On February 17, 2024 local time, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the Munich Security Conference and delivered a keynote speech entitled "A Staunch Force for Stability in a Turbulent World" at the "China Special Session", pointing out that all countries should seek win-win results, avoid losing too much, unite and work together to inject more certainty into the world and create a better future for mankind.
Wang Yi said that past year witnessed much turbulence in our world and many challenges facing humanity. The global economy was weighed down by protectionism and the abuse of the security concept, and the international system was impaired by unilateralism and bloc politics. The Ukraine crisis continued unabated. Conflicts flared up again in the Middle East. Artificial intelligence (AI), climate change, space and the polar regions, among others, were posing a whole new set of challenges.No matter how the world changes, China, as a responsible major country, will keep its major principles and policies consistent and stable and serve as a staunch force for stability in a turbulent world.
First, China will be a force for stability in promoting cooperation between major countries.
For major countries, the more volatile the international landscape, the greater the need to enhance coordination; the more acute the risks and challenges, the greater the need to advance cooperation.With a sense of responsibility for history, for the people and for the world, China will work with the U.S. to implement the common understandings between the two presidents and move bilateral relations forward along the right path of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation. Russia is China’s largest neighboring country. A China-Russia relationship that grows steadily on the basis of non-alliance, non-confrontation and not targeting any third party meets the shared interests of the two countries, serves the strategic stability of the Asia-Pacific and the world, and represents a useful exploration of a new model of major-country relations.
China and Europe are the world’s two major forces, markets and civilizations, and should understand the international responsibilities on their shoulders. A more stable and closer relationship between China and Europe not only works to the advantage of both sides but also brings benefits to the whole world. It is imperative that China and Europe stay clear of geopolitical and ideological distractions, see each other as partners rather than rivals, and join hands to inject positive energy into a volatile world and point the way for overcoming difficulties together.
Second, China will be a force for stability in addressing hotspot issues.
We have worked to explore a Chinese way of addressing hotspot issues, one that advocates for non-interference in internal affairs and opposes imposing one’s will on others; upholds impartiality and justice and opposes pursuing selfish interests; seeks political settlement and opposes using force; aims to address both the symptoms and the root causes and opposes myopia and one-sidedness. The recent escalation and spillover of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the ongoing tension in the Red Sea once again demonstrate that the question of Palestine is at the heart of the Middle East issue. China has stood firm on the side of fairness and justice all along, vigorously working for an end to the conflict and for the protection of civilians. On the Ukraine crisis, China has never given up on promoting peace or slackened its efforts to facilitate talks. With a vast territory and over a dozen neighboring countries, China faces complex disputes left from history. On that, China has stayed committed to managing differences through consultation and resolving disputes through dialogue.
Third, China will be a force for stability in enhancing global governance.
In China’s view, the authority and central role of the United Nations (U.N.) can only be further strengthened, not weakened, and the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter have become all the more important, not outdated. China worked actively to enhance solidarity and cooperation of the Global South. China promoted the historic expansion of BRICS and gave support to the African Union in joining the G20, with a view to increasing developing countries’ representation and voice in global affairs, and contributing to a more balanced and effective global governance architecture. As the largest developing country, China has been doing its best to provide more public goods to the world. China has stayed committed to cooperation, openness and equality, and contributed its share to meeting global challenges.
Fourth, China will be a force for stability in promoting global growth.
Let me say that the Chinese economy, as vibrant and resilient as ever, is showing a more robust momentum of long-term growth.Last year, it grew by 5.2 percent, accounting for one third of global growth. As China grows rapidly into the world’s largest market, it will bring more dividends to the rest of the world. Focusing energy on realizing Chinese modernization is the biggest political consensus of the Chinese people right now. Seeking faster progress in high-quality development is of paramount importance for China in the new era.We will continue to expand institutional opening up, shorten the negative list on foreign investment, and foster a more market-oriented, law-based business environment up to international standards for companies from Europe and from all over the world. We need to work together to make globalization more universally beneficial and inclusive so that more countries and people can benefit from the process.
Wang Yi also answered questions on the Ukraine crisis, Taiwan, Xinjiang-related issues and the South China Sea.
