Wang Yi, China’s foreign minister, has maintained the country’s position on the conflict in Ukraine and hinted that ties with Russia would be strengthened in the next year while also praising the “historic strides forward” in relationships between China and the Arab world.
Wang also criticised the United States for worsening relations between the world’s two largest economies, saying that Beijing has “firmly rejected” Washington’s “erroneous China policy” in a video address to a conference in the Chinese capital.
In response to US aggression, China has pushed back on trade, technology, human rights, and its claims to a large part of the Western Pacific.
Its relations with the rest of Europe have become increasingly strained due to the country’s failure to denounce Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and cooperate with other countries in placing sanctions on the land.
According to a transcript of his remarks, Wang said, “With regard to the Ukraine crisis, we have consistently upheld the fundamental principles of objectivity and impartiality, without favouring one side or the other, without adding fuel to the fire, still less seeking selfish gains from the situation.”
He said China would also “deepen strategic mutual trust and mutually beneficial cooperation” with Russia. In the East China Sea last week, warships from both countries participated in combined naval drills.
According to Wang, the two countries trade is growing “at a faster pace” than expected, and significant investment projects are underway.
Wang claimed that China and Arab countries “have reached consensus on forging a closer China-Arab community with a shared future,” referencing President Xi Jinping’s recent trip to Saudi Arabia, where he attended the first China-Arab States Summit and the China-Gulf Cooperation Summit.
Xi inked several strategic and economic partnership agreements during his trip and promised to keep importing massive amounts of oil from the Gulf and increase liquefied natural gas imports.
However, Wang noted in his speech that “China and the United States cannot decouple or sever supply chains,” despite Xi’s goal for more self-sufficiency in Chinese industry.
The United States “has stubbornly continued to see China as its primary competitor and engage in blatant blockade, suppression, and provocation against China,” he said, adding that China would work to restore ties with the US.
The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, and Wang had a phone conversation late last week.
According to the State Department, Blinken voiced worries about Russia’s war in Ukraine, its effects on global security and economic stability, and the importance of properly managing the US-China relationship.
According to a statement released by the Chinese foreign ministry, Wang accused the United States of “unilateral bullying” and pledged that China would continue to play a constructive role in finding a solution to the problem in Ukraine.