RETROSPECT AND PROSPECT
People’s Daily: This year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). What is your view of the international situation and China’s diplomacy in 2019?
Wang Yi: The year 2019 is significant in the course of China’s development. The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core led the whole Party and people to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the PRC. A more united, stable and prosperous China is proudly embarking on a new journey toward brighter development. Standing in stark contrast to the effective governance of China is the disorder in many parts of the world. In 2019, quite a number of countries have experienced political and social turmoil. A tug of war between unilateralism and multilateralism is unfolding across the world, and it will determine the future and destiny of humanity.
In 2019, weathering rain and storm, China forged ahead on the diplomatic front. In the face of external interference and provocation, we have stood firm, resisted them head on and never backed down. We have effectively defended our country’s sovereignty, security and development rights and interests, and resolutely upheld the dignity of the country, nation and people.
In the face of volatility in the international situation, we have stayed committed to multilateralism and championed equity and justice. We have steadily developed relations with other major countries, and vigorously advanced mutually beneficial cooperation with neighboring and other developing countries. We have spearheaded global governance and actively mediated in various regional issues.
In the face of the sluggish world economy, we have continued to adhere to the principle of mutually beneficial cooperation, and successfully held the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. At the Second China International Import Expo, which attracted more participants than the first one [in 2018], we announced new, important measures for opening up. In this way, we have made new contributions to building an open world economy.
On the complex international stage, China has become a true pillar of world peace and stability and a key engine for global development and prosperity.
The year 2019 saw close exchanges between Chinese and Russian leaders. What is your comment on the current China-Russia relations?
The year 2019 marked the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Russia. The relationship has broken new ground in a number of areas.
First, there has been a new characterization of our bilateral relationship. President Xi Jinping and President Vladimir Putin, with their vision and political resolve, have upgraded the China-Russia relationship
