‘Sovereignty and security - China’s primary foreign policy aims’ - Part II:

How peaceful China-US ties help both countries

The Fifth Session of the Eleventh National People’s Congress held a press conference in the Great Hall of the People on March 6, 2012. Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi answered questions from Chinese and foreign press on China’s foreign policy and external relations.

Wall Street Journal: Minister Yang, does China regard the recent US strategic shift towards Asia as a threat? And if so, what countermeasures does China plan against that threat? More broadly, given the range of tensions now between China and the US over Iran, Syria and many other issues, what steps should the two countries be taking to establish more trust?

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi

Foreign Minister Yang: I believe it is necessary that we first look at the big picture of China-US ties.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the issuance of China-US Shanghai Communiqué. Over the past 40 years, China-US relations have forged ahead in spite of some twists and turns, and the door of exchange and cooperation between the two countries has become more wide open. The engagement between China and the United States has shown that a peaceful China-US relationship benefits both countries, while a confrontational one harms both. To sustain the sound and steady development of China-US relationship is the common responsibility of the two countries. It also meets the fundamental interest of the international community. There are some differences and disagreements between China and the United States. But on the whole this relationship has been moving forward, not backward.

Last year, President Hu Jintao paid a successful state visit to the United States. During the visit, he and President Obama reached important agreement that the two countries will work together to build a China-US cooperative partnership based on mutual respect and mutual benefit. Since then, President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao have had several important meetings with President Obama. Last month, Vice President Xi Jinping paid a successful visit to the US. That has given a strong boost to the building of China-US cooperative partnership.

In handling China-US relations, we always believe that the two sides should view and handle this bilateral relationship from a strategic and long-term perspective. They should always work closely together to build a China-US cooperative partnership. We believe the two sides should always adhere to the principles set out in the three Sino-US Joint Communiqués and China-US Joint Statement, and truly respect each other's core interests and major concerns.

In particular, the US side needs to honour its commitment and carefully and properly handle Taiwan and Tibet-related issues that concern China's core interests. I believe the two countries should continue to intensify exchanges and coordination through such platforms as high-level mutual visits and contacts and the China-US strategic and economic dialogues. The two countries should work together to increase mutual strategic trust, remove various disturbances and open up new prospects for such two big countries as China and the US to embrace healthy interaction and win-win cooperation.

China and the United States have more converging interests in the Asia-Pacific region than anywhere else in the world. What is the trend in this part of the world? In my view, the trend of peace, development and cooperation is going strong in this region. It meets people's will and it is unstoppable. We believe all countries in the world, big or small, strong or weak, rich or poor, are equal members of the international community. All roads from China lead to the Asia-Pacific and the whole world. China is ready to work with other countries to build a more equal and harmonious world. We hope that all countries concerned will work together for peace, stability, development and prosperity of this region. We hope to see and welcome a constructive role by the United States in this region. At the same time, we hope the US side will respect China's interests and concerns. We are ready to work with the United States and other countries in this region to develop an Asia-Pacific region that enjoys greater stability and development.

China and the United States have stayed in close communication on the issue of Syria and the issue of Iran. Peace, stability and development in the Middle East region serves the fundamental interests of both people in that region and the international community. This is the overarching purpose and end goal in our dealing with relevant issues in the Middle East.

You mentioned Syria and Iran. Let me now say a few words about Iran. On the Iranian nuclear issue, we are opposed to the development and possession of nuclear weapons by any country in the Middle East, including Iran.

At the same time, we believe that all countries, while fulfilling their obligations, have the right to peaceful use of nuclear energy. We believe that this issue should be properly handled and resolved though dialogue not confrontation, through cooperation not sanctions. We are opposed to imposing unilateral sanctions. And we believe that the majority of countries in the world take such a position. At the same time, we place high importance on the mechanism of consultation and negotiation between the P5 plus one and Iran. China and the United States are among the P5 plus one countries. Under the framework of this mechanism, China has stayed in close communication and coordination with the United States, Russia, the EU, and other members concerned. We hope to see early holding of the next round of dialogue under this mechanism so as to push forward the process of seeking a proper settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue.

China National Radio: We have noted that since the end of last year, there have been close mutual visits and interactions between China and its neighbours at the leadership level. Yet some people take the view that the disputes between China and some of its neighbouring countries over territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests have heated up. And some countries are increasingly worried about China's national strength and its diplomatic posturing. How do you evaluate China's relations with its neighbours and how will China handle and resolve the disputes it has with some of its neighbours?

Foreign Minister Yang: I believe one should view China's relationship with its neighbouring countries in the broader context of the general trend of development. I believe now the general trend is a positive one. China pursues a policy of building good-neighbourly relationships and partnerships with countries in its neighbourhood. We are committed to deepening the mutually beneficial cooperation with other Asian countries. Relations between China and other Asian countries are in good shape, and there are a lot of positive factors.

First, there have been close high-level exchanges. Last year, there were high level mutual visits between China and the majority of other Asian countries. Take ASEAN countries as an example. There were over 50 high-level mutual visits between the Chinese side and the ASEAN countries. High-level exchanges have played an irreplaceable role in guiding the efforts of China and other Asian countries in increasing mutual understanding and friendship.

Second, the interests of China and other Asian countries have become more closely entwined. Just now you said that some countries are worried about China's rising national strength. But I am afraid their worry is that what if China's development becomes too slow. I have visited some Asian countries recently. I feel that the Asian countries want to see the sustained, positive momentum of the Chinese economy. And they hope that China will enjoy continuous development as that will bring abundant benefits to people of the two sides in terms of business cooperation and mutually beneficial cooperation in other fields. When there are so many benefits, why not do it?

This world is far from a balanced one. Some have megaphones, some only small microphones and some none. Yet I always believe that the real figures speaker louder than microphones. China has become the biggest trading partner of the majority of its neighbours. Last year, trade between China and other Asian countries topped US $ 1 trillion. China's investment in the Asian region approached US $ 20 billion. Cooperation between China and other Asian countries in science and technology, finance, energy and infrastructure has been unprecedented in terms of both breadth and depth.

Third, mutual coordination has increased. China and other Asian countries have helped each other and worked closely together in handling major regional and international issues, pushing forward regional cooperation and tackling the international financial crisis and major natural disasters.

Forth, there have been dynamic cultural and people-to-people exchanges. Last year, China and many other Asian countries held such cultural and people-to-people exchange activities as Year of Friendship and youth festival. These activities have witnessed the deep friendship between the Chinese people and people of other Asian countries.

It is true that there are some differences and disagreements between China and some of its neighbouring countries over some issues. China believes that these disputes should be peacefully handled and resolved through dialogue and consultation. At the same time, we hope that the relevant parties will respect China's legitimate rights and interests, avoid making remarks or taking moves that may complicate the situation and work with China for stability, development and progress in the Asian region.

We believe that progress has already been made in handling these differences between China and the relevant Asian countries. And the two sides have reached important consensus on seeking peaceful settlement of related disputes and pushing forward mutually beneficial cooperation.

Let me say a few words about the South China Sea issue here. China always believes that the disputes in the South China Sea should be properly resolved through negotiations between the parties to the disputes on the basis of facts and in accordance with the basic norms governing international relations. Pending final settlement of the disputes, the parties concerned may put aside their disputes and engage in joint development. China and the relevant countries have reached important agreement on peacefully resolving disputes and pushing forward practical cooperation in the South China Sea.

At the same time, much remains to be done in this regard. China and ASEAN countries have reached agreement on the guidelines on the implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. In a word, we believe that China and relevant countries have the ability and wisdom to properly handle the South China Sea issue and maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.

To be continued

Courtesy: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China