Wang Yi sets the tone for China's global stance for 2017

By Shafei M. Hali

Under the leadership of President Xi, China's foreign relations with the world have touched new highs with each passing year. Within the contemporary world never before has China been sought after and revered as a leading country before. The foreign ministry has been the busiest as they have been working day and night to achieve President Xi's vision of transforming China into the world's hub for commerce by promoting equilibrium, and interconnectedness. The year 2016 has brought many accolades for the foreign ministry and the leadership of China. The year 2016 kicked off by the inaugural ceremony of China's Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in January, which transformed the international arena and propagated China as leading country in the world, almost all the countries rushed to welcome China's initiative and sought membership. This was a major and one of many achievements for China, which enables China to flex its muscles in exhibiting its soft power. During the same month of January 2016, President Xi made a landmark trip to the Middle East where tensions were brewing and President Xi with his trade deals was able to forge peace through trade.

Bridging gaps, differences and strengthening ties through trade has been the hallmark of President Xi's presidency and more so during the year 2016. China assumed the leadership of the G20 summit for the year 2016 this meant accommodating top-level assemblies, starting with an assembly of Finance Ministers in Shanghai, which was held in February, later with a Foreign Ministers' meeting in the month of September and then lastly the Hangzhou G20 Summit, where China played the role of a gracious global host and lead from the front in proposing for further interconnectedness and openness towards trade, knowledge sharing and developing the world together. 

Ever since the 2008 global financial crisis, the world hasn't fully recovered from its shocks, economic growths in most parts of the world are sluggish and China is among the few countries which have come out of this global crisis strong and unfazed, this fact makes the world view China with affinity and Chinese leadership has answered this in kind with massive trade deals with everyone as this goes in line with China's vision of the "Belt and Road" initiative. 

In 2016 various measures were instigated by the West in disrupting peace with in the South China Sea region but, China has played the role of a mature country by fending such notions with proposals for the resolution of disputes amicably via peaceful negotiations. 

The achievements of 2016 have set the tone for 2017 and at the start of March each year NPC schedules the press conference for Foreign Relations in which the Foreign Minister highlights China's external plans for the year. This year Mr. Wang Yi opened the forum by wishing "all women happiness and good luck" as March 8 is also the international day for women. Mr. Wang Yi at first highlighted the importance of the a coming significant event which is the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation which is going to be held in about two months' time and the significance of this event can be gauged through the fact that, heads of state and government from over 20 countries, the leaders of over 50 international organizations, over 100 ministerial-level officials and around 1,200 delegates from different countries and regions will be participating in the forum. Since the launch of the AIIB last year, China's Belt and Road initiative has gained tremendous momentum and acceptance the world over. Thus it is necessary to hold meetings and keep all stake holders involved; as this plan was initiated by China and because of its global direction all countries have to be on the same page, in order to make the vision a success.

Next Mr. Wang Yi talked about Sino-US relations and he termed the relations as "transitioning steadily and developing in a positive direction." Mr. Wang Yi pointed towards last month's very positive telephonic conversation between President Trump and President Xi and highlighted the importance of the relations between the two of the world's largest economies and stated that. "Preserving and developing the China-US relationship is in the interest of our two peoples and the expectation of the international community."

The foreign minister also highlighted China's stance on the situation on the Korean Peninsula. Mr. Wang Yi very aptly explained the situation by using a metaphor and explained; "On the one hand, the DPRK has ignored international opposition and insisted on advancing its nuclear and missile programs in violation of Security Council resolutions. On the other hand, the US and the ROK are conducting military exercises of an enormous scale and putting more military pressure on the DPRK. The two sides are like two accelerating trains coming towards each other with neither side willing to give way. The question is, are the two sides really ready for a head-on collision?" Mr. Wang Yi further explained China's stance as a country which is directly affected with this situation and expressed that China will continue to do everything in its power to stop the two trains from collision and stated that "talks deserve another chance and peace is still within our grasp."

Mr. Wang Yi also explained that later this year China will host the all-important BRICS Leaders Meeting and stated that the importance of this meeting is just like how President Xi explained the importance of BRICS. "BRICS are like five fingers, each with its own strength; together, we form a fist. United, the BRICS will not lose its luster; rather, it will shine more brightly than ever." 

