State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets the press

0 Comment(s)Print E-mail Ministry of Foreign Affairs, March 8, 2022
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International Media Group Rossiya Segodnya: The West is ratcheting up sanctions on Russia. How will this affect Russia-China relations?

Wang Yi: China and Russia are both permanent members of the UN Security Council, and each other's most important close neighbors and strategic partners. Our relationship is one of the most crucial bilateral relations in the world. Our cooperation not only advances the interests of both peoples, but also contributes to peace, stability and development in the world.

Last year, the two sides commemorated the 20th anniversary of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation. Given the increasingly complex international strategic landscape, our shared commitment to ever-lasting friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation, as enshrined in the Treaty, is highly relevant and important not only to both sides but also to countries across the world.

I wish to stress that the China-Russia relationship is valued for its independence. It is based on non-alliance, non-confrontation and non-targeting of any third party. It is free from interference or discord sown by third parties. This is both what historical experience has taught us and an innovation in international relations. Not long ago, the two sides issued a joint statement on international relations entering a new era and global sustainable development. It sends an unequivocal message to the world that China and Russia jointly oppose attempts to revive the Cold War mindset or provoke ideology-based confrontation, and stand for greater democracy in international relations as well as the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.

The China-Russia relationship is grounded in a clear logic of history and driven by strong internal dynamics, and the friendship between the Chinese and Russian peoples is rock-solid. There is a bright prospect for cooperation between the two sides. No matter how precarious and challenging the international situation may be, China and Russia will maintain strategic focus and steadily advance our comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era.

Xinhua News Agency: China has been evacuating many of its nationals from Ukraine. Can you share with us more information on this?

Wang Yi: With tensions escalating in Ukraine, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the State Council are highly concerned about the safety of every Chinese national in Ukraine. General Secretary Xi Jinping has taken a personal interest, repeatedly asked about the situation and demanded all-out efforts to ensure the safety of Chinese nationals. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has activated its consular emergency response mechanism, both maintaining diplomatic communications with Ukraine, Russia and countries in the neighborhood, and issuing safety alerts and reminders for Chinese compatriots in Ukraine.

In the immediate wake of the dramatic developments on the ground, we acted promptly to help Chinese nationals in Ukraine to take shelter and provided timely assistance to those in need. Meanwhile, we are seizing the window of opportunity to organize emergency evacuation of Chinese nationals. My colleagues at the Chinese Embassy in Ukraine and the Consulate General in Odessa are taking great personal risks to arrange for the safe passage of Chinese nationals. Chinese embassies in the neighboring countries of Ukraine are working around the clock and leaving no stone unturned to provide shelter for and facilitate the departure of our compatriots. Relevant government departments and various Chinese localities have also been coordinating closely to send multiple charter flights expeditiously to bring our compatriots home from various European cities.

As we worked on the safety and evacuation of Chinese nationals, the government and various sectors of society in Ukraine showed goodwill and provided facilitation. Countries including Russia, Moldova, Romania, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Belarus also provided invaluable support. What they have done is an expression of great friendship toward the Chinese people. On behalf of the Chinese side, I would like to say a hearty thank-you to the governments and peoples of those countries.

During the evacuation, the Chinese community in Ukraine and neighboring countries, including Chinese students and firms, mobilized every resource at their disposal and worked closely with each other. This once again shows the Chinese virtue of solidarity in the face of challenges. I wish to give them my warm and sincere regards.

As we speak, there are still some Chinese nationals in Ukraine due to the local situation or for personal reasons. Our thoughts are with them. We are in close touch with them and are prepared to provide all possible assistance in response to their needs.

The world is not yet a tranquil place. As an online comment reads, we don't live in a peaceful world, but we are lucky to have a motherland that seeks and enjoys peace. Serving the people is the abiding commitment of the Chinese diplomatic service. With everything we do, we will continue to show every one of our compatriots overseas that we stand with you at all times, wherever you may be, and your motherland will always have your back.

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