prevention and control, vaccine and drug research and development, and production and sales of anti-epidemic materials, and jointly support the WHO in playing a leading role in the global fight against the epidemic.
The Chinese side introduced the active development of international cooperation in the field of public health, and emphasized that China is committed to working with other countries to improve the ability to respond to global public health emergencies, safeguard the lives and health of people around the world, and promote the building of a community of human health and health. .
The three countries agree with China’s propositions and ideas, emphasize their opposition to stigmatization through the use of the epidemic, and call on the international community to further work together to fight the epidemic.
The fourth is to promote cultural exchanges.
Both China and the three countries have a long history and splendid civilization.
All countries agree that we should treat the differences in history and culture and social systems of countries in an objective and inclusive manner, strengthen dialogue and exchanges, promote harmonious development, and work together to promote human civilization and progress.
China and Myanmar agreed to jointly host the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and cultural tourism year activities, promote exchanges between the youth of the two countries, and vigorously inherit and promote the Paukphaw friendship.
China and Spain will work together to expand language teaching, cultural and sports exchanges between the two sides, and enrich the cultural ties between China and the West.
China and Greece will successfully host the 2021 Cultural Tourism Year and the "Ancient Civilization Forum" jointly launched by the two countries to promote exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations on a larger scale. Greece welcomes more Chinese tourists to visit after the epidemic is under control.
The fifth is to jointly maintain peace and development.
During this visit, China and the three countries had in-depth exchanges on major international, regional and global issues of common concern.
All countries agreed that the epidemic has brought an impact on the international pattern and order, and that factors of instability and uncertainty in international relations have increased.
The international community should uphold multilateralism, work together to maintain a peaceful and peaceful development environment, protect the development rights and interests of the people of all countries, and work together to respond to global challenges.
China and Myanmar emphasize that they will jointly uphold and promote the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and promote the democratization of international relations.
China, Spain and Greece agreed that China and the EU should further strengthen communication and coordination, jointly support the multilateral system, and improve global governance.
All countries agree that on the 75th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, the international community should resolutely safeguard the international system with the United Nations as its core, firmly defend the basic norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and continue to provide positive energy for world peace and stability .
2. The Party Central Committee proposes to accelerate the formation of a new development pattern in which domestic and international cycles are the mainstay and the domestic and international dual cycles promote each other.
From the perspective of the new development pattern, how do you view the cooperation between China and the three countries?
The Party Central Committee clearly stated that it is necessary to accelerate the formation of a new development pattern with the domestic cycle as the main body and the domestic and international dual cycles mutually promoting each other.
This is an important decision made by the Party Central Committee based on the current economic situation at home and abroad.
Taking the domestic cycle as the main body requires us to adhere to the strategic direction of supply-side structural reform, adhere to the strategic basis of expanding domestic demand, give full play to the domestic super-large-scale market advantages, and continuously release the domestic demand potential of economic growth.
At the same time, taking the domestic cycle as the main body is by no means a closed door to shut down operations, nor is it to weaken foreign trade and foreign investment, but to make better use of the domestic and international markets and resources by making greater use of the domestic demand potential to make the domestic market and the international The market will be better connected to achieve stronger and sustainable high-quality development.
President Xi Jinping delivered an important speech at the 2020 China International Trade in Services Global Service Trade Summit, proposing three initiatives to create an open and inclusive cooperation environment, jointly activate innovation-led cooperation momentum, and jointly create a mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation situation.
This has pointed out the direction for us to better implement the decisions and arrangements of the Party Central Committee and build a new development pattern.
