China's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi, adopted a more conciliatory stance towards the United States during a high-profile press conference on Friday. As the country's most senior diplomat, Wang Yi emphasized the importance of improving bilateral relations despite existing differences. The event took place during China's annual parliamentary meeting, known as the "Two Sessions," where Wang discussed various international issues.
Wang Yi, who also serves as director of the office for foreign affairs within the Communist Party of China's central commission, addressed U.S.-China trade tensions by criticizing the imposition of "arbitrary tariffs" by the U.S. He reiterated this point in alignment with a statement made by the Chinese Embassy in the U.S. earlier in the week. The embassy had posted on X, emphasizing peaceful coexistence and readiness to confront any challenges posed by the U.S.
"If war is what the U.S. wants, be it a tariff war, a trade war or any other type of war, we're ready to fight till the end." – Chinese Embassy in the U.S.
In his extensive 90-minute address, Wang Yi highlighted China's commitment to fostering diplomatic relations with non-Western nations and stressed Beijing's willingness to engage in talks with the U.S. on trade matters. This sentiment was echoed by Chinese Minister of Commerce, Wang Wentao, who indicated Beijing's openness to negotiations with the United States.
China intends to enhance its diplomatic budget by 8.4% this year, surpassing last year's increase of 6.6%. This financial commitment underscores China's strategic intent to bolster its global diplomatic presence.
Wang Yi also addressed ongoing geopolitical issues, advocating for a two-state solution around Gaza and expressing Beijing's desire to play a constructive role in achieving "lasting peace" in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. While affirming China's enduring friendship with Moscow, Wang Yi underscored that external pressures have not impeded China's technological advancements. Instead, he suggested that Beijing is keen to share its technological innovations with other countries.
The press conference followed recent retaliatory measures by China against U.S. tariffs imposed under President Donald Trump's administration. Despite these challenges, Wang Yi stressed that China's technological growth continues unabated under what he described as "unjustified external suppression."
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