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US-China relations
ChinaDiplomacy

2023: China’s year to reinforce Russia ties and repair links with Europe, Asia

  • Foreign Minister Wang Yi looks ahead, warning Washington against further efforts to contain and suppress Beijing
  • Wang also defends his country’s position on Ukraine, saying China has sought solutions with Chinese characteristics

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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi says China will stay committed to its fighting spirit in 2023. Photo: Kyodo
Shi Jiangtao
China will deepen its “rock-solid” strategic partnership with Russia, repair its ties with Europe and its Asian neighbours and stay committed to its fighting spirit in 2023, in the face of the US-led “blockade, suppression and provocation”.
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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the pledge on Sunday, as he also indicated Beijing’s intention to loosen its pandemic-related border controls to “facilitate the flow of personnel” and help a global economic recovery.

His remarks, made in a virtual speech to a think-tank event in Beijing, came amid signs of warming ties between China and the United States, Japan, Australia and European powers, following a months-long stand-off over Taiwan, Xinjiang, Hong Kong and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

While agreeing with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is expected to visit Beijing early next year, to keep lines of communications open, China’s top diplomat nonetheless warned against Washington’s containment and suppression of Beijing.

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No change to US’ one-China stand on Taiwan, Blinken tells Wang Yi on G20 sidelines in Rome

No change to US’ one-China stand on Taiwan, Blinken tells Wang Yi on G20 sidelines in Rome

During his detailed review of China’s diplomatic activities over the past year on Sunday, Wang described 2022 as a critical year when Beijing “scored historic achievements” and rose to “challenges of high winds and choppy waters in the global environment”.

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