BEIJING - Mutual respect is a basic norm governing state-to-state relations and also an important prerequisite for China-US relations, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Friday.

"No country should fantasize that it can suppress China and maintain good relations with China at the same time," Wang said at a press conference on the sidelines of the third session of the 14th National People's Congress, noting that such two-faced acts are not good for the stability of bilateral relations, or for building mutual trust.

Commenting on the US move to impose additional tariffs on Chinese goods using the fentanyl issue as a pretext, Wang said the United States should not return good with evil, or even impose arbitrary tariffs, adding that no responsible major country should do that.

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The abuse of fentanyl in the United States is a problem that must be confronted and resolved by the United States itself, he said.

China always takes resolute measures against drug trafficking and manufacturing, and China has put in place the toughest and most comprehensive counternarcotics policies in today's world, Wang said.

As early as in 2019, China scheduled all fentanyl-related substances upon the request of the US side, the first country in the world to do so, he noted.

"China-US business relations are based on two-way and reciprocal interactions. Cooperation will bring about mutual benefit, and China will definitely take countermeasures in response to arbitrary pressure," Wang said.

Citing the Chinese saying "If one's action fails, look for the reason within oneself", he urged the United States to rethink what it has achieved from the tariff and trade wars these years -- Has its trade deficit widened or narrowed? Has its manufacturing become more competitive or less competitive? Has US inflation gone up or down? Has the life of its people got better or worse?

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As the world's largest developing and developed countries respectively, China and the United States will stay on this planet for a long time, and they must therefore seek peaceful co-existence, the minister said.

Given the extensive common interests and broad space for cooperation, it is fully possible for China and the United States to become partners helping each other succeed and prosper together, he said.

Wang said that China will stay committed to the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation in promoting steady, sound and sustainable development of China-US relations.

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"At the same time, we hope that the US side will listen to the calls of the two peoples, see clearly the trend of the times, take an objective and rational view of China's development, engage proactively with China in practical exchanges, and work together with China to pursue the right way of getting along with each other to the benefit of the two countries and the whole world," he said.

Profound changes

Through head-of-state diplomacy, China's relations with the world have undergone positive and profound changes, the foreign minister said.

In the past year, President Xi Jinping personally planned and conducted head-of-state diplomacy, and many fruitful results were achieved, Wang said at the press conference.

The three major events hosted by China last year -- the conference marking the 70th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, and the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum -- set a new benchmark of the Global South joining hands for common progress, he said.

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Wang also noted that Xi's four overseas visits in the past year generated new dynamism for global solidarity and cooperation.

There will be new highlights in China's head-of-state diplomacy in 2025, Wang said.

Last month, Xi attended the opening ceremony of the Asian Winter Games, marking the beginning of diplomatic events that China will host this year, said Wang.

China will 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 this year, according to Wang.

"Head-of-state diplomacy will write a new chapter of closer cooperation and shared success between China and the world," Wang said.  

Stable China-Russia ties 'won't be swayed'

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, Wang said.

The relationship is "a constant in a turbulent world rather than a variable in geopolitical games", Wang told the press conference.

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, he said.

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The two countries have found a path of "non-alliance, non-confrontation and not targeting any third party" in developing their relations, Wang said, adding that 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.

Last year marked the 75th anniversary of China-Russia diplomatic ties. President Xi Jinping and President Vladimir Putin had three face-to-face meetings, jointly steering the Russia-China comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era into a new historical stage, Wang said.

This year will be the 80th anniversary of the victory in World War II. Back then, China and Russia fought valiantly in the main theaters of Asia and Europe respectively. The two nations made immense sacrifices for and major, historic contributions to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, he said.

READ MORE: Xi: China-Russia ties to inject positive energy into global relations

"The two sides will take the opportunity of joint commemoration of this important historical milestone to advocate the correct historical view of World War II, defend its victorious outcomes, uphold the UN-centered international system, and promote a more just and equitable international order," he said.

Building community with shared future

The minister also called for building a community with a shared future for humanity.

An increasing number of countries have participated in the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, with over 100 countries supporting the three global initiatives, namely, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative.

Wang added that over three quarters of countries across the world have joined the family of the Belt and Road cooperation.

Wang made the remarks when answering a question about the influence of the "America First" policy of the United States.

