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".
NBC reporter: Climate change and the global epidemic are potential areas for future cooperation between China and the United States.
However, national security and human rights are clearly at the core of the new US administration's foreign policy, which involves issues such as the South China Sea, Taiwan, Xinjiang, Hong Kong, and Tibet.
In order to stabilize Sino-US relations, do you think China and the US have room for bilateral dialogue and make concessions on any of the above issues?
Wang Yi: When it comes to Sino-US relations, first of all we must abide by the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. This is a clear stipulation in the UN Charter and a basic norm of international relations. All countries, including China and the United States, should earnestly abide by it.
Many of the issues you just mentioned are China’s internal affairs.
Whether China is doing well or not, the Chinese people have the most say; what China should do, the Chinese people are the masters.
At the same time, we are willing to increase trust and dispel doubts with all parties and clarify the truth on the premise of respecting national sovereignty.
But we will never accept baseless accusations and smears, and we will never allow our core interests to be violated.
For a long time, the United States has arbitrarily interfered in the internal affairs of other countries under the banner of so-called democracy and human rights, causing many troubles in the world, and even becoming the source of turmoil and war.
The United States should realize this as soon as possible, otherwise the world will still be unrest.
Wang Yi: As two countries with different social systems, differences and contradictions between China and the United States are inevitable. The key is to effectively manage and control through candid communication, prevent strategic misjudgments, and avoid conflicts and confrontations.
As the world’s top two economies, it’s not surprising that China and the United States are competing in the fusion of interests. The key is to compete on a fair and just basis, which not only enhances oneself, but also illuminates each other, rather than attacking each other and zero-sum game. .
More importantly, cooperation should be the main goal pursued by both China and the United States, regardless of the common interests of the two countries or the people of the world.
The list of China and the United States that can and needs to cooperate is placed in front of us, including the fight against the epidemic, economic recovery, climate change, etc. We are willing to discuss and deepen cooperation with the United States with an open attitude.
It is hoped that the U.S. and China will meet each other halfway and lift the various unreasonable restrictions on Sino-U.S. cooperation so far as soon as possible, let alone create new obstacles artificially.
Wang Yi: On the Chinese New Year’s Eve last month, President Xi Jinping had a phone conversation with President Biden at an appointment.
The two heads of state had an in-depth exchange of views on Sino-US relations, which clarified the direction of efforts for the return of bilateral relations to the right track.
We are willing to work with the US to fully implement the results of this important call, and jointly promote the "Farewell to the Old and Welcome the New" in Sino-US relations and achieve healthy and stable development.
(Organized according to the web text live broadcast)