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

Securing peace in the Korean peninsula

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.

China News Service: Minister Yang, how do you see the current situation on the Korean peninsula? We have seen that the relevant parties have had some contact and interaction since last year surrounding the restart of the Six-Party Talks. How you look at the prospects of the resumption of the Six-Party Talks? The second Nuclear Security Summit will soon be held in Seoul. What expectations does the Chinese side have?

Foreign Minister Yang: It serves the common interests of all parties concerned and meets the aspiration of the international community to uphold peace and security on the Korean Peninsula, achieve the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula and normalization of relations between relevant countries, and build a peace and security mechanism for Northeast Asia. The Six-Party Talks has become an effective mechanism and important platform for discussing and resolving the above-mentioned issues.

Over the past weeks and months, various parties have engaged in positive interactions and contacts. As the chair of the Six-Party Talks, China has stayed in close touch with other relevant parties.

We have always encouraged dialogue in pursuit of peaceful settlement of relevant issues and our work has achieved some important results. At the same time, we welcome dialogue and contact between the relevant parties. For example, not long ago, there was dialogue between the DPRK and the United States and positive progress has been made. We welcome that. We hope all the parties concerned will pool their wisdom, remove disturbances and work together to play a constructive role in advancing the Six-Party process and achieving the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula and lasting peace and stability in Northeast Asia.

The second Nuclear Security Summit will be held in Seoul late this month. The Chinese leader will attend the summit. During the summit, there will be discussions on enhancing the security of nuclear materials and nuclear facilities and guarding against nuclear terrorism.

I also believe that with the joint efforts of all the participants, the summit will also set out new, concrete measures related to nuclear security. That can help further build up international consensus on nuclear security and inject new dynamism into related international effort.

Phoenix TV: My question is about the situation in Syria. China has always stood for a peaceful and political settlement of the Syrian issue, but the situation in Syria now is not an optimistic one. How does China see the future development of this issue and will China’s position and views on this issue in any way affect its relationship with the Arab countries?

Foreign Minister Yang: It is true that major changes are taking place in the Middle East region. We firmly believe that people in the Middle East know best the situation there, issues in the Middle East region should be resolved by the people of the Middle East, and the future and destiny of the region should be determined by the people there.

Over the years, China has been a firm supporter of the just cause of the Arab countries and their people. The two sides have forged a deep friendship, and there are no historical grievances between the two sides. What the two sides have is expanding common interests and the consensus of working together to uphold peace and promote development.

Even the ten fingers cannot be of the same length. It is true that China and some Arab countries may sometimes differ in specific ways of action, but the two sides have the same overall objective of promoting stability, development and prosperity in the Middle East region. Cooperation between China and Arab countries is comprehensive and strategic, and the friendship and cooperation between the two sides can stand the test of changing international circumstances.

On the issue of Syria, as you know, not long ago, a leading official of the Chinese Foreign Ministry made a statement on this issue. He set out China’s six-point proposition and proposal on handling and resolving the issue of Syria.

Chinese leaders have made clear China’s views on this issue on several occasions. Chinese Foreign Ministry officials are also in contact with the relevant parties.

I myself have talked on the phone or face-to-face with the relevant parties. The fact is that the international community has paid very high attention to the position, proposition and initiative of the Chinese side on this issue, in particular the recent statement made by the leading official of the Chinese Foreign Ministry. And our position and view on this issue have received increasing understanding and support.

La Agencia EFE, S.A.: Has the Euro a future? Does the euro zone crisis offer a good opportunity of investment? Or should instead China spend their money in its internal development? And finally minister, how do you evaluate the relations between China and European countries?

Foreign Minister Yang: Not long ago, the China-EU Summit was held and important progress was made at the summit.

In my view, China-EU relationship has bright prospects. We believe that although the euro zone has encountered some difficulties, the European Union and the European countries have the ability and wisdom to overcome the current difficulties, resolve their debt issue and make new progress along the course of development.

We always have confidence in the EU and the euro zone, and we have supported the EU’s efforts in stabilizing the financial situation through our own ways.

We will continue to make investment in Europe and the euro to achieve mutual benefit.

People’s Daily: In recent years, the relationship between China and African countries has received wide international attention. How do you evaluate the current China-Africa relationship and cooperation? Some people say that China’s influence in Africa is increasing. What role has China been playing in African affairs?

Foreign Minister Yang: We feel privileged and we are seized by a strong sense of responsibility that the African people have chosen China as their partner for sincere cooperation. China is a developing country, and China wants to work with African countries to build a bright future.

Some say that China’s influence in Africa is on the rise. I think we should say that the consensus of the international community that African countries face enormous opportunities for development is on the rise.

I believe the international community should actively support Africa’s peace and development cause, actively support African countries in seeking self-enhancement through unity and independently resolving African issues, actively support African countries in strengthening their own capability for development, and actively support African countries in safeguarding their own rights and interests and playing a bigger role in international affairs.

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

Concluded