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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi

BEIJING. — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi yesterday outlined China’s diplomatic priorities for 2014, including enhanced ties with big powers and closer relations with neighbouring countries. “China will further build a framework for its relationships with big powers, which should feature positive interactions and healthy development,” Wang said at a forum on China’s diplomacy in 2013.

China will deepen strategic mutual trust and integration of interests with other big powers, he said.

China will build a new type of relationship with the United States with increased results of cooperation, expand cooperation with Russia in various fields, coordinate development strategies with the European Union and enhance cooperation with other developing big powers, he noted.

China will consolidate friendship with neighbouring countries and establish a “fate community,” Wang said.

Wang said China will insist on the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, and strive for the resumption of the six-party talks on the peninsula’s nuclear issue; safeguard China’s national sovereignty and dignity while settling territorial and maritime disputes with neighbouring countries via dialogue; and promote Afghanistan’s political reconciliation and economic reconstruction.

Wang stressed the country’s traditional friendship with other developing countries, noting that China will expand cooperation with Africa, implement its aid commitments and push for new breakthroughs in trade and economic ties with Africa.

China will also enhance cooperation with Arab countries and Latin America, Wang said, vowing to struggle for justice and preserve the interests of developing countries. He highlighted China’s strategy to forge a Silk Road economic zone and a Maritime Silk Road in the 21st century, noting China will strive for an “Early Harvest” in those efforts.

Wang also pledged to promote multilateral and bilateral free trade talks, including finishing talks with the Republic of Korea and Australia at an early date, upgrading its FTA with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and pushing forward the China-ROK-Japan FTA talks.

“China will face the member states of the Trans-Pacific Partnership  talks with an open attitude, as well as other regional or cross-region FTA initiatives,” Wang said, adding that China will also actively participate in the international economic governance reform. — Xinhua.