On Pacific Islands tour, Wang says ‘autopilot mode’ isn’t an option

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday called on Australia to restore relations with China through concrete actions, saying there is no “autopilot mode” to improve bilateral relations. .

He made the remark during a 10-day tour of Pacific island nations which ends on Saturday.

Wang said that in recent years, some political forces in Australia have stubbornly viewed China as a rival rather than a partner, and presented China’s development as a threat rather than an opportunity. It led to a significant setback in his years of positive and pragmatic policy toward China, he said.

The solution is for Australia to view China and its relationship with the country rationally and correctly, with mutual respect, seeking common ground while setting aside differences and creating the conditions for relations are getting back on track, Wang said. .

The improvement in bilateral relations is in line with people’s aspirations and the trend of the times, he added.

Wang’s comments came during his stay in Papua New Guinea, the final leg of his tour of the South Pacific region, which covered the 10 island countries that have established diplomatic ties with China.

As he and Papua New Guinea Foreign Minister Soroi Eoe met with reporters, Wang said China’s cooperation with island countries will be dynamically driven by the twin engines of bilateral cooperation and multilateral, bilateral cooperation being the main channel.

He said he deeply felt the enthusiasm and eagerness of island countries to continue cooperation with China.

Wang said he met with 17 leaders and more than 30 ministerial-level officials, either in face-to-face talks or via video, and co-hosted the second business ministers’ meeting. Pacific Island Countries and China with Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama. .

During the visit, Beijing signed 52 bilateral agreements with island nations covering 15 areas, including combating climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic, which will give new impetus to their economic development and improvement. means of subsistence.

China also released a position paper outlining 15 proposals and 24 steps to deepen comprehensive strategic partnership with nations, characterized by mutual respect and common development. In addition, he expressed his readiness to build six new platforms for cooperation with island nations in light of their needs.

Noting that China’s diplomatic style differs from that of traditional major powers, Wang said China offers “equal treatment” and “mutual support” and focuses on development when dealing with developing countries. development.

Wang said China fully understands the value and importance of equality for developing countries, adding that Beijing will not start from a “position of strength”.

Instead, Wang said China upholds democracy in international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law, not the so-called rules established unilaterally by a certain large group. power or a handful of countries.

Wang called on developing countries to support and help each other to safeguard common interests and oppose bullying in all its forms, so as to make the world more balanced and harmonious.

China urges Western countries to increase their contribution and support to developing countries, rather than thinking about geopolitical competition and exploiting small and medium-sized countries as pawns for political purposes, Wang said.

He dismissed misinformation that a regional security agreement would be signed between China and the island nations, saying Beijing would come to the region to improve people’s welfare rather than build military bases, and get more consensus through cooperation.

China remains open to conducting multi-party cooperation with developed countries to achieve win-win results, he added.

Ruan Zongze, executive vice president of the China Institute of International Studies, said Wang’s remarks showed that the key to successful relations between China and other developing countries is that China, as the largest developing country, has a natural proximity and understanding to other developing countries.

Equal treatment, mutual support and development are also the biggest common denominator between the two sides, he added.

Guo Yanjun, director of the Institute of Asian Studies at China Foreign Affairs University, said the visit has boosted political trust and development-oriented cooperation between China and island countries. Interference and disruption from Western countries will not hinder this cooperation, he added.

After concluding his trip to Papua New Guinea, Wang arrived in Timor-Leste on Friday for a two-day visit.

In another development, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong was in Tonga for a visit on Friday. The trip to Samoa and Tonga was her second to the Pacific region since becoming foreign minister.