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If every country stresses "my country first" and is obsessed with a position of strength, the "law of the jungle" would reign the world again, with smaller and weaker countries bearing the brunt first and international norms and order severely undermined, Wang said.

A major country should honor its international obligations and fulfill its due responsibilities, Wang said.

History will prove that a real winner is the one that keeps in mind the interests of all. A community with a shared future for humanity will ensure that the world belongs to every country, and that everyone will have a bright future, Wang added. 

The minister said China's diplomacy brought much-needed stability to a changing and turbulent world in 2024. 

With its diplomatic efforts, the country fostered a good external environment for its high-quality development and made new and solid strides in building a community with a shared future for humanity, Wang said.

Stressing that the mission of China's diplomacy remains unchanged, Wang said that China will, along with other countries, continue to uphold what is right, steer the direction of the era, defend international fairness and justice, and safeguard world peace and stability.  

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"We are living in a changing and turbulent world, where certainty is becoming a scarce resource," Wang said. 

"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." 

Wang said China will be a just and righteous force for world peace and stability, a progressive force for international fairness and justice, and a constructive force for common development of the world.

The country will uphold true multilateralism and safeguard the multilateral free trade system, the senior diplomat said.

"We will continue to expand high-standard opening up, and share the vast opportunities of Chinese modernization with all countries," Wang said. 

Strengthening Global South

During the press conference, Wang said the Global South should strengthen themselves, stand together in unity, and strive for development.

"The hallmark of our era is the prominent, growing strength of the Global South," the Chinese minister said.

Accounting 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, according to Wang.

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"The Global South holds the key to bringing stability to the world and making it a better place," Wang said.

Noting that Indonesia became a full member of BRICS at the beginning of the year, and nine partner countries have joined the BRICS family, Wang said BRICS is emerging as a backbone of cooperation and an engine of growth in the Global South.

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," he said.

"We should keep development as a central item of international agenda, build up the momentum, enhance our capacity, and advance hand in hand toward modernization," Wang said. 

Defusing Ukraine crisis

Speaking of the Ukraine crisis, Wang said 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.

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"All parties should learn something from the crisis," Wang emphasized, adding that 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," he said.

‘China confident in Europe’

The foreign minister said China remains confident in Europe and believes that it can be a trustworthy partner, adding that the two sides can solve pending issues properly.

Noting that this year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the EU, Wang said in the half-century-long relationship, the most valuable asset is mutual respect, the most powerful impetus is mutual benefit, the greatest unifying consensus is multilateralism, and the most accurate characterization is partnership.

In the past five decades, China-EU trade has expanded from $2.4 billion to $780 billion. Investment has increased from almost zero to close to $260 billion. China-Europe Railway Express has run more than 100,000 cargo trips and become a golden passage connecting Asia and Europe, he said.

“Fifty years on, China and the EU jointly make up over one-third of the world economy, and the cooperation between the two has a greater strategic value and global influence," he said, adding that a healthy and stable relationship will lift up both sides and make for a brighter world.

"The two sides have the capacity and wisdom to properly resolve pending issues through friendly consultation and jointly usher in another promising 50 years," added Wang.

Backing Gaza restoration plan

China supports the plan for restoring peace in Gaza initiated by Egypt and other Arab countries, Wang said.

Gaza belongs to the Palestinian people, and is an inseparable part of the Palestinian territory. Changing the status of Gaza by forceful means will not bring about peace, but only new chaos, Wang said.

READ MORE: China supports Gaza reconstruction plan endorsed by Palestine, Arab states

Noting that the Palestinian question has always been at the heart of the Middle East issue, the foreign minister called on the international community to focus more on the two-state solution and give more support to independent statehood for Palestine.

Lasting peace in South China Sea

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 Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC), so as to make the South China Sea a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation, said Wang.

With the joint efforts by China and ASEAN countries, the South China Sea maintained peace and stability last year, and remained the safest and busiest waters for international navigation and overflight, he said.

According to him, 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.”

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To realize good neighborliness, lasting peace and security in the South China Sea, one needs trust and also rules, Wang said, adding that 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.”

The Philippines' moves to create frictions in the South China Sea are just "shadow play" to smear China, with the screenplay written by external forces and the show livestreamed by Western media, said Wang.

