CGTN
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday said that China “deeply regrets that the Ukraine military conflict is still ongoing” and reiterated China’s commitment for “a door to peace.”
Wang made the remarks during a virtual meeting with Josep Borrell, European Union (EU)’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, in Tunxi, east China’s Anhui Province.
China in its own way has been pushing for the cool-down of the situation and hoping to achieve peace at an early date, Wang said, urging a ceasefire and peace talks.
Highlighting that every country has the right to independently determine its own foreign policy, he said that the old way of Cold War mentality and bloc confrontation is no longer viable in Europe.
Severe sanctions will only hurt people, make the situation more complicated and intensify contradictions, he said.
China’s position on the Ukraine issue is clear, he said, stressing the importance of peace, dialogue and negotiation.
“Time will prove that China’s position is responsible and can stand the test of history,” he said, adding that China is ready to work with all parties to accommodate their legitimate concerns and strive for an early resolution of the conflict and restoration of peace in Europe.
Borrell also called for an immediate ceasefire, adding that the ongoing crisis in Ukraine has severely affected the EU and the world.
The EU representative also called for the establishment of humanitarian corridors and urged that weapons of mass destruction not be used.
He said he hopes China will play an important role in pushing the realization of peace in the area.
The Europe does not seek to change Russia’s political system, does not want to see the situation escalate and opposes any form of new Cold War and bloc confrontations, he said.
On EU-China relations, he stressed that the EU remains committed to improving bilateral relations, though the relations currently are facing some specific problems.
He said that the EU remains committed to improving bilateral relations with China and reiterated the EU’s adherence to the one-China principle, noting that the EU as a whole and all member states will not and should not deviate from this position.
The EU and China should enhance mutual understanding with the spirit of friendship and cooperation to push for positive outcomes of high-level exchanges in the next stage, he added.
Wang Yi: Sanctions
not an effective way
to solve problems
Imposition of sanctions is not an effective way to solve problems, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday in a phone call with Swiss President and Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, in which the two officials exchanged views on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
An escalation of sanctions without limitations will not only hamper global economic recovery amid the pandemic, but also expand and complicate the crisis, Wang said.
He said normal international economic and trade exchanges between non-parties to the conflict should not be affected, and the legitimate rights and interests of various countries should be earnestly safeguarded.
Wang noted that the short-term goals of China and Switzerland in dealing with the situation in Ukraine are the same – to achieve a ceasefire and end the conflict as soon as possible and to avoid a humanitarian crisis.
In the long run, all parties should address each other’s legitimate concerns and explore ways to build a balanced, effective and sustainable European security framework, he said.
Noting that China appreciates Switzerland’s repeated commitment to permanent neutrality and its role as a bridge-builder in international affairs, Wang said China expects Switzerland to play its unique role, and it stands ready to strengthen communication and coordination with Switzerland.
Cassis said he agreed that the European security framework should be rebuilt.
It is the largest war that broke out in Europe in more than 70 years, he noted, resulting in the displacement of a large number of civilians and having a serious impact on economic recovery, globalization and multilateralism.
He also said Switzerland believes that diplomacy is the only correct way to deal with it, and it stands for resolving differences through dialogues and negotiations.
Switzerland maintains dialogue with Russia and Ukraine, and it does not support the exclusion of Russia from multilateral institutions, he said, adding Switzerland will continue to uphold its status as a neutral country and provide goodwill services for diplomatic mediation and the promotion of peace talks.
