Mongolia
Premier Li Keqiang had a phone conversation with Mongolian Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene on Wednesday. China’s Head of the National Development and Reform Commission, He Lifeng, was also present at the talks. Li said that Beijing is willing to deepen cooperation with Ulaanbataar, especially in pandemic prevention and control. The official also stressed that both sides should strive to restore the volume of cargo traversing through border ports and ensure the smooth progress of major projects. The Chinese side further affirmed its willingness to cooperate with Mongolia in environmental protection, and desertification prevention and control.
In response, Oyun-Erdene said that Mongolia supports regional economic cooperation and green development and is willing to work with China “to strengthen the synergy of development strategies” and deepen cooperation in border trade, environmental protection, and in the fight against the pandemic. He also expressed interest in advancing bilateral cooperation to enrich the Mongolia-China comprehensive strategic partnership.
Germany
On Wednesday, President Xi Jinping had a phone conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Xi noted that China was Germany’s largest global trading partner for the fifth consecutive year, which demonstrates “the resilience and potential of bilateral cooperation”. The leader expressed hope that Germany would “remain open and create more convenience” for Chinese enterprises in order to expand mutually beneficial cooperation. He also said that both sides should take the 50th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations next year and the Beijing Winter Olympics as an opportunity to promote exchanges in science and technology, education, culture, and sports. Xi further asserted that China opposes the politicisation of vaccines or “vaccine nationalism”, and is ready to work with Germany and the international community to promote fair and reasonable vaccine distribution.
In response, Merkel said that strengthening European Union (EU)-China dialogue and cooperation is in the interest of both sides, and also beneficial to the world. She expressed Germany’s willingness to play a positive role in that regard. Merkel also said that Berlin attaches importance to Beijing’s 14th Five-Year Plan, and expects the proposal “to bring new and important opportunities for Germany-China and EU-China cooperation”.
Last month, the EU imposed its first significant sanctions against some Chinese officials since 1989 over alleged human rights abuses in China’s Xinjiang province. Beijing denied the accusations and retaliated by blacklisting some EU lawmakers and entities.
Indonesia
On Tuesday, President Xi Jinping conveyed his condolences to Indonesian President Joko Widodo over the floods and landslides in Indonesia. Xi said that he was shocked to learn about the natural disasters in Indonesia, which have resulted in over 150 causalities. The President extended “sincere sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured” on behalf of the Chinese people. The torrential rains from Tropical Cyclone Seroja have sent about 10,000 people fleeing to safe havens and shelters across neighbouring Southeast Asian nations.
Spain
On Tuesday, the Director-General of the Policy Planning Department of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Liu Jinsong, met with the Spanish Ambassador to China Rafael Dezcallar de Mazarredo. The two sides held an in-depth exchange of views on their respective foreign policies and international and regional issues. No further details were released regarding the details of their conversation.
Japan
State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a phone conversation with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi on Monday. Wang expressed hope that Japan “will look at China’s development in an objective and rational way, instead of being misled by some countries holding biased view against China.” The top diplomat reminded Japan that even though it has a formal alliance with the United States (US), it has also signed the Japan-China Treaty of Peace and Friendship, which makes it obligated to fulfil the treaty.
Motegi, for his part, assured Wang that the Japan-US alliance “does not target any specific third party” and that Japan “attaches great importance to its relations with China” and also “remains committed to ensuring the steady development of Japan-China relations.”
Wang also elaborated on China’s position on the Diaoyu Islands and the South China Sea and expressed opposition to Japan’s interference in China’s internal affairs involving Xinjiang and Hong Kong. He urged Tokyo to respect China’s internal affairs and refrain from interfering in them. Further, both diplomats also exchanged views on climate change and the situation in Myanmar.
Vietnam
On Monday, President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to Nguyen Xuan Phuc on his appointment as Vietnamese president. On the same day, Premier Li Keqiang sent a congratulatory message to Pham Minh Chinh on his appointment as the new Vietnamese prime minister. The Chinese side said that China and Vietnam are socialist neighbours who have made major achievements together in the COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control.
South Korea
On Saturday, Wang Yi held talks with the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea (ROK), Chung Eui-yong, in Xiamen City, which lies in the Fujian Province. Wang noted that this year is the China-ROK Year of Cultural Exchanges, and that next year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, which provides “an important opportunity” for further development.
China said that it is willing to work with South Korea to advance the political settlement of the Korean Peninsula issue through dialogue based on international law. The two also countries agreed to focus on strengthening cooperation in such fields as 5G, big data, green economy, artificial intelligence, integrated circuits, new energy, and healthcare.
Chinese Diplomacy: Weekly Round-Up (3-9 April, 2021)
Last week, Chinese diplomats held meetings with officials from South Korea, Vietnam, Japan, Indonesia, Spain, Germany, and Mongolia.
April 9, 2021
SOURCE: THE FINANCIAL TIMES