Xi Wants Thrift & Diligence in Military Building - Analysing Wang Yi's Press Conference
Here are the reports on articles that I found worth reading in the People’s Daily on Saturday, March 08, 2025.
Page 1: The lead story on the page today is about Xi Jinping’s remarks when meeting with the PLA and PAP’s delegation. Xi called for reaching a successful conclusion of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for military development. He also talked about the importance of the centennial goal. He said that it is essential “to strengthen confidence, face challenges head-on, and implement the requirements for high-quality development to achieve the established goals and tasks on schedule.”
Six delegates spoke at the session. They covered themes like:
coordination of weapon and equipment testing and certification resources
innovation in planning implementation management
improving the efficiency of fund usage management
strengthening military-industrial production capacity guarantees
advancing the construction of national defense position engineering
making good use of resources in emerging fields
会上，周刚、李东、丰艳、郑元林、崔道虎、刘树伟等6位代表先后发言，分别就统筹武器装备试验鉴定资源、创新规划执行管理、提高经费使用管理效益、加强军工产能保障、推进国防阵地工程建设、用好新兴领域资源等提出意见建议.
Xi spoke after this. But before I get to his remarks, let me say that I read them as quite sharp rebuke of the Chinese military. The defense budget has gone up 7.2% again this year. But clearly the spending has not yielded satisfactory outcomes for the leadership. The remark about diligence and thrift is quite telling. Likewise, Xi’s stress on dealing with corruption and tightening supervision to ensure final quality, capability, and integrity of the execution of plans are indicative of unease in terms of the achievements of the modernisation agenda.
Xi Jinping pointed out that it is necessary to expedite the resolution of bottlenecks and obstacles in planning implementation, strengthen cross-departmental, cross-domain, and cross-military-civilian coordination, strengthen policy application and supply, enhance the consistency of policy orientation and work direction, and make every effort to ensure the smooth execution of planning. It is necessary to skillfully use modern management concepts, methods, and means, continuously improve strategic management systems and mechanisms, and enhance the systematic, holistic, and collaborative nature of planning implementation. It is necessary to adhere to diligence and thrift in military building, scientifically allocate the direction and quantity of national defense resource investment, and improve the precision and cost-effectiveness ratio of fund usage. 习近平指出，要加紧解决规划执行中的堵点卡点问题，强化跨部门跨领域跨军地统筹，强化政策运用和供给，增强政策取向和工作指向一致性，全力畅通规划执行链路。要善于运用现代管理理念和方法手段，持续完善战略管理制度机制，增强规划执行的系统性、整体性、协同性。要坚持勤俭建军，科学配置国防资源投向投量，提高经费使用精准度和效费比.
Xi Jinping pointed out that the completion of the 14th Five-Year Plan goals and tasks for our military construction cannot be separated from the support of the national economic and social development system. It is necessary to strengthen military-civilian joint efforts, make good use of local advantages and resources, and improve the quality and effectiveness of our military construction. It is necessary to seize the opportunity of the vigorous development of new quality productive forces in our country, innovate combat capability construction and application models, improve the agile response and rapid transformation mechanisms of advanced technology, and accelerate the development of new quality combat capability. 习近平指出，完成我军建设“十四五”规划目标任务，离不开国家经济社会发展大体系支撑。要强化军地合力，用好地方优势力量和资源，提高我军建设质量和效益。要抓住我国新质生产力蓬勃发展机遇，创新战斗力建设和运用模式，健全先进技术敏捷响应和快速转化机制，加快发展新质战斗力.
