Wang Yi Talks about China's Five-Pronged Perseverance on Ukraine Issue

On March 31, 2022, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi chaired the Third Foreign Ministers' Meeting on the Afghan Issue Among the Neighboring Countries of Afghanistan and the First "Neighboring Countries of Afghanistan Plus Afghanistan" Foreign Ministers' Dialogue in Tunxi, Anhui Province. After the meetings, Wang Yi held a press conference to introduce the important consensus and achievements of the meetings, and answered questions from reporters.

In response to a reporter's question about what role China plays on the Ukraine issue, Wang Yi said that in recent days, I have had intensive and in-depth exchanges with foreign ministers of each country on the Ukraine issue. All parties expressed understanding of China's position and made positive comments on China's role. Our position is consistent. In dealing with all hotspot issues, China stands on the side of peace, dialogue and justice. Our attitude is also clear. China strives to play a responsible and constructive role in addressing all challenges.

Wang Yi said that since the outbreak of the Ukraine crisis, China has stood on the merits, adhered to independence and abided by objectivity and impartiality. President Xi Jinping put forward the "four musts" and clearly stated China's authoritative position on the Ukraine issue. China has put forward a five-point position and a six-point initiative on easing the humanitarian crisis, making China's voice for and contributing China's wisdom to resolving the crisis and easing tensions. China's role is mainly reflected in five-pronged perseverance.

First, we persevere in promoting peace talks in the right direction. We hold that dialogue and negotiation are the only way out, oppose adding fuel to the fire and intensifying confrontation, call for achieving a ceasefire and ending the conflict, and support Russia and Ukraine in carrying out direct dialogue.

Second, we persevere in upholding the basic norms governing international relations. We advocate respect for the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, and oppose putting small and medium-sized countries on the front line of geopolitical games.

Third, we persevere in preventing the resurgence of the Cold War mentality. We do not agree with the "friend-or-foe" camp confrontation, firmly promote international solidarity, advocate the vision of common, cooperative, comprehensive and sustainable security, and respect and accommodate the legitimate and reasonable concerns of all parties.

Fourth, we persevere in upholding the legitimate rights and interests of all countries. We oppose unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law and call for safeguarding the international industrial and supply chains to avoid harming normal economic and trade exchanges and people's lives.

Fifth, we persevere in consolidating peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. We firmly uphold the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness in our neighborhood diplomacy, guard against the introduction of bloc confrontation into the region by the United States through the "Indo-Pacific strategy", accelerate the promotion of regional integration and cooperation, and guard the hard-won development momentum in the region.

Wang Yi stressed that as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China will continue to work with the international community, in accordance with the wishes of the parties concerned and taking into account the needs of the development of the situation, to continue to play a constructive role in promoting peace talks and safeguarding peace.