We must deeply understand and implement the spirit of President Xi Jinping’s important speech, fully and accurately grasp the internal logic of the new development pattern and the dialectical relationship between the two cycles, and in accordance with the requirements of the Party Central Committee, we must strive to build a higher level of opening to the outside world and build a new open economic system. Effective use of foreign capital, in-depth advancement of pilot free trade zones, to create new open heights; to jointly build the "Belt and Road" with higher quality, unblock trade channels, tap trade potential, open up two-way markets, and do a good job in project construction; participate at a higher level Global competition, continuous advancement of technological innovation, support of superior enterprises to move towards the high end of the international industrial chain, improve the ability to grasp international rules, explore international markets and prevent risks; focus on creating a better external environment, promote the liberalization and facilitation of cross-border trade and investment, and safeguard multilateralism Trade system, necessary reforms to the World Trade Organization, and jointly promote the development of economic globalization in a more open, inclusive, inclusive, balanced, and win-win direction.
During the visit, I gave a comprehensive introduction to the leaders of the three countries under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, and China is coordinating the advancement of epidemic prevention and control and economic and social development. I emphasized that the Chinese Party and government firmly pursue people-centered development. Philosophy, China has the confidence and ability to ensure the realization of this year’s economic and social development goals and tasks, and the long-term positive trend of China’s economy will not change.
I introduced to the three countries China’s policy concepts for building a new development pattern, emphasizing China’s adherence to open development, the mutual promotion of the domestic and international double cycles of the Chinese economy, and the positive interactions that will release greater growth potential and momentum, and bring China closer to the world economy.
Revitalizing and strengthening the domestic cycle will strongly stimulate domestic demand and create a broader consumer market for all parties including ASEAN and the EU.
At the same time, deepening cooperation with the two major trading partners of ASEAN and the EU will provide a strong boost for China's domestic and international dual cycles, and make important contributions to maintaining the stability of the international industrial chain supply chain and promoting the recovery of the world economy.
Under the new development pattern, the cooperation between China and the three countries will be stronger and more powerful, and will greatly promote the practical cooperation between China, ASEAN and the EU, and promote the realization of a higher level of mutual benefit and deeper integration of interests.
During the visit, I had in-depth communication with the leaders of the three countries on high-quality joint construction of the “Belt and Road”.
The Chinese side emphasizes that the joint construction of the “Belt and Road” is an important part of the economic cycle of China and countries along the route, and it provides an important platform and channel for promoting economic recovery in various countries and revitalizing the regional economic cycle.
Myanmar, Spain, and Greece are all important countries for “Belt and Road” cooperation.
China and the three countries have carried out fruitful cooperation within the framework of jointly building the "Belt and Road". Together with the three countries, we will continue to uphold the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, adhere to the concept of openness, greenness, and integrity, and steadily promote infrastructure construction, energy, and shipping. Cooperate in key areas, expand and strengthen key projects, create "Belt and Road" boutique projects, promote high-quality co-construction of "Belt and Road" to achieve more positive results, and achieve high standards, people's livelihood, and sustainable development goals.
3. How to evaluate the current relationship between China, ASEAN and EU?
How does China plan its relations with ASEAN and EU in the next phase?
Myanmar is an important member of ASEAN. During my visit to Myanmar, I exchanged in-depth views with Myanmar on the development of China-ASEAN relations and reached many consensuses.
I also visited Singapore not long ago to communicate on China-ASEAN cooperation.
China and ASEAN countries are connected by land and sea and have a common land border of more than 4,000 kilometers. They live next to each other and share cultures.
"Welcome to relatives, and neighbors to neighbors."
China attaches great importance to ASEAN and regards ASEAN as the priority direction of its neighboring diplomacy.
We firmly support the unity and growth of ASEAN, support the construction of the ASEAN community, support ASEAN’s central position in East Asian cooperation, and are committed to building a closer community of shared future with ASEAN.
China-ASEAN relations are the driving force for regional development and prosperity.
Many ASEAN friends say that China-ASEAN relations are the strongest and most dynamic group of relations among ASEAN dialogue partners.
ASEAN has become China's largest trading partner.
In the first half of this year, China's trade with ASEAN increased by 5.6% against the trend, and non-financial direct investment increased by 53.1% year-on-year. This fully demonstrates that China and ASEAN are interdependent, mutually dependent, and win-win cooperation.