“Xi Jinping emphasized that it is necessary to conduct professional evaluations throughout the entire planning execution process, to evaluate development quality, construction benefits, and system combat capabilities. Supervision must be placed in a more prominent position, constructing a complete and effective regulatory system, strengthening integrated supervision and joint auditing, and thoroughly investigating corruption issues. It is necessary to better utilise the service and promotion functions of supervision for planning implementation, ensuring that the final quality, capability, and integrity of the plan are guaranteed.” 习近平强调，要开展规划执行全过程专业化评估，评出发展质量、评出建设效益、评出体系作战能力。要把监管摆在更加突出的位置，构建完备有效的监管体系，加强融合监督、联合审计，深入查处腐败问题。要更好发挥监管对规划执行的服务和促进功能，确保规划收官质量托底、能力托底、廉洁托底.
Zhang Youxia, He Weidong, Liu Zhenli, and Zhang Shengmin attended the meeting.
Also on the page is a report on Wang Huning and Ding Xuexiang attending meetings of the Taiwan and HK and Macao delegations, respectively.
Wang said that “it is necessary to thoroughly study and understand General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important discourse on Taiwan-related work and the Party’s overall strategy for resolving the Taiwan issue in the new era, firmly grasp the dominant position and initiative in cross-strait relations, shape the inevitable trend of national reunification, and unswervingly advance the great cause of national reunification. It is necessary to adhere to the One China principle and the ‘1992 Consensus’, and firmly oppose ‘Taiwan independence’ separatism and interference by external forces. It is necessary to be committed to expanding cross-strait exchanges and cooperation, promote deep and substantive integration of cross-strait development, and allow Taiwan compatriots to share in the opportunities and achievements of Chinese-style modernisation.” 要深入学习领会习近平总书记关于对台工作的重要论述和新时代党解决台湾问题的总体方略，牢牢把握两岸关系主导权和主动权，塑造祖国必然统一大势，坚定不移推进祖国统一大业。要坚持一个中国原则和“九二共识”，坚决反对“台独”分裂和外部势力干涉。要致力扩大两岸交流合作，推动两岸融合发展走深走实，让台湾同胞共享中国式现代化机遇和成果.
While meeting the Hong Kong delegation, Ding Xuexiang pointed out that Hong Kong is accelerating the process of governance and prosperity. It must more firmly safeguard national security, concentrate on boosting the economy, planning development, and promoting development, consolidate its position as an international financial, shipping, and trading center, maintain a free, open, and regulated business environment, and accelerate the cultivation of new industries and new tracks with international competitiveness. While meeting the Macao delegation, Ding Xuexiang pointed out that this year is a key year for the new Macao SAR government to start its work. It needs to further improve the institutional mechanisms for safeguarding national security, promote Macao’s moderately diversified economic development, do well with the major task of’ ‘Macao + Hengqin’, extensively expand international connections, and build a higher-level platform for opening to the outside world.” 在香港代表团，丁薛祥指出，香港正在加快推进由治及兴，要更加坚定维护国家安全，集中精力拼经济、谋发展、搞建设，巩固国际金融、航运、贸易中心地位，维护自由开放规范的营商环境，加快培育具有国际竞争力的新产业、新赛道。在澳门代表团，丁薛祥指出，今年是新一届澳门特区政府开局起步的关键一年，要进一步完善维护国家安全的制度机制，推动澳门经济适度多元发展，做好“澳门+横琴”这篇大文章，广泛拓展国际联系，打造更高水平对外开放平台.
Another report covers Cai Qi’s remarks at the meeting of the Qinghai delegation. Among other things, he said that:
“The Government Work Report delivered by Premier Li Qiang fully reflects Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the decision-making and deployment of the Party Central Committee; it reflects the requirements of high-quality development, boosts confidence and inspires people to forge ahead; he fully agrees with this report.” 蔡奇表示，李强总理所作的政府工作报告，充分体现了习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想和党中央决策部署，体现了高质量发展要求，提振信心、催人奋进，完全赞成这个报告.
Cai also praised Xi’s leadership for China’s economic development, calling on everyone to deeply understand the decisive significance of the Two Establishments, resolutely implement the Two Safeguards, and always maintain a high degree of consistency with the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core in terms of ideology, politics and actions. 我们要深刻领悟“两个确立”的决定性意义，坚决做到“两个维护”，始终在思想上政治上行动上同以习近平同志为核心的党中央保持高度一致.