Infringement and provocation will backfire and those acting as others' chess pieces are bound to be discarded, he said.

US deployment of mid-range missiles in Asia

China is firmly opposed to US deployment of mid-range missile system in Asia, and the deployment is not welcomed by regional countries either, said Wang Yi.

"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," he said.

Upholding due authority of UN

Wang stressed the need to accentuate the important status and uphold the due authority of the United Nations (UN).

"Facts have shown that the UN has withstood tests and has been instrumental," Wang said. "China believes that the more complex the problems, the greater the need to accentuate the important status of the UN; the more pressing the challenges, the greater the need to uphold the due authority of the UN," said Wang. 

Japan urged to reflect on history

Wang urged Japan to reflect on history to continue the path of peaceful development, and adhere to the one-China principle in dealing with its relations with China.

Noting this year marks the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45), Wang said: "Remembering history, one can better shape the future. Forgetting history, one may lose the direction going forward."

He underlined the need to guard against the revival of militarism, which, he said, is the firm resolve of the Chinese and Asian people that will not be challenged.

The one-China principle is the political foundation of China-Japan relations, Wang said, warning that to provoke trouble in the name of Taiwan is to invite trouble for Japan.

China, India should work together

China and India should be partners that contribute to each other's success and "a cooperative pas de deux of the dragon and the elephant is the only right choice" for both sides, Wang said.

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The two nations should not let the border issue define their relationship or allow specific differences to affect the broader dynamics of bilateral ties, he said, expressing the belief that the two countries have the wisdom and capability to maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas until a fair and reasonable solution is found.

"To support each other rather than undercut each other, work with each other rather than guard against each other — this is the path that truly serves the fundamental interests of both China and India and their peoples," Wang said.

As this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two nations, Wang said China is ready to work with India to promote a stable and sound bilateral relationship.

Noting China and India are major members of the Global South, Wang called for the two neighbors to join hands, saying that by doing so, the prospects for greater democracy in international relations and a stronger Global South will improve greatly.

Supporting Africa development

The world should listen to Africa, heed its concerns, and support it in exploring a new development path of self-reliance and self-strengthening, Wang said.

There will be no global modernization without African modernization, and the stability and development of Africa is vital to the future of humanity, Wang said.

China and Africa are always good friends, good partners and good brothers with a shared future, Wang said, noting that the China-Africa relationship is now at its best in history.

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China has established strategic partnerships with all African countries having diplomatic ties with it, and the China-Africa community with a shared future has been elevated to an "all-weather" level, he said.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. 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, Wang said, adding that in the past three years alone, Chinese enterprises created more than 1.1 million new jobs in Africa.

Noting that China has remained Africa's largest trade partner for 16 consecutive years, Wang said China-Africa cooperation is "visible, tangible and truly beneficial" to African people.  

Decoupling 'can't impede' China's tech progress

"High fences and small yards" cannot suppress the spirit of innovation, and decoupling and supply chains disruption will only lead to self-isolation, Wang said.

Wang said science and technology should not be used to put up an iron curtain, but should be the wealth that benefits all and is shared by all.

"Where there is blockade, there is breakthrough; where there is suppression, there is innovation," said Wang when responding to a question on US tech suppression on China.

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Noting that unjustified external suppression on China, be it in space science or chip making, has never stopped, Wang said China's path to becoming a science and technology powerhouse is growing wider.

Wang invoked the legend of Nezha, a Chinese mythological figure known for his courage to defy bullying powers, saying that China's sci-tech advancements can "soar into the sky" despite "the fiercest storm".

Wang cited China's recent tech innovations including the Shenzhou crewed space missions, the Chang'e lunar exploration program, 5G, quantum computing and DeepSeek.

To promote the common development of humanity, China has taken real measures to implement the Global AI Governance Initiative put forth by President Xi, and released the AI Capacity-Building Action Plan for Good and for All, Wang said.

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China also proposed the Initiative on International Cooperation in Open Science together with Brazil, South Africa and the African Union, calling on all to give priority to sci-tech capacity-building of the Global South so that no country is left behind, Wang added.

China is "ready to share the fruits of its innovation with more countries and jointly explore the mysteries of the stars and oceans," Wang said.