EXCHANGES

“At present,China-EU high-level exchanges have maintained a sound momentum,and both sides believe that cooperative partnership is the most important feature of China-EU relations.China has always advanced China-EU relations with a positive attitude,attaches great importance to the China-EU Summit scheduled to be held this year,and expects the meeting to play a strategic leading role in China-EU relations and bilateral cooperation.”

Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi made these remarks during a phone call he had with High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell Fontelles on August 6,2023.

“General Secretary and President Xi Jinping and General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong have jointly drawn a grand blueprint for the China-Vietnam comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in the new era.China stands ready to work with Vietnam to follow through on important common understandings reached by the leaders of the two parties and countries,and promote the building of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future.”

Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu said during a meeting with Vietnamese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu,who was in China to attend China-Vietnam Diplomatic Consultations on August 10.

President Xi Jinping Pays State Visit to South Africa

On August 22,President Xi Jinping held talks with President of South Africa Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa at the Union Buildings in Pretoria during his state visit to the country.The two heads of state conducted an indepth exchange of views on the development of China-South Africa relations in the new era and international and regional issues of mutual interest.They agreed to work together to take the China-South Africa comprehensive strategic partnership to new heights and build a high-quality China-South Africa community with a shared future.

President Xi Jinping noted that it was his fourth visit to South Africa as Chinese President.He said that he has personally experienced the robust growth of China-South Africa relations over the past decade.The key to the strong relationship and profound friendship lies in the mutual support by the two countries and the two political parties in pursuit of their respective development.China is ready to work with South Africa to carry forward the friendship,deepen cooperation,and strengthen coordination.

Xi described mutual benefit and winwin results as the hallmark of China-South Africa cooperation,emphasizing that the two sides should focus on advancing the Belt and Road Initiative,implementing the nine programs on China-Africa cooperation,as well as the 10-Year Strategic Program on Cooperation between the two countries,consolidating cooperation in areas of strength and fostering new growth points for cooperation.

China and South Africa should be friendly partners enjoying mutual understanding,and global partners with a commitment to justice,Xi pointed out.China is ready to work with South Africa and other developing countries to jointly implement the Global Development Initiative,the Global Security Initiative,and the Global Civilization Initiative,practice true multilateralism,increase the representation and voice of the Global South in global governance,bolster coordination on climate change,food security and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,and safeguard the shared interests and development space of developing countries.

President Xi Jinping emphasized that China firmly supports African countries in seeking strength through unity,firmly supports the African Union in joining the G20,and firmly supports Africa in promoting its industrialization and agricultural modernization.

President Ramaphosa noted that China gave South Africa much-needed support in difficult times such as during the COVID-19 pandemic.China is a true friend,brother,and partner of South Africa.South Africa and other countries in the Global South all hope to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with China to better meet challenges together,and promote an international order that is more egalitarian,just and equitable.

Following their talks,President Ramaphosa bestowed on President Xi Jinping the Order of South Africa,the highest medal and honor of South Africa for the heads of state of friendly countries.

Li Qiang Meets with Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili

Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with visiting Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili,who attended the opening ceremony of the 31st summer edition of the FISU World University Games,at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on July 31,2023.

Li Qiang said that China is willing to take the establishment of the China-Georgia strategic partnership as an opportunity to increase strategic communication and cooperation with the country in various areas and thus better benefit the people of both countries.

Li Qiang called on the two sides to focus on the Belt and Road Initiative,make good use of the intergovernmental committee on economic and trade cooperation and other mechanisms,and fully unleash the dividends of the China-Georgia Free Trade Agreement.Li Qiang indicated that both sides should strengthen cooperation in cross-border ecommerce,infrastructure construction,special economic zones,and industrial parks,expand cooperation in emerging areas such as digital economy and green energy,and strengthen cultural,tourism and subnational people-to-people exchanges.

Li Qiang said that China is ready to work with Georgia to implement the Global Development Initiative,the Global Security Initiative,and the Global Civilization Initiative,promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity and make due contribution to world peace and development.

Garibashvili said Georgia attaches great importance to its friendship with China and is committed to strengthening cooperation with China,adding that upgrading bilateral relations to a strategic partnership will benefit the two peoples.

Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong Meets with Wang Yi

On August 11,2023,Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong met with visiting Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Wang Yi said that President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong jointly announced in March this year to upgrade the China-Singapore relationship to an allround high-quality future-oriented partnership,opening up new prospects for high-level mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides.

Wang Yi said that this year marks the centenary of Mr.Lee Kuan Yew’s birth.Singapore has advanced its modernization process with Eastern values and blazed a unique path of successful development.China supports Singapore’s continuous development and prosperity in accordance with the will of its people.

Wang Yi stressed that China has also found a development path that suits its national conditions.China’s development will bring lasting dividends and opportunities to all countries in the world,especially its neighboring countries.

Lee Hsien Loong indicated that the Singaporean side spoke highly of China’s resolve and efforts to advance its modernization drive and will jointly promote Singapore-China cooperation and open a new chapter of bilateral relations.Noting that the world today is not peaceful,Lee Hsien Loong said that the Singaporean side expects major countries to play a leading role and seek mutual benefit and win-win results.Singapore supports deepening ASEAN-China cooperation to jointly safeguard regional peace,stability,and development.

“Today is China’s first National Ecology Day,which is a landmark initiative reflecting the importance of ecological civilization in the new era,our determination in building a beautiful China,China’s active participation in the global environmental and climate governance and our firm commitment to building a community with a shared future for mankind.”

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a regular press conference on August 15,2023.

“We firmly oppose the U.S.slipping negative China-related content into the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).The economic cooperation between China and the U.S.is mutually beneficial and winwin in nature.Arbitrarily placing curbs for normal investment activities in the industrial community and private sectors violates the principle of market economy,disrupts the global industrial and supply chains,and will only end up hurting the U.S.investors.”

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular press conference on July 27,2023.