For the future, he stressed on the “focus on promoting high-quality development, adhere to the principle of seeking progress while maintaining stability, and utilise progress to promote stability, further comprehensive deepening of reform as a driving force to promote the effective improvement of economic quality and reasonable growth in quantity.” He called on everyone to “grasp the correct direction of development in the next five years and serve the 15th Five-Year Plan well.” 要聚焦推动高质量发展，坚持稳中求进、以进促稳，以进一步全面深化改革为动力，推动经济实现质的有效提升和量的合理增长。把握未来五年发展的正确方向，把“十五五”盘子端好。
Page 3: The entire page is dedicated to Wang Yi’s press conference (full English text). A few observations:
Wang’s comments are obviously very critical of US policy; one can contrast these with how Russian officials and analysts are talking about the Trump administration’s policies.
I thought Wang’s attack of the Philippines was particularly sharp. “Philippine moves to create frictions are like a ‘shadow play’, which is a vivid analogy. For every move on the sea by the Philippines, there is a screenplay written by external forces, the show is livestreamed by Western media, and the plot is invariably to smear China”. This, of course, is a poor excuse for and does not deny Chinese aggressive actions in the sea.
Wang’s warnings to Japan, particularly on Taiwan, were pointed too.
It was also interesting that Wang pushed back against US policy in Latin America. He criticised any revival of the Monroe Doctrine and stressed on China’s desire to remain a key player in the region.
Beijing wants the BRICS to expand. Wang called the group the “backbone of cooperation and an engine of growth in the Global South.” He also confirmed that the SCO Summit will be held in Tianjin in autumn.
On the talks regarding the Ukraine war, the idiom that Wang used is noteworthy. Beijing doesn’t seem to believe that anything’s changing in a rush.
On India, he talked about the need for closer cooperation in light of the global churn. I’ll be doing a deeper dive into this in an upcoming column. Will share more thoughts there.
Anyway, let’s now get to breaking down Wang’s press conference:
First, speaking about the importance of head of state diplomacy, Wang said:
In 2024, “China’s relations with the world have thus undergone positive and profound changes. First, China’s foreign policies, especially those important concepts and initiatives proposed by President Xi, are increasingly welcomed and supported by the international community. Second, China’s positive role in addressing global challenges and resolving burning and tough issues is more and more expected and commended by countries across the world. Third, the success of the Chinese path to modernization and the inspiration it offers are increasingly recognized and emulated by more and more countries.” In terms of key events this year, he said that “We will solemnly commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, and hold a series of major events including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit.”
On China-Russia ties, he said:
“No matter how the international landscape evolves, the historical logic of China-Russia friendship will not change and its internal driving force will not diminish. Based on deep reflections on historical experience, China and Russia have decided to forge everlasting good-neighborliness and friendship, conduct comprehensive strategic coordination, and pursue mutual benefit, cooperation and win-win, because this best serves the fundamental interests of the two peoples and conforms to the trend of our times. The two countries have found a path of ‘non-alliance, non-confrontation and not targeting any third party’ in developing their relations. It is a pioneering effort in forging a new model of major-country relations, and has set a fine example for relations between neighboring countries. A mature, resilient and stable China-Russia relationship will not be swayed by any turn of events, let alone be subject to interference by any third party. It is a constant in a turbulent world rather than a variable in geopolitical games.”
On China’s diplomacy going forward, he said that in the world today, “certainty is becoming a scarce resource”. “China’s diplomacy will stand firm on the right side of history and on the side of human progress. We will provide certainty to this uncertain world.”
