THE ongoing two sessions are “decoding” different “dimensions” of China’s foreign policy, giving the message of peace, prosperity, productivity, positivity and participation for the Global South and rest of the world. It upholds the message of “conflict resolution” through dialogue, diplomacy and development. It showcases the strategic importance of cooperation, coordination and collaboration to settle hotspots in the world which is indeed a commendable gesture. Thus it is the memorandum of positive neutrality, snatching of bloc mentality, law based international system, global governance and just economic globalization.
Most recently, the Chinese Foreign Minister and Director of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee Wang Yi presented holistic and comprehensive salient features of China’s foreign policy in the sideline of the two sessions. While responding to many questions he presented principles of China foreign policy ranging from succession of Taiwan and Hong Kong. He took many questions ranging from relations relating to China’s relations with the USA and the pursuit of a multi-polar world to the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine which vividly reflected China’s foreign policy goals, approach and achievements. Wang highlighted China’s commitment towards world peace through multilateralism and the United Nations (UN) process, terming an equal playing field for developing countries and promoting the influence of the Global South beneficial for world peace and stability.
By highlighting the strategic importance of China’s community with a shared future for mankind, a concept that has become an international consensus since it was presented a decade ago, Wang actually presented a sustainable solution for a peaceful and prosperous world. This vision has now been included in UN declarations as well as those of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, BRICS and other international institutions. It is a good omen that Wang’s emphasis on pursuing an equal and orderly multi-polar world, absent of bloc politics or divisions, featuring equal rights and equal rules, is highly appreciated worldwide. Wang termed the Chinese path as futuristic, holistic and comprehensive for global equality. He also labelled strengthening the role of the UN as vital for emerging crises and challenges and suggested that a refined, reformed and redefined UN is needed to increase the representation and say of developing countries.
While talking on artificial intelligence (AI), Wang pinpointed China’s core policy about it, desiring an equal emphasis on development and security and more should be done to bridge the AI divide. He was absolutely right to warn that attempts to create “small yard, high fence” regulations should not be repeated or replicated and termed an international governance system under the framework of the UN that all can participate in as equals. During his interaction with the world media, he highlighted China’s three key principles: AI should be a force for good, safety should always be ensured and it should be placed under human control and fairness should be sought. To achieve this, China would put forward a draft resolution in the UN on enhancing capacity building in AI among developing countries to bridge the technological divide and allow all countries to benefit from it.
Talking on China-US relationship, Wang termed it healthy since the San Francisco meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden in November 2023, however, U.S. misperception towards China continues and Washington’s promises have not been fully fulfilled. Nevertheless, the Chinese Foreign Minister described the relationship as “critical to the well-being of the two peoples and the future humanity of the world,” and said China’s approach to the U.S. was stable and consistent. He pinpointed three major principles that China follows in its relations with the U.S.: mutual respect is a precondition; peaceful coexistence is a baseline, as conflict between the countries would have “unimaginable consequences,” and win-win cooperation is the goal.
Wang highlighted China’s successful mediation efforts for achieving a ceasefire in northern Myanmar and the restoration of Saudi Arabia-Iran ties through constructive engagement in settling hotspot issues based on four fundamental principles: non-interference in internal affairs, commitment to political settlement, commitment to impartiality and no double standards and focus on addressing symptoms and root causes. The Foreign Minister emphasized that China believes dialogue is critical to the peaceful resolution of hotspot issues around the world, from the Korean Peninsula to Ukraine. On Ukraine, he said China has been working to end the conflict and start peace talks. He said China had held an objective position from the start, engaged in leader-to-leader diplomacy, published a position paper and appointed a special representative.
He added that Chinese wisdom of peace and internationalism prevailed in the recently held Munich Security Conference suggesting conditions for a way out towards win-win situation and discarding a lose-lose outcome. Wang described the situation in Gaza as a human tragedy and civilizational disgrace, adding that nothing justifies the protraction of the conflict and the killing of civilians. In summary, Wang Yi’s interaction with the media successfully “decoded” Chinese principles, policies, plans and projects for achieving the world’s peace, stability and harmony through a community with shared future and Xi’s global development, security and civilizational initiatives.
Wang’s message was loud and clear that “geo-economics” is the way forward. Meaningful role of developing countries in the international system, mainly the UN, would further strengthen the concept of a “multi-polar” world. Discarding the “genie” of geopolitics, formation of blocs, socio-economic marginalization, “decoupling”, “delinking” and bans of investments will achieve nothing but further weak world economy in the days to come. Highlighting the strategic importance of the BRI and CPEC clearly demonstrates China’s commitments towards a better and “connected” world through trans-regional connectivity providing an ideal platform for elimination of poverty, generation of new jobs and building bridges of trust, respect, peace and humanity.
—The writer is Executive Director, Centre for South Asia & International Studies, Islamabad, regional expert China, BRI & CPEC & senior analyst, world affairs, Pakistan Observer.
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