Next year will be the 30th anniversary of the establishment of China-ASEAN dialogue partners. The cooperation between the two sides has great potential and broad prospects.
In the next stage, China is willing to work with ASEAN to deepen mutual relations in the following aspects: First, strengthen political mutual trust.
Jointly implement the important consensus reached by President Xi Jinping and leaders of ASEAN countries, further deepen the implementation of the "China-ASEAN Strategic Partnership Vision 2030", and focus on the political design and preparations for the results of the East Asia Cooperation Leadership Conference during the year.
Prepare and host a series of commemorative activities for the 30th anniversary of the establishment of a dialogue partner between the two sides next year, and come up with more specific measures to provide cooperation support for the improvement and upgrading of the relationship between the two sides.
The second is to seek mutually beneficial development.
In-depth docking and co-construction of the "Belt and Road" initiative and the "ASEAN Connectivity Master Plan 2025", strengthen cooperation in the fields of economy, trade and finance, infrastructure, defense and security, maritime, social and humanities, promote the establishment of a blue economic partnership, and deepen digital and other fields Economic cooperation, exploring new growth points for China-ASEAN cooperation, and providing new impetus for regional economic recovery and development.
China is willing to work with ASEAN countries to promote the establishment of more necessary "fast channels" for personnel exchanges and "green channels" for the circulation of goods to stabilize the supply chain of the industrial chain.
The third is to closely cooperate in the fight against the epidemic.
Actively promote joint prevention and control, and strengthen cooperation in vaccine and drug research and development.
China supports ASEAN in setting up anti-epidemic funds and emergency medical supplies reserves, and will give priority to ASEAN in terms of vaccine research and development and future distribution, and take practical actions to promote the construction of a China-ASEAN health community.
Jointly support the WHO to play a better role, resolutely oppose the politicization and stigmatization of the epidemic, and promote global anti-epidemic cooperation.
The fourth is to maintain regional stability.
We are willing to maintain close coordination with ASEAN on international, regional and global issues, and jointly voice the voice of safeguarding multilateralism, safeguarding regional peace and stability, and safeguarding international fairness and justice.
We are willing to work with ASEAN countries to fully and effectively implement the "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea", accelerate consultations on the "Code of Conduct in the South China Sea", strengthen practical maritime cooperation, and build the South China Sea into a sea of peace, friendship, and cooperation.
China and Europe are two major forces, two major markets, and two major civilizations in the world today. The China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership is one of my country's most important foreign relations.
China and Europe have different social systems and development paths, but this has never been an obstacle to cooperation between the two sides. On the contrary, the common interests of China and Europe continue to expand.
China adheres to its own system and development path, does not allow other countries to interfere in China's internal affairs, but does not export models, never interferes in European internal affairs, always views the EU and China-EU relations with a positive and constructive attitude, and always firmly supports the European integration process. Firmly support the unity and growth of the EU, and firmly support the EU's more important role in international affairs.
China and Europe are mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation partners, not institutional opponents where you lose and we lose.
During the visit, I conducted candid and in-depth communication with the leaders of Spain and Greece on the development of China-EU relations. I felt that the EU attaches great importance to strengthening cooperation with China. I am full of expectations for China and the EU to work together to plan economic recovery and development in the post-epidemic period and respond to global challenges.
The leaders of both countries emphasized that EU-China cooperation faces huge opportunities.
This year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the EU. Both sides should take this opportunity to work together and meet each other halfway to push China-EU relations to a new level.
One is to strengthen the political leadership of bilateral relations.
The two sides should jointly organize high-level exchange activities in the next stage, and in line with the principle of mutual respect, strengthen dialogue and communication, continuously strengthen political mutual trust, gather common ground and eliminate differences, effectively manage differences, and inject impetus into the development of China-EU relations.
Complete the negotiations on the 2025 Strategic Plan for China-EU Cooperation as soon as possible and improve the institutional framework for China-EU relations.
The second is to make the cake of common interests of China and Europe bigger.