He added:
“We will be a staunch force defending our national interests. The Chinese people have a glorious tradition of relentlessly seeking self-renewal. We never provoke, and we are not intimidated by provocations. No maximum pressure, threat or blackmail can undermine the unity of the 1.4 billion Chinese people or stop our historic strides toward the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. We will be a just and righteous force for world peace and stability. We will continue to expand our global partnerships featuring equality, openness and cooperation, actively use the Chinese approach in resolving hot-spot issues, and write a new chapter of the Global South seeking strength through unity. We will prove with facts that the path of peaceful development is bright and can ensure stable and sustainable progress, and that it should be the choice of all countries. We will be a progressive force for international fairness and justice. We will uphold true multilateralism, and bear in mind the future of humanity and the well-being of the people. We will promote global governance that is based on extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefit. We will observe the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter, and build more consensus for an equal and orderly multipolar world. We will be a constructive force for common development of the world. We will continue to expand high-standard opening up, and share the vast opportunities of Chinese modernization with all countries. We will safeguard the multilateral free trade system, foster an open, inclusive and non-discriminatory environment for international cooperation, and advance a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.”
On changing US policy, Wang was very critical:
“There are more than 190 countries in the world. Should everyone stress ‘my country first’ and obsess over a position of strength, the law of the jungle would reign the world again. Smaller and weaker countries would bear the brunt first, and international norms and order would take a body blow…New China stands firm on the side of international justice, and resolutely opposes power politics and hegemony. History should move forward, not backward. A big country should honor its international obligations and fulfill its due responsibilities. It should not put selfish interests before principles, still less wield its power to bully the weak. A saying in the West goes, ‘There are no eternal friends, only permanent interests’. But we in China believe that friends should be permanent and we should pursue common interests.”
He then pitched the idea of “building a community with a shared future for mankind” and BRI, GDI, GSI and GCI.
On the Global South, Wang said that:
“Accounting for over 40 percent of global GDP and contributing as high as 80 percent of global growth, the Global South is a key force for maintaining world peace, driving world development, and improving global governance…The Global South should strengthen themselves. Since the beginning of the year, Indonesia has become a full member of BRICS, and nine partner countries have joined the BRICS family. BRICS is emerging as a backbone of cooperation and an engine of growth in the Global South. The greater BRICS should be made bigger and stronger to give more momentum to the development of the Global South. The Global South should stand together in unity. This year, China will host the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, Brazil the BRICS summit, and South Africa the G20 summit. We should speak in one voice to the world, safeguard our common interests, and steadily increase our representation and voice in global governance. The Global South should strive for development. Last November, President Xi Jinping announced eight actions China would take in support of global development, generating new energy for faster Global South development. We should keep development as a central international agenda item, build up the momentum, enhance our capacity, and advance hand in hand toward modernization. China is naturally a member of the Global South, because we have fought colonialism and hegemonism together in history and we are committed to the common goal of development and revitalization. No matter how the world changes, our heart will always be with the Global South, and our root will grow deeper in the Global South. China will work with all Global South countries to add a new chapter to the annals of the history of the world.”
On the Ukraine war, he said:
“China welcomes and supports all efforts for peace. At the same time, it is also important to see the complexity of the causes of the crisis. As a Chinese proverb puts it, it takes more than one cold day to freeze three feet of ice. Likewise, melting that thick ice cannot be done overnight. No one wins in a conflict, but everyone gains in peace. The negotiating table is where the conflict ends and peace starts. Although the relevant parties have not had their positions fully aligned, they all hope to have a fair and durable peace deal that is binding and accepted by all the parties concerned. And that is a valuable common point, and all the parties should jointly strive for it. China is ready to work with the international community, in light of the wills of the parties to the conflict, to continue to play its constructive role in resolving the crisis and realizing lasting peace. One last point on this question. The Ukraine crisis has been dragging on for over three years. In hindsight, the tragedy could have been avoided. All parties should learn something from the crisis. Among many others, security should be mutual and equal, and no country should build its security on the insecurity of another. We should advocate and act on the new vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, and that is the way to truly realize lasting peace and security on the Eurasian continent and across the world. (Note: The idiom used is noteworthy. Beijing doesn’t seem to believe that anything’s changing in a rush. Later Wang outlines this assessment more directly, as you can see.)
