Wang Yi answers media on foreign policy

context: Foreign Minister Wang Yi 王毅 discussed the PRC's foreign policy and relations at a National People's Congress press conference during the 2025 Two Sessions. It came at a time of unparalled volatility with economic crisis at home, and geopolitical disarray worldwide triggered by disruptive policies, amounting to unilateralism, of the returning Trump administration. Hence Wang's counter theme of stability and miultilateralism.

Key takeaways include

  • head-of-state diplomacy
    • President Xi Jinping's 习近平 diplomatic efforts have strengthened the PRC's global standing

    • 2025 will see significant diplomatic events, including the 80th anniversary of victory in WWII and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit

  • Sino–Russian relations
    • the PRC and Russia maintain strong, stable relations, 'non-aligned, non-confrontational, and non-targeting of any third party'
    • they will jointly commemorate the 80th anniversary of WWII
  • role in a changing world
    • Beijing aims to provide stability in a volatile world by
      • defending national interests
      • maintaining world peace
      • upholding international fairness
      • promoting global development
  • relations with the US
    • Beijing
      • emphasises mutual respect and opposes attempts to contain its development
      • urges cooperation and warning against pressure
      • addressed issues like fentanyl and trade tariffs
      • maintains conflict is not the answer, and that mutual benifit should be the goal
  • the Global South
    • the PRC sees the Global South as a key force in international affairs

      • it supports initiatives like BRICS and emphasises development and unity among developing nations
  • Ukraine crisis
    • the PRC urges dialogue and a political solution, supporting all efforts for peace 
      • it states that all parties should learn that security is mutual, and not at the expense of another nation

  • technology and innovation
    • the PRC 
      • is committed to technological advancement, it opposes attempts to hinder its progress
      • promotes international cooperation in areas like AI

  • the UN and international order
    • Beijing reaffirms its support for the UN and advocates for multilateralism, and opposes unilateralism and power politics
  • Middle East and Gaza
    • the PRC supports a two-state solution and calls for a ceasefire in Gaza
    • Beijing states that Gaza belongs to the Palestinian people

  • PRC–Africa relations
    • Beijing emphasises its strong partnership with Africa and its commitment to supporting African development

    • the PRC will enact the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation
  •  Taiwan
    • Beijing strongly reiterated the one-China principle and the authority of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758