Wang Yi Speaks with Dutch Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra on the Phone

On March 15, 2022, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone conversation with Dutch Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra at the latter's request. The two sides mainly exchanged views on the current situation in Ukraine.

Wang Yi said, China's position on the Ukraine issue is consistent and in the open. The "four musts" emphasized by President Xi Jinping are our clearest and most authoritative attitude. All measures taken by China are based on the "four musts". As a peace-loving country, China has always stayed committed to settling disputes peacefully through political means. China is willing to work with EU countries, including the Netherlands, to play constructive roles in resolving the Ukraine crisis.

Wang Yi pointed out, the international community generally hopes that a ceasefire can be reached as soon as possible to ease the ground situation and avoid civilian casualties. This is also what China expects. Russia and Ukraine have thus far held four rounds of negotiations. Despite the slow progress, there is still hope for reaching a ceasefire and opening up a future of peace if both sides carry on the negotiations. China will continue to make efforts to promote peace talks in its own way. At present, the escalating sanctions imposed by the United States and Europe on Russia have made the world economy, which is undergoing a shaky recovery, worse off again, and the people's wellbeing in all countries has also suffered undue damage. China hopes all parties can do more things that are conducive to promoting peace talks, instead of the opposite.

Wang Yi pointed out, at present, the pressing task of the international community is to cope with a possible large-scale humanitarian crisis. China has put forward a six-point initiative to alleviate the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, and has taken concrete actions. The first batch of emergency humanitarian assistance supplies have arrived and were distributed, and new assistance will be provided in succession according to the needs in the future.

Wang Yi said, behind the Ukraine crisis is European security. How to maintain European security in the future concerns the vital interests of European countries, including the Netherlands. The conflict will eventually end. China hopes European countries can sit down with Russia to have an in-depth and comprehensive dialogue to discuss building a balanced, effective and sustainable European security mechanism, so as to achieve long-term peace and stability in Europe.

Hoekstra appreciated China's humanitarian assistance to help Ukrainian refugees. He said that dialogue and negotiation are the most important way to resolve conflicts and confrontations. He hopes that China will continue to play an active role in this regard. Under the current circumstances, all countries should respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries and abide by the basic norms governing international relations. Wang Yi said, this is precisely the traditional position that China has always adhered to, and China hopes that the Netherlands can make actions match its words on China's Taiwan question, instead of applying double standards.

The two sides also exchanged views on China-Netherlands relations.

Wang Yi said, this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level between China and the Netherlands, and China hopes to take this opportunity to promote the continuous development of the open and pragmatic partnership for comprehensive cooperation between China and the Netherlands, and make positive contributions to international and regional peace and stability.

Hoekstra agreed with this and stressed that the Netherlands is willing to strengthen communication and exchanges with China, successfully host a series of celebration events marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, and elevate bilateral ties to new heights.