On China’s innovation, Deepseek and American tech policy, he said:
“Be it space science or chip making, unjustified external suppression has never stopped. But where there is blockade, there is breakthrough; where there is suppression, there is innovation; where there is the fiercest storm, there is the platform launching China’s science and technology skyward like the Chinese mythological hero Nezha soaring into the heavens. As well put by an ancient Chinese verse, ‘No mountains can stop the surging flow of a mighty river.’ Likewise, ‘small yard, high fence’ cannot suppress the spirit of innovation, and decoupling and supply chains disruption will only lead to self-isolation. Science and technology should not be used to put up an iron curtain. It should be the wealth that benefits all and is shared by all.”
On Trump’s tariffs and broader policy, he said:
“Mutual respect is a basic norm governing state-to-state relations. It is also an important prerequisite for China-U.S. relations. No country should fantasize that it can suppress China and maintain good relations with China at the same time. Such two-faced acts are not good for the stability of bilateral relations, or for building mutual trust.”
He then talked about the fentanyl issue, defending China’s position. “China has been assisting the United States in various ways on humanitarian grounds. The United States should not return good with evil, or even impose arbitrary tariffs. No responsible major country should do that.”
He finally reinforced the importance of “mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation” for the broader relationship.
On the broader world order, Wang said:
“Facts have shown that the U.N. has withstood tests and has been instrumental. Today there have been fundamental changes in the world situation. Unilateralism is on the rise, and power politics runs rampant. Some countries have voiced scepticism of one kind or another about the U.N. But China believes that the more complex the problems, the greater the need to accentuate the important status of the U.N.; the more pressing the challenges, the greater the need to uphold the due authority of the U.N.”
“All countries want to prevent the world from returning to the law of the jungle. To this end, the first thing to do is to cement the cornerstone of sovereign equality. All countries, regardless of their size and strength, should be recognized as equal members of the international community. Those with stronger arms and bigger fists should not be allowed to call the shots. Second, the principle of fairness and justice must be upheld. International affairs must not be monopolized by a small number of countries. Greater attention should be given to the voice of the Global South. The legitimate rights and interests of all countries should be fully protected. Third, multilateralism must be observed. Countries should stay committed to the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefit, replace bloc confrontation with inclusive collaboration, and shatter small circles with greater solidarity. Fourth, the authority of the international rule of law must be strengthened. Major countries in particular should take the lead in upholding integrity, embracing the rule of law, and opposing double standard and selective application. Still less should they resort to bullying, monopoly, trickery or extortion. China is a founder and beneficiary of the post-WWII international order. Naturally, we are an advocate and builder of it as well. We have no intention to start all over again, nor do we support any country’s attempt to overturn the current order.”
While we are on the issue of the world order, in the upcoming episode of The Great Power Show, I speak with the insightful Manjari Chatterjee Miller to explore the fundamental ingredients of order—what holds international systems together and how they evolve. She breaks it down into four key elements: material power, an organising principle, rules of engagement, and broad buy-in from a significant set of actors. Looking through this lens, we discuss what US, Indian, and Chinese policies reveal about the shape of the world to come. Do tune in on March 15, 2025.
On Trump’s Gaza plan, Wang said:
“Gaza belongs to the Palestinian people. It is an inseparable part of the Palestinian territory. Changing its status by forceful means will not bring about peace, but only new chaos. We support the plan for restoring peace in Gaza initiated by Egypt and other Arab countries.” He then backed efforts towards a two-state solution.
On Africa and FOCAC, he said:
“Over the past 25 years, China has helped Africa build or upgrade nearly 100,000 kilometers of roads, and more than 10,000 kilometers of railways. In the past three years alone, Chinese enterprises created more than 1.1 million new jobs in Africa….There will be no global modernization without African modernization. The stability and development of Africa is vital to the future of humanity, and the world must listen to Africa and heed its concerns. Africa is going through a new awakening, and countries should support Africa in exploring a new development path of self-reliance and self-strengthening.” Wang also backed South Africa as host of the G20.
