Wang Yi Speaks with Chilean Foreign Minister Antonia Urrejola Noguera on the Phone

On August 16, 2022, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone conversation with Chilean Foreign Minister Antonia Urrejola Noguera at the latter's request.

Wang Yi said that despite the evolving international situation and government changes, China-Chile relations have been long standing at the forefront of China's relations with Latin American countries, and achieved many "firsts". It deserves to be cherished all the more dearly. President Xi Jinping has maintained strategic communication with President Gabriel Boric Font, charting the course for the development of bilateral relations. China appreciates the fact that Chile puts developing relations with China on top of its diplomatic agenda, and stands ready to work with the Chilean side to leverage the steady and pioneering strengths of bilateral relations to elevate China-Chile comprehensive strategic partnership to new heights.

Wang Yi said that both China and Chile are committed to championing and acting on multilateralism, and both stand for greater democracy in international relations. It is of primary importance to safeguard the UN-centered international system and the international order underpinned by international law. Efforts should be made to defend the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, especially the principles of respecting the sovereignty of all countries and opposing gross interference in other countries' internal affairs. It is also important to continuously strengthen and improve global governance, and implement the Global Development Initiative (GDI) and the Global Security Initiative (GSI), foster international synergy to address global challenges, and jointly advance the cause of world peace and development.

Urrejola said Chile is proud to be the first South American country to establish diplomatic relations and sign a free trade agreement with China. China is not only Chile's largest trading partner and export destination, but also a comprehensive strategic partner for cooperation in a wide range of areas. Chile strictly abides by the one-China policy, which is the political bedrock for Chile-China relations. Under the current situation, it is of special significance for countries to respect international law and the UN Charter and uphold multilateralism. Chile welcomes the GDI and the GSI put forward by President Xi Jinping, and supports China's accession to the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement.

The two sides expressed readiness to maintain high-level exchanges, advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation to set a good example of jointly building the green Silk Road, the digital Silk Road and the health Silk Road, and explore new space for cooperation in trade in services, digital economy, smart cities, 5G and clean energy.

Both sides expressed satisfaction with the remarkable achievements in bilateral economic and trade cooperation, noting that China and Chile will work together to safeguard the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core, and provide a sound business environment for respective enterprises to invest and do business in each other's country.

The two sides will continue strengthening cooperation on pandemic response and carry out joint vaccine production and drug research and development. Urrejola spoke highly of China's vaccine assistance to Chile and its help with the country's effort to achieve localized production of vaccines at an early date.

The two sides will hold a new round of dialogue on human rights via video link. Wang Yi said that China is ready to conduct human rights dialogue and cooperation with other countries on the basis of equality and mutual respect, and will work with Chile to jointly promote the sound and steady development of the international human rights cause.