At an unprecedented press conference in Beijing, Wang Yi called for peace talks to end the two-year conflict in Ukraine.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that despite the Kremlin's invasion of neighboring Ukraine, China sees itself as a “force for peace” in the world, even as it pursues deeper ties with Russia.
“Even in the face of complex turmoil in the international environment, China will continue to be a force for peace, stability and progress in the world,” Wang told reporters at a press conference in Beijing. Annual meeting of the country's parliament.
Wang, who spoke in Chinese, was also asked about relations between Russia and China, which launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The two countries announced an “unrestricted” partnership shortly before the invasion, after Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Beijing and Chinese President Xi Jinping, who visited Moscow last year, praised a “new era” of cooperation. did.
The foreign minister said close ties between China and Russia were a “strategic choice”, noting that bilateral trade reached a record $240 billion in 2023.
He described the relationship between the two countries as a “new paradigm” in great power relations, adding that “new opportunities” lie ahead.
“Major powers should not seek conflict and should not allow the Cold War to return,” Wang said.
China has positioned itself as a neutral country in the Ukraine war, and on the first anniversary of the conflict, it announced a 12-point peace plan calling for a ceasefire and talks between the two sides.
On Thursday, Wang insisted that China maintains an “objective and impartial position” regarding Ukraine, noted that peace envoy Li Hui is currently in the region, and called for renewed peace talks. I called out.
“Conflicts tend to worsen and expand as they prolong, which can lead to even bigger crises,” Wang said.