On the one-China principle and Resolution 2758, he said:
Such a narrative is a blatant challenge to the authority of the U.N. and the post-WWII international order. It is extremely absurd and dangerous. Those who spread it could use some help to improve their common sense…Taiwan is never a country, not in the past, and never in the future. To clamor for ‘Taiwan independence’ is to split the country, to support ‘Taiwan independence’ is to interfere in China’s internal affairs, and to connive at ‘Taiwan independence’ is to undermine the stability of the Taiwan Strait. The principle of sovereignty is the cornerstone of the U.N. Charter. No country or individual should adopt any kind of double standard. Respect for all countries’ sovereignty and territorial integrity should mean support for China’s complete reunification, and commitment to one-China should mean opposition to any form of ‘Taiwan independence’.”
On US deployment of mid-range capability missile system in the region, he said:
“To date, China has reached common understanding on building a community with a shared future with 17 neighboring countries, and formed ‘two clusters’ in the Indochina Peninsula and Central Asia. In our neighborhood, we have signed Belt and Road cooperation agreements with 25 countries, and remained the largest trading partner of 18 countries. Today’s China is an anchor of stability, engine of economic development, and pillar of regional security in Asia. That said, it is common for neighbors to not agree on everything. Issues left from the past and conflict of immediate interests should both be properly handled. But we believe that harmony is key to a prosperous family in all endeavors. As long as we remain committed to the vision of a common home, stick to the goal of building a community with a shared future, and follow the principles of equal-footed consultation, mutual understanding and mutual accommodation, we will surely be able to resolve differences, work with one another, and achieve win-win results. In the meantime, China will continue to open wider to neighboring countries, including through unilateral initiatives, and share more development benefits with its neighbors. You mentioned U.S. deployment of mid-range capability missile system in the region. China is firmly opposed to such an attempt, and it is not welcomed by regional countries either. Years have passed since the United States released its ‘Indo-Pacific Strategy’, but what has it done for regional countries? Nothing, except for stirring up troubles and creating disputes. It has proved to be more of a disruptive factor than a constructive contributor. Asia is not an arena for big power rivalry. It should become a demonstration field for international cooperation. We believe that it is important to practice open regionalism and share in Asia’s development opportunities based on mutual respect and win-win cooperation.”
On the EU, he said that over the past 50 years, for both sides, “the most powerful impetus (has been) mutual benefit, the greatest unifying consensus (has been) multilateralism, and the most accurate characterization (has been) cooperation partner.” He added: “China remains confident in Europe and believes Europe can be our trustworthy partner. The two sides have the capacity and wisdom to properly resolve pending issues through friendly consultation and jointly usher in another promising 50 years.”
On Japan ties, he said:
“With concerted efforts, bilateral relations have demonstrated a momentum of improvement and growth. We welcome enhanced exchanges, deeper mutually beneficial cooperation, and stronger goodwill between all sectors of our societies. All these are in the long-term interests of both sides. As for the specific concerns of the Japanese side in your question, China will handle them responsibly and properly in accordance with laws and regulations.”
He, however, added that “Remembering history, one can better shape the future. Forgetting history, one may lose his direction going forward…Guarding against the revival of militarism is a duty Japan must carry out without a moment’s relaxation. This is also the firm resolve of the Chinese and Asian people that is not to be challenged. In this test of conscience and integrity, the right choice for Japan is to abide by the principles enshrined in its pacifist constitution and keep to the path of peaceful development. The one-China principle is the political foundation for China-Japan relations. Eighty years have passed since Taiwan returned to China. Yet some unrepentant individuals in Japan are still working in the shadows with the so-called ‘Taiwan independence’ forces. Here is our message for them: Stop the propaganda that ‘a Taiwan emergency is a Japanese emergency.’ The truth is, to provoke trouble in the name of Taiwan is to invite trouble for Japan.”
