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“China views New Zealand as an important cooperative partner on the Chinese path to modernization.China stands ready to work with New Zealand to enhance mutual trust,strengthen cooperation,properly handle differences,and continuously elevate the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries to new heights.”

Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu made these remarks when holding the China-New Zealand foreign policy consultations with New Zealand’s Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade Chris Seed in Beijing on June 6,2023.

“The Belt and Road lnitiative and Global Development lnitiative proposed by China are highly compatible with the No Country Left Behind initiative advocated by the lnternational Civil Aviation Organization (lCAO).China welcomes lCAO’s active participation in relevant initiatives to bring into full play the strategic leading role of the civil aviation industry,and to inject confidence and strength into the efforts to revitalize global development and advance the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang said when meeting with Secretary General of the lnternational Civil Aviation Organization Juan Carlos Salazar in Beijing on June 6,2023.

Xi Jinping Holds Talks with Honduran President

Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with visiting President of the Republic of Honduras Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento in Beijing on June 12.

Xi Jinping pointed out that President Xiomara Castro is the first Honduran president to pay a state visit to China and her visit opens a new chapter in the annals of the China-Honduras relationship.Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in March,the bilateral relationship has got off to a good and speedy start and enjoys great dynamism and promise.

Xi congratulated President Xiomara Castro,the first female president of Honduras,on rallying her people on an independent path toward new achievements in national development,and commended her unwavering political will as evidenced by the historic decision she made to fulfill her campaign promise of establishing diplomatic relations with China.

Xi also spoke highly of the active role that Castro’s husband,former President Manuel Zelaya,played in this regard,adding that their contribution to the China-Honduras relationship will go down in history.

Xi Jinping said that China will remain committed to developing friendly relations with Honduras,firmly support economic and social development in Honduras,and forge a good friendship and partnership with Honduras featuring mutual respect,equality,mutual benefit,and common development.He pledged to work with Honduras to steer the bilateral relationship toward greater development from a strategic and long-term perspective and to turn their vision of cooperation into tangible results for the greater benefit of the two peoples.He believes that under joint efforts from the two sides,the China-Honduras relationship will experience sound and steady development,sailing toward a bright future.

Xi Jinping stressed that the two countries should follow the right direction and deepen political mutual trust.The one-China principle was the primary prerequisite and political foundation for the establishment of diplomatic ties and the development of bilateral relations between China and Honduras,and it is believed that Honduras will act faithfully upon it.China is willing to work with Honduras to strengthen collaboration on multilateral fronts,jointly safeguard international order and the basic norms governing international relations,enhance solidarity among developing countries,and safeguard the common interests of developing countries and international fairness and justice.

Castro pointed out that establishing diplomatic relations with China is a historic decision made by the Honduran government.Honduras firmly supports and abides by the one-China principle,as well as efforts by the Chinese government to realize national reunification.

Castro said the Honduran side firmly believes that friendly cooperation with China will bring Honduras more and better development opportunities,and the country looks forward to strengthening cooperation with China in such areas as trade,investment,infrastructure,telecommunication,energy,science and technology,and people-to-people exchanges.She believes that the bilateral friendship will withstand the test of time and continue to produce new results.

President Xi Jinping Meets with U.S.Secretary of State Antony Blinken

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with U.S.Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on June 19.

Noting that the world is developing and the times are changing,Xi said the world needs a generally stable China-U.S.relationship,and whether the two countries can find the right way to get along bears on the future and destiny of humanity.

Xi pointed out that the common interests of the two countries should be valued,and their respective success is an opportunity instead of a threat to each other.

Xi stressed that China respects U.S.interests and does not seek to challenge or displace the United States,and in the same vein,the United States needs to respect China and must not hurt China’s legitimate rights and interests.“Neither side should try to shape the other side by its own will,still less deprive the other side of its legitimate right to development.”

Xi said China always hopes to see a sound and steady China-U.S.relationship and believes that the two major countries can overcome various difficulties and find the right way to get along based on mutual respect,peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation,calling on the U.S.side to adopt a rational and pragmatic attitude and work with China in the same direction.

Xi pointed out that the two sides need to remain committed to the common understandings he and President Biden reached in Bali,and translate the positive statements into actions so as to stabilize and improve China-U.S.relations.

For his part,Blinken conveyed President Biden’s greetings to President Xi.He said President Biden believes that the United States and China have an obligation to responsibly manage their relations,adding that this is in the interests of the United States,China and the world.

The United States is committed to returning to the agenda set by the two presidents in Bali,Blinken said,adding that the United States stands by the commitments made by President Biden,namely that the United States does not seek a new Cold War,it does not seek to change China’s system,its alliances are not directed at China,it does not support “Taiwan independence,” and it does not seek conflict with China.

The U.S.side looks forward to having high-level engagement with the Chinese side,keeping open lines of communication,responsibly managing differences,and pursuing dialogue,exchanges and cooperation,he added.

Qin Gang Has a Phone Call with South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation

On June 6,2023,State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang had a telephonic conversation with South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor.

Qin said that China is ready to work with South Africa to turn the high-level political mutual trust between the two countries into concrete actions and promote the continued development of the China-South Africa comprehensive strategic partnership.

Qin said that China will continue to support South Africa’s BRICS chairmanship and its effort to host a successful BRICS Summit,strengthen solidarity and cooperation among BRICS countries,and jointly safeguard the interests of developing countries.

Pandor said South Africa attaches great importance to developing relations with China,and stands ready to work with China to deepen practical cooperation in various fields.South Africa is ready to further strengthen coordination and cooperation with China within the BRICS and other multilateral frameworks.

“lt’s not up to the U.S.to decide whether China is a developing country.The U.S.can neither deny the fact that China is still a developing country,nor stop China from moving towards national rejuvenation.Rather than try to figure out how to pin the label of “developed country” on China,the U.S.might want to think about how to remove its own label of a bully and hegemon.”

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin indicated at a regular press conference on June 9,2023.

“The safety and security issue of the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant is just part of the Ukraine crisis and its settlement ultimately depends on the prospects of the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis itself.All parties should bear in mind the larger picture of peace and common security,work together to create enabling conditions for resuming talks and properly resolving relevant issues,including the safety and security of the nuclear power plant.Countries with important influence should do more to play a responsible and constructive role rather than adding fuel to the fire.China will remain committed to promoting talks for peace and playing a constructive role in seeking a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis.”

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular press conference on June 2,2023.