Wang Yi Delivers a Clear Message to His U.S. Interlocutors

April 5 , 2021 (EIRNS)—Speaking to the press with regard to the large number of meetings he had held with many of the ASEAN foreign ministers in the southern province of Fujian, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was also asked if the China-U.S. relationship had also been a topic of discussion. He answered in the affirmative and proceeded to elaborate on China’s position on the matter. He said that the ministers agreed that China’s development and growth was a historical necessity and conformed to the expectations and the long-term interests of all countries in the region. At the same time they felt that the U.S. and China should have more dialogue and cooperation in the region, and fulfill the obligations of major powers.

Wang Yi then went on: “If there is a dialogue, China’s door is open at any time, but the dialogue should be conducted on an equal basis and with mutual respect. China does not recognize that there is a superior country in the world. And if it does not accept things in the world, does only one country have the final say? If you want to cooperate, China welcomes it, but cooperation needs to take into account each other’s concerns and achieve two-way reciprocity. It cannot unilaterally raise conditions and pull out lists. If there is competition, China will not evade it, but competition should be fair and just and abide by market rules, instead of stumbling or using power to deprive others of their legitimate right to development. If there is still a confrontation, China will deal with it calmly and face it fearlessly. We resolutely resist gross interference in China’s internal affairs, and even more resolutely oppose illegal unilateral sanctions imposed on the basis of lies and false information. China cannot compromise because we adhere to the basic norms of international relations; China cannot retreat because there are many developing and small and medium-sized countries behind us; of course, China has the right to fight back because we must defend national sovereignty and national dignity.”