Regarding Sino-Russia relations Mr. Wang Yi unwaveringly stated, "It is as strong as it's ever been and our mutual trust has reached a historic highs." And regarding a triangular relation between China-US-Russia the foreign minister expressed hope that, "the three countries can develop a positive and healthy relationship, to jointly fulfill the responsibilities for world peace and development."

During the press conference the Foreign Minister reiterated China's stance about the one China policy and stated that, "There is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is part of China. This is a fact recognized by the world and an important principle enshrined in a series of international documents including UN resolutions." Mr. Wang Yi also highlighted China's stance in contributing to the world, where he supported the UN charter and stated, "As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China will fulfill its obligations for international peace and security. As the second largest economy, China will make its due contribution to global growth. As the largest developing country, China will play an even bigger role in upholding the legitimate rights and interests of fellow developing countries."

During the Press conference the Foreign Minister also highlighted the relations with ROK and according to him the people of the ROK and China have strived together to build strong relations but the deployment of THAAD is undermining the relations and he strongly said, "we advise some elements in the ROK not to pursue this course of action, otherwise they will only end up hurting themselves as well as others. China urges the ROK to cease and desist, halt the THAAD deployment and not to go further down the wrong path."

Upon the question regarding Sino-Africa partnership Mr. Wang Yi very positively stated, "China and Africa are a close-knit community with a shared future. Our cooperation is mutual help between two brothers. No matter how the international situation or the world economy may evolve, there will be no weakening in China's support for Africa."

As mentioned earlier in this article that the year 2016 witnessed provocations regarding the South China Sea issue, however according to Mr. Wang Yi the year 2017 has witnessed a lot of calm and he stated, "The temperature has lowered "somewhat" and say that it has lowered "significantly". This is the result of the joint efforts of China and ASEAN countries".

Regarding Sino-EU relations, the Foreign Minister highlighted positive remarks and said, "China will continue to support European integration and we hope to see a more united, stable and prosperous EU." Regarding relations between China and the Philippines Mr. Wang Yi stated that, "Since President Duterte came into office; he has appropriately handled the South China Sea issue and actively improved relations with China. This not only serves the interests of the Philippines, but also meets the expectation of the region." 

The question about Sino-Japan relations has always captivated audiences in China, Japan and the world at large and every year this important question is asked from the foreign ministry to test the waters for the future of the relations between the two nations. This year Mr. Wang Yi responded to the question by highlighting the fact that 2017 marks two anniversaries, firstly the 45th anniversary of normalized relations between China and Japan and secondly the 80th anniversary of the so-called "Marco Polo Bridge Incident." He stated that these two anniversaries entail two distinct courses for relations, "but As for China-Japan relations, China's position has been consistent. We want to improve relations with Japan for the benefit of our two peoples. But first of all, Japan has to adopt the right frame of mind, be sensible and come to terms with the fact of China's development and revitalization."

As mentioned in this article that last year President Xi's Middle East visit brought calm in the situation, but this year again tensions are fermenting and China's role for the future was enquired about. Upon this question Mr. Wang Yi responded that, "three things are of crucial importance. First, maintaining the consensus for fighting terrorism. Second, adhering to the goal; of seeking political settlement of regional issues. And third, we must put the UN in the driver's seat of the Middle East peace process."

Over all the press conference set a very positive tone for 2017 and owing to China's place within the world order as a leading country, the world now has its eyes on China and its stance, thus making this press conference of the utmost importance, as it gives a bird's eye view about China's official stance regarding Chinese foreign relations and it also highlights how tirelessly the staff at the foreign ministry of China works to maintain China's interests globally and domestically and Mr. Wang Yi very appropriately specified China's diplomatic achievements since the 18th Congress of the CPC, by stating that, Chinese diplomats have risen to challenges and broken new ground under the leadership of President Xi and summed up the efforts of the foreign ministry in three words "vision", "initiative" and "consistency" and he reiterated that the ministry will continue to strive with the same dedicated work ethic under the leadership of President Xi after the 19th Congress of the CPC.

The Author:

Shafei Moiz Hali has a master's degree from George Mason University, Virginia, USA in the field of International Commerce and Public Policy. Mr. Hali has been working as an Assistant Professor at the National Defence University (NDU), Islamabad, Pakistan with the department of Government and Public Policy Since 2009. Currently he is pursuing his PhD from the College of Public Administration at the Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), China.