Ahmed Mostafa writes
During the press conference held on the sidelines of the National People’s Congress (NPC) on March 7, 2024, in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi referred to three basic topics that shape China’s foreign policy regionally and internationally as follows:
1- China slams ‘unfathomable absurdities’ of US trade controls
China’s top diplomat hit out at Washington’s “bewildering” trade policy during a news conference Thursday on the sidelines of the Two Sessions Conference in Beijing, where Chinese leaders have been championing high-tech development in the face of mounting curbs from Washington. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi accused the US of “devising various tactics to suppress China” and said Washington’s “lengthening” unilateral sanctions list had reached “bewildering levels of unfathomable absurdity.” “If it gets jittery whenever it hears the word China, where is its confidence as a major country?” Wang said in response to a question about trade with the US and technological restrictions.
Wang made the comments during an annual Foreign Minister’s briefing held during each of “the two sessions” gathering of China’s rubber-stamp legislature and its top political advisory body. In stark contrast to his comments on the US, Wang praised China’s burgeoning relationship and record trade with Russia – highlighting this near the top of his press conference when a Russian state media reporter was the first question taken from a foreign reporter.
Wang’s comments on the US come as Washington continues its drive to narrow the kinds of high-end technology that can be accessed by China. Wang occasionally struck a softer tone, noting that there had been “some improvement” in US-China relations since US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in San Francisco last November.
He called on Washington to cooperate with Beijing “to return relations to the path of stable, strong and sustainable development.” What was at the fore at this week’s meetings was China’s efforts to strengthen its “self-reliance and strength in science and technology,” sending a message that Beijing will build up its confidence rather than sit back and wait for technology. It is expected that the USA will improve.
The government announced plans to increase its annual budget for science and technology by 10% to an unprecedented 370.8 billion yuan ($51.6 billion) — the biggest jump since 2019 after years of minimal growth.
2- Relations with Russia
Wang also praised robust trade ties between China and Russia, which have deepened following the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine and Moscow’s subsequent economic isolation on the global stage. Bilateral trade between China and Russia hit a historic $240 billion last year, surpassing a target of $200 billion set by Xi and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in 2019 ahead of schedule. Beijing’s ties to Moscow have sparked deep suspicion in the West, including over concerns about China’s position as the Kremlin’s key economic lifeline.
While China claims neutrality in the Ukraine conflict it has appeared unwilling to use its significant economic leverage to curb Russia’s aggression and has not condemned the invasion. He also reiterated past rhetoric framing China’s relationship with Russia as a responsible one. The maintenance and expansion of Sino-Russian relations is a strategic decision of both sides, based on their fundamental interests and “what needs to be done to keep up with the global trend”.
3- Tensions in Asia
The ambassador also spoke of ongoing tensions in the South Pacific, which have intensified rather than threatened in recent months between Chinese and Philippine vessels. There is the issue of war, which could be a problem for the United States as a security partner for the Philippines. While the International Court of Justice has rejected China’s high seas claims, it continues to beef up island defenses and maintains a large coast guard and fishing fleet to support its claims.
“In the face of unnecessary provocations, we will respond quickly and correctly.” “We also urge other countries outside the region not to be provocative, not to take pleasure in others’ misfortune, not to cause trouble,” Wang Yi said on Thursday, referring to U.S. behavior in the region.
According to the Chinese Communist Party, autonomous democracy is part of this “China”, although it has not yet been implemented. It does not rule out using force to retake countries with which the United States maintains unofficial relations. On Thursday, in response to a question about Taiwan’s recent election of Lai Ching-te, Wang made a serious appeal for support for “peaceful reform.” However, Lai’s party says Taiwan is an independent country threatened by China.