On ties with Latin American countries, he said:
“What people in LAC countries want is to build their own home, not to become someone’s backyard; what they aspire to is independence and self-decision, not the Monroe Doctrine. Cooperation between China and LAC countries has won popular support because it respects the will of the people, meets the needs of regional countries, and provides reliable options and broad prospects for the revitalization of the region.” He also said that “China will host the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the Forum in the first half of this year.”
On the South China Sea, he said:
“China and Indonesia signed an intergovernmental document on maritime joint development. China and Malaysia launched a bilateral dialogue on the management of maritime issues. China has established maritime dialogue mechanisms with all countries concerned. These are proof that there is no problem that cannot be solved through dialogue and no goals that cannot be reached with cooperation. You mentioned the frictions between China and the Philippines. At an international forum not long ago, an official from a regional country noted that the Philippine moves to create frictions are like a ‘shadow play’, which is a vivid analogy. For every move on the sea by the Philippines, there is a screenplay written by external forces, the show is livestreamed by Western media, and the plot is invariably to smear China. People are not interested in watching the same performance again and again. China will continue to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in accordance with law. When managing the situation at Ren’ai Jiao and Huangyan Dao, we will also take into account the actual conditions out of humanitarian spirit. But let me make it clear that infringement and provocation will backfire and those acting as others’ chess pieces are bound to be discarded. To realize good neighborliness, lasting peace and security in the South China Sea, one needs trust and also rules. The key is to implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and develop a sound COC. With China’s facilitation, consultations on the COC are accelerating and the third reading of the text has been completed. We have full confidence in the prospect of concluding the COC. China is ready to work with ASEAN countries to step up communication, stay clear of disturbances, and build consensus for an early conclusion of the COC, so as to truly make the South China Sea a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation.”
On ties with India, he said:
“China-India relations have made positive strides over the past year. The successful meeting between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Kazan last October provided strategic guidance for the improvement and development of the bilateral ties. Both sides have earnestly followed through on the important common understandings of our leaders, strengthened exchanges and practical cooperation at all levels, and achieved a series of positive outcomes. China and India are each other’s largest neighbors. China always believes that the two should be partners that contribute to each other’s success. A cooperative pas de deux of the dragon and the elephant is the only right choice for both sides. As the two largest developing countries, China and India have a shared task to accelerate our countries’ development and revitalization. There is every reason for us to support each other rather than undercut each other, and work with each other rather than guard against each other. This is the path that truly serves the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples. As two ancient civilizations, we have enough wisdom and capability to maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas pending a fair and reasonable solution. We should never allow bilateral relations to be defined by the boundary question, or let specific differences affect the overall picture of our bilateral ties. As important members of the Global South, we have the responsibility to take the lead in opposing hegemonism and power politics. We must not only safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of our countries, but also uphold the basic norms governing international relations. When China and India join hands, the prospects for greater democracy in international relations and a stronger Global South will improve greatly. This year marks the 75th anniversary of China-India diplomatic relations. China stands ready to work with India to sum up past experience, forge a path forward, and advance China-India relations on the track of sound and stable development.”
On supporting overseas Chinese, he said that:
“In 2025, we will focus on three aspects to strengthen the system of safety protection for Chinese nationals and interests overseas: First, we will build an international cooperation platform for protecting the safety of overseas citizens. We will deepen cooperation on safety protection with other countries, especially with BRI partner countries and Lancang-Mekong countries, and expand the ‘circle of friends’ for mutual assistance. Second, we will make good use of the consular service hotline to provide inquiries and assistance 24/7 without time difference. Third, we will improve the risk alert and emergency response coordination mechanism, providing more efficient consular protection to overseas Chinese and assurances to the people.”
Finally, on the SCO, he confirmed that China will host the SCO summit in Tianjin this autumn. In response to another question on the global economy, he underscored that “The next China is still China”.