Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told the Munich Security Conference that China and Europe are partners, not rivals, and called for pursuing harmony while respecting each other's differences.
Wang, who is also a member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, pointed out that the international situation has become significantly more complex and unstable in the past year. In response to growing security risks and the confluence of global challenges, he said China continues to promote multilateralism and democratic principles in international relations.
Support for multilateralism and the UN system
Speaking on the „China in the World“ panel, Wang presented China's vision for dealing with global uncertainty and reforming the world order. He stressed that the key to improving global governance is to strengthen the role of the United Nations.
According to him, it is the UN platform that allows all states - regardless of their size or economic power - to express their voice. Without the UN, the world could return to an era where the strong dominate the weak, which would particularly threaten small and medium-sized countries dependent on the multilateral system.
Wang also called for seeking common interests while preserving differences and developing cooperation based on mutual benefit. He referred to the Confucian work The Confucius Talks, from which he quoted the idea of harmony in diversity as the basis for relations between states.
Relations between China and Europe
On the future of China-Europe relations, Wang said the two sides should strengthen strategic communication and mutual trust. He warned that labelling China as a threat and persistent anti-Chinese prejudice could harm the long-term development of China-EU relations.
In an interview with the chairman of the conference, Wolfgang Ischinger stressed the importance of trade cooperation and the high volume of mutual trade as a stabilising element of relations.
According to expert Jiang Feng from the Shanghai Academy of Global Governance and Regional Studies, the reality of Sino-European relations in the field of economy and people-to-people contacts is more positive than it is often presented in the European public space. He also said that economic cooperation remains the main pillar of bilateral relations and can contribute to their further strengthening.
China's growing role in the world
According to Jiang, China is playing an increasingly important role in international affairs and is becoming an indispensable actor in global politics. He said the interest in Minister Wang's speeches and discussions on China-Europe relations was much higher this year than in previous years.
According to the participants, China was mentioned in virtually all debates - from European development to the formation of a new world order to transatlantic relations and regional conflicts. Many participants also expressed interest in learning more about China's development and visiting the country in person.
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