Further expand the scale of bilateral trade and investment, sign the "China-EU Geographical Indications Agreement" as soon as possible, and strive to complete the China-EU investment agreement negotiations within this year, and provide institutional guarantees for China and Europe to increase mutual openness and build high-quality mutually beneficial cooperation.
The third is to expand cooperation in green development and digital economy.
Deepen the potential of China-EU cooperation in areas such as climate change, circular economy, environmental technology, and green finance, and explore the establishment of a China-EU green partnership.
Strengthen the alignment of China-EU development strategies, cultivate new growth points for China-EU digital economy cooperation, and strengthen bilateral cooperation in artificial intelligence, e-commerce, digital payment, online services, and data governance.
The fourth is to expand China-EU anti-epidemic cooperation.
China and the EU should focus on the urgent task of fighting the epidemic, adhere to the same boat, unite and cooperate, strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the field of epidemic prevention and control, facilitate personnel exchanges under the background of normal epidemic prevention and control, help resume work and resume production, and stabilize the global industrial chain supply chain .
The fifth is to resolutely safeguard multilateralism.
Strengthen communication between China and the EU on improving global governance, promoting sustainable development, and solving global and regional hotspot issues, maintaining close coordination on the reform of the UN Security Council, WTO and WHO, and jointly defending and practicing multilateralism.
4. At present, individual big countries stubbornly pursue unilateralism and bullying, intensify their tendency to de-globalization, and maintain multilateralism is even more urgent.
How do China and the three countries view the dispute between multilateralism and unilateralism?
For a period of time, the headwinds of unilateralism and protectionism have continuously impacted and damaged international coordination and cooperation, casting a shadow over the economic and social development of all countries in the world.
Individual big powers are self-sufficient, powerful and bully. They use Cold War mentality to instigate conflict and confrontation, poison international relations. Multilateralism and international cooperation have been severely impacted. They have been widely opposed and criticized by the international community, demanding to resist unilateral bullying and abandon the Cold War mentality. The call for promoting multilateralism and defending the multilateral system is unprecedentedly strong.
Multilateralism is an important foundation for the operation and development of multilateral mechanisms after the Second World War, an inevitable requirement for promoting global governance, and an effective way to maintain world peace and promote common development.
China has always maintained that the international order is definitely not an order in which some countries are superior to others.
Sovereign equality and multilateralism are still the mainstream of the world today.
We should firmly uphold multilateralism and firmly defend the international order and system with the United Nations as the core and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter as the foundation.
Some countries have problems such as the polarization between the rich and the poor, social injustice, and poor governance, which are caused by the unfair distribution of their internal development achievements. They attribute their own problems to globalization, and even blame others, throw the blame on others, and instigate the Cold War mentality It is completely wrong to create barriers and opposition, and this attempt will never succeed.
During the visit, the leaders of the three countries and I had an in-depth exchange of views and reached a high-level consensus on how to jointly safeguard multilateralism and international fairness and justice in the current complex and volatile international situation.
The leaders of the three countries all expressed their hope to strengthen communication and cooperation with China on improving global governance and jointly support the multilateral system.
This fully shows that safeguarding multilateralism is still the universal consensus and aspiration of the international community.
The three countries agreed that this epidemic once again proved that mankind is a community with a shared future. China and the three countries oppose politicizing the epidemic and stigmatizing other countries. In the current situation where the threat of the new crown pneumonia epidemic continues and the world economy suffers a severe setback, it is even more necessary for all countries to grasp the trend of the times, share historical responsibilities, gather common ground on the basis of mutual respect, expand cooperation on the basis of mutual benefit, and seek common goals for all countries in the world. The safety and well-being of the people. China will work with the three countries to support the WHO in playing a leading role in the global fight against the epidemic, strengthen coordination and cooperation within the United Nations, the G20, the World Trade Organization and other multilateral frameworks, jointly advocate multilateralism, free trade, and safeguard the international community. Stable relations, promote the democratization of international relations, and promote the development of the global governance system in a more just and reasonable direction.