Wang Yi Holds a Virtual Meeting with Estonian Foreign Minister Eva-Maria Liimets at Request

On January 17, 2022, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a virtual meeting with Estonian Foreign Minister Eva-Maria Liimets at the latter's request.

Wang Yi said, since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Estonia more than 30 years ago, bilateral relations have developed in a balanced and sound manner, bringing benefits to the two peoples. Facing the challenges of the pandemic, the two countries rooted for each other and joined hands in the fight against the pandemic, adding new dimensions to the China-Estonia friendship. Last year, the pragmatic cooperation between the two countries overcame the impact of the pandemic and made new progress, showing robust vitality.

Wang Yi said, the experience of China-Estonia exchanges fully shows that as long as the two countries respect each other and treat each other as equals, both sides can achieve win-win outcomes. Looking ahead to a new 30-year period in bilateral relations, both sides should continue to attach importance to each other's legitimate concerns in core interests, abide by non-interference in internal affairs, which is a norm governing international relations, and safeguard the political foundation of bilateral relations. China is willing to strengthen communication with Estonia to push for the steady and long-term development of bilateral relations. The two sides should expand cooperation in fields such as agricultural food products, e-commerce and digital economy. China will stay committed to the policy of opening up, welcome Estonian enterprises' investment in China, and share China's development opportunities. China also hopes that Estonia will provide a non-discriminatory business environment with a level-playing field for Chinese enterprises.

Liimets said, Estonia attaches great importance to Estonia-China relations and positively evaluates the stable development of bilateral relations. The Estonian side will continue to firmly pursue the one-China principle and is willing to enhance mutual trust and jointly promote stronger development of bilateral relations. Estonia appreciates the fruitful and effective cooperation between the two sides when Estonia served as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the first time, and stands ready to continue to maintain close communication and coordination with China to make joint contributions to global peace and development. The Estonian side supports China in hosting a successful Beijing Olympic Winter Games, participates in co-sponsoring the Olympic Truce resolution, and believes that the Winter Olympics will be a complete success.

Wang Yi stressed, China always maintains that all countries, big or small, strong or weak, rich or poor, are equal members of the international community. No country is superior to others, and countries should respect each other and treat each other as equals. China always advocates multilateralism, opposes unilateral acts and supports efforts to promote greater democracy in international relations. International affairs should be run by all countries in the world through joint consultation, not dictated by one or two countries, still less a return to the law of the jungle. China always stands for giving play to the central role of the United Nations, upholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, safeguarding the basic norms governing international relations such as defending and respecting national sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs, and settlement of disputes through dialogue. We are willing to work with Estonia to inject more stabilizing factors into the international environment fraught with uncertainties and instabilities.

The two sides exchanged views on China-EU relations. Wang Yi said, China and the EU are partners rather than rivals. The different systems between the two sides stem from respective historical and cultural traditions and the choices made by the people. Systemic differences do not mean confrontation, and both sides can learn from each other and improve together on the basis of mutual respect. China always supports the EU's development and growth, European integration, the EU's greater role in the international arena, and its enhanced strategic autonomy. Liimets said, Estonia supports EU-China friendship and cooperation, and believes that good EU-China relations are also conducive to promoting bilateral relations between EU member states and China.

Both sides agreed to continue to maintain communication, hold diplomatic and political consultations between the two countries at an appropriate time, and speed up the process of signing the protocol on the export of Estonian dairy products and wild aquatic products to China.

The two sides also exchanged views on green and digital cooperation, and agreed to strengthen international cooperation to jointly address global challenges such as climate change, and stay committed to building a secure, open and cooperative cyberspace.