EXCHANGES

“l(fā)n the face of the ongoing COVlD-19 pandemic,the turbulent international situation,and the resurgence of the Cold War mentality,we need a strong UN more than ever.All sides should firmly uphold the international system with the UN at its core,the international order underpinned by international law,and basic norms governing international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.The representation and voice of developing countries should be enhanced and multilateral institutions should not be reduced to tools for certain countries or groups of countries to manipulate and decide international affairs.China’s vote in the UN always belongs to developing countries,and China will continue to speak out on their behalf.”

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said during his virtual meeting with Geneva envoys from Asian and African developing countries on August 15,2022.

“Speaker Pelosi made this provocative visit in disregard of China’s warning.The visit infringed on China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity;violated the one-China principle and provisions in the three China-U.S.joint communiqués;affected the political foundation of China-U.S.relations;and undermined peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.lt is unacceptable to the Chinese people.China has every reason to respond with countermeasures.The incident is also a lesson,revealing to the world U.S.motives to contain China with Taiwan and the intention of the Taiwan authorities to seek American support for independence.ln its aftermath,the one-China consensus of the international community emerged stronger,and the U.S.attempt to play the ‘Taiwan card’ and contain China proved to be unpopular and futile.”

Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu made the remark on August 9,2022 when he took questions from Chinese media on Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan.

Xi Jinping Replies to Letter from Teachers,Students in Malta

Chinese President Xi Jinping recently replied to a letter from teachers and students of the “China Corner” at St.Margaret College Secondary School in Malta,encouraging more Maltese youth to actively participate in people-to-people and cultural exchanges between the two countries.

In his letter,Xi noted that thanks to efforts of both sides,the “China Corner” at St.Margaret College Secondary School has actively contributed to enhancing understanding of China among the Maltese youth and promoted the China-Malta friendship.He wished the “China Corner”an even greater success,and welcomed teachers and students of the school to head to China for exchanges and study.

Peace and harmony amongst all states has been a long-held wonderful aspiration of the Chinese nation for the human society,Xi said,adding that it is also the cultural root of the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind.

“We live in a world where history and reality meet,where opportunities and challenges coexist,and where humanity as a whole rise or fall together.Countries must assist each other in times of need and choose win-win cooperation if we are to share in the fruits of development,” he noted.

Xi said for the purpose of tackling global development and international security challenges,China has put forward the Belt and Road Initiative,the Global Development Initiative,and the Global Security Initiative.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Malta,Xi said,adding that the bilateral relationship has become a fine example of friendship between two countries with different history and culture.

He hopes that more Maltese teachers,students,and young people will actively engage in bilateral cultural exchanges,promote mutual learning between the two civilizations,and carry forward the great tradition of friendship between the Chinese and Maltese people.

St.Margaret College Secondary School is a comprehensive public school in Malta,which set up the “China Corner” in 2010 with support from the Chinese side.

The teachers and students of the “China Corner” wrote a letter to Xi recently,in which they quoted a saying from theBook of Ritesthat“the whole world is one family,” expressing their appreciation for the Chinese culture and speaking highly of the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind and the Belt and Road Initiative.

They also extended wishes for the 50th anniversary of Malta-China diplomatic relations and expressed the willingness to make more contributions to cultural exchanges between the two countries.

Yang Jiechi Attends Sixth Silk Road International Exposition

Yang Jiechi,director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC)Central Committee,attended the opening ceremony of the sixth Silk Road International Exposition,and the Investment and Trade Forum for Cooperation between East and West China in Xi’an,capital city of northwest China’s Shaanxi Province,on August 14.

Addressing the event,Yang,who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee,called for enhanced Belt and Road cooperation.

He noted that in the nine years since the Belt and Road Initiative was proposed,significant achievements have been accomplished,and the initiative has become a popular global public good and a platform for international cooperation,exhibiting greater vitality and appeal.

China proposes to jointly expand new areas of cooperation,collaborate on landmark livelihood projects,resolutely deepen Belt and Road cooperation,promote the early recovery and growth of the global economy,and make the Belt and Road Initiative a development tool benefitting people across all nations,he said.

Emphasizing that China is willing to continue to uphold the principles of mutual respect,equality,mutual benefit,and win-win cooperation to forge solid cooperative relationships with all countries,Yang said China will always respect and support the people of all other countries in pursuit of an independent development path,and will work with all countries to promote world peace,stability,development and prosperity.

Wang Yi Attends ASEAN-China (10+1)Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

On August 4,2022,State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi co-chaired the ASEANChina (10+1) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Phnom Penh,which was attended by ASEAN foreign ministers and the ASEAN Secretary-General.

Wang Yi said that China is willing to work with ASEAN to continue advancing the building of a peaceful,safe and secure,prosperous,beautiful and amicable home together.The important consensuses reached by the leaders should be implemented,and there should a continuous deepening of the comprehensive strategic partnership to build a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future,so that greater contributions to regional peace and development can be made.Wang Yi put forward China’s proposal in this regard,which involves building a model of common development;setting an example of connectivity;strengthening coordination on global governance;jointly maintaining regional peace and stability.

China is stepping up efforts to honor its commitment to providing development assistance for ASEAN countries,and push forward the implementation of the Global Development Initiative(GDI) in ASEAN countries,Wang noted.

The Global Security Initiative (GSI) shares the security philosophy advocated by ASEAN and meets the purpose of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia,which has received positive responses from ASEAN countries.China is ready to work with ASEAN to explore the implementation of the GSI in ASEAN,Wang indicated.

The foreign ministers attending the meeting spoke highly of the dynamic ASEAN-China cooperation,lauding its remarkable achievements since the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two sides,and appreciated China’s consistent support for ASEAN’s central position.

“China is not the China of 120 years ago,and we refuse to be treated like lraq,Syria,or Afghanistan.The Chinese people will never allow any foreign force to bully,oppress,or subjugate us.Anyone who would attempt to do so will find themselves on a collision course with a great wall of steel forged by over 1.4 billion Chinese people.The position of the Chinese government and people on the Taiwan question is consistent.To uphold the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China is the firm will of the 1.4 billion Chinese people.We hope that the U.S.and its sidekicks who style themselves as democracies will be very clear about that.They need to take seriously and respect the core interests and the firm will of the Chinese people,who account for one fifth of the world’s population.”

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said at a regular press conference on August 5,2022.

“China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is an economic cooperation initiative that is conducive to regional connectivity,peace,stability,and development.China is ready to work with Pakistan to follow through on the common understanding between Chinese and Pakistani leaders and on the basis of ensuring sound implementation and operation of existing projects,further focus on cooperation in such areas as industries,livelihood,agriculture,science and technology,and information technology,so as to build CPEC into a demonstrative program of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.”

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin indicated at a regular press conference on August 17,2022.