On the afternoon of March 7, the Fourth Session of the 13th National People's Congress held a press conference in the Press Conference Hall of the Great Hall of the People. State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi was invited to answer questions from Chinese and foreign journalists on "China's foreign policy and foreign relations".
Agence France-Presse: Last month, the new US President Biden said that the transatlantic alliance is back. Is China worried about the approach of US-European relations?
Does China want to separate the relationship between the United States and Europe?
We also know that China and the European Union have reached an investment agreement. Is this move to attract the European side to China's attractive range?
In particular, this agreement puts forward the hope that China can sign the "Forced Labor Convention." Does China intend to do so?
Wang Yi: In the past year, President Xi Jinping successfully held three video meetings with European leaders to maintain intensive high-level communication.
The two sides have increased mutual trust in the fight against the epidemic, and enhanced cooperation in the celebration of the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. They not only signed but also entered into force the China-EU Geographical Indications Agreement, and completed the China-EU Investment Agreement negotiations as scheduled.
What I want to emphasize is that whether it is the Geographical Indication Agreement or the China-EU Investment Agreement, this is in line with the common needs of both parties and is not a unilateral benefit.
It can be negotiated because the two sides reached a consensus.
Last year, China became the EU's largest trading partner for the first time.
It can be said that China-EU relations have shown resilience and vitality amidst crises and challenges, and they have also sent positive and positive signals to the world.
Wang Yi: The history of China-EU relations fully proves that China and the EU share extensive common interests, and win-win cooperation is the main tone of bilateral relations; the two major civilizations of China and Europe can be dialogue and exchanges, and we are not institutional rivals; China and the EU can carry out cooperation independently. Many important things.
I would like to reiterate that China will continue to support the European integration process, support the EU’s unity and self-reliance, and support the EU’s greater role in international affairs.
Wang Yi: China believes that China and Europe represent two important forces in a multi-polar world. The relationship between the two parties is equal and open. They are not directed at or controlled by third parties. Therefore, there is no problem that China wants to divide the relationship between the United States and Europe.
At the same time, China is happy to see that the EU continues to strengthen its strategic autonomy, uphold the concept of multilateralism, and is committed to coordination and cooperation among major powers.
As for the issue of the fulfillment of commitments by both parties to the China-EU Investment Agreement negotiations, I can tell you clearly that China will fulfill all its commitments made in this agreement, including efforts to promote the signing of relevant provisions of the International Labor Convention. We will also It is believed that the European side will fulfill all the commitments made by the European Union in this agreement.
In short, we are willing to join hands with the EU to jointly address global challenges, inject more positive energy into the international community to fight the epidemic, restore the economy, and tackle climate change, and provide more stability to international relations.
(Organized according to the web text live broadcast)