Wang Yi on the state visit of the Supreme Leader to France, Serbia and Hungary.

Inheriting friendship, promoting unity and opening up a successful journey in the future

　　— — Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Foreign Minister, talks about the state visit of the Supreme Leader to France, Serbia and Hungary.

　　From May 5 to 10, 2024, the Supreme Leader of president was invited to pay a state visit to France, Serbia and Hungary. At the end of the trip, Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Foreign Minister, introduced the visit to the accompanying reporters.

　　Wang Yi said that in early summer, Chairman Supreme Leader made his first visit in 2024. Five days and six nights, three countries and four places, more than 30 activities are interlocking, double and multilateral, and politics and texts are given consideration; There are both formal and grand state activities and cordial interaction of "no tie"; There are both strategic communication with broad vision and free speech. All the three countries paid great attention to it, giving the most grand reception and the highest standard of courtesy. This visit is based in Europe, with a broad view of the world, to achieve the re-consolidation of Sino-French relations, the re-strengthening of Sino-Serbian relations, the re-promotion of Sino-Hungarian relations, and the re-start of China-EU cooperation. It is a journey of inheriting friendship, enhancing mutual trust, boosting confidence and opening up the future, and it is a complete success. Public opinion at home and abroad has paid close attention to and continued to discuss. It is generally believed that the highlights of the visit are frequent and colorful, and its strategic significance and far-reaching influence far exceed the bilateral scope, which shows the positive and enterprising diplomacy of a big country with China characteristics and demonstrates the responsibility and charm of the Supreme Leader Chairman as a big country leader.

　　First, uphold the initial intention of establishing diplomatic relations and promote Sino-French relations as a link between the past and the future.

　　Wang Yi said that France is the first western power to establish diplomatic relations with New China and take the lead in establishing a comprehensive strategic partnership with China, and it has a tradition of independence. The first official visit to China by a western head of state was the French President, and the first official visit to China by a western country was also France. The relationship between the two countries has always been at the forefront of China and western countries, and has become a model for countries with different civilizations, different systems and different levels of development to achieve mutual success and common evolution.

　　The state visit of the Supreme Leader to France is the most important agenda to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France. The two heads of state conducted long-term and high-level strategic communication. The Chairman of the Supreme Leader reviewed and summarized the precious history, unique value and important mission of the 60 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, and stressed that both sides should adhere to the initial intention of establishing diplomatic relations with independence, mutual understanding, foresight and mutual benefit, inject new era connotation into it, and illuminate the way forward with the torch of history. Chairman of the Supreme Leader proposed to achieve "four persistences" and "four commonalities", that is, to persist in independence and jointly prevent "new cold war" or camp confrontation; Adhere to mutual understanding and jointly promote the harmonious coexistence of the colorful world; Persist in foresight and jointly promote an equal and orderly world multipolarization; Adhere to mutual benefit and win-win, and jointly oppose "decoupling and chain breaking".

　　President Macron strongly resonated with the profound insights of the Chairman of the Supreme Leader, saying that the world today is facing urgent challenges. The relationship between France and China is profound and profound. The two sides respect each other, focus on the long term, and strengthen cooperation, which will play an important and positive role in solving global challenges and avoiding group confrontation.

　　The two heads of state reached a number of consensuses on further developing Sino-French relations, and unanimously agreed to consolidate the strategic stability of bilateral relations, tap the broad potential of mutually beneficial cooperation, accelerate the "two-way trip" of people-to-people exchanges, and gather greater consensus on global cooperation. The two sides issued four joint statements on the situation in the Middle East, artificial intelligence and global governance, biodiversity and oceans, and agricultural exchanges and cooperation, and signed nearly 20 cooperation agreements.

　　Wang Yi said: In recent years, Chairman of the Supreme Leader and President Macron have held nice night talks and tea talks in Yuyuan Garden successively, and last year they held a meeting in Songyuan Garden in Guangzhou. This time, President Macron carefully designed and invited the Chairman and his wife of the Supreme Leader to visit Upper Pyrenees, which is of special significance to their personal growth. Mrs. Kai personally went to Tabu Airport to meet and see him off. The heads of state of the two countries climbed to the top of the Turmalai Pass and talked about the world. From the east to the west, from history to the present, we have in-depth strategic communication on major and urgent issues and reached a high degree of consensus. Macron said that through in-depth exchanges with the Chairman of the Supreme Leader, he learned more about China’s history, culture, ideas and development process, and deepened his understanding of China’s position on important issues. Under the current international situation, it is essential for Europe to maintain strategic autonomy and unity, and it is essential for Europe to develop good relations with China and strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation. Talking at the post station at Toulmalai Pass not only became a highlight of this visit, but also wrote another story about the exchanges between the heads of state of China and France.

　　Wang Yi said that every highlight moment of Sino-French exchanges is supported by independent factors, while China and France carry forward the spirit of independence, and every encounter can bring great energy to generate. Standing at the new crossroads of human development, facing the changing situation of the world in the past century, China and France, as permanent members of the UN Security Council, should shoulder greater responsibilities, strengthen bilateral cooperation and multilateral communication and cooperation, and jointly inject hope into the confused world and explore the direction for human progress. It is believed that under the guidance of the strategy of the two heads of state, Sino-French relations will usher in the next more brilliant Jiazi and continuously reach a new and higher level.

　　Second, continue the hardcore friendship and start a new journey to build a community of destiny between China and Serbia in the new era.

　　Wang Yi said that Serbia is a staunch friend of China and China’s first comprehensive strategic partner in Central and Eastern Europe. China-Serbia friendship stood the test of war in the last century and was sublimated in the joint fight against the COVID-19 epidemic. In recent years, the Chairman of the Supreme Leader has maintained close communication with President Vucic, established solid mutual trust, and jointly led China-Serbia relations to achieve leap-forward development. Especially when the Chairman of the Supreme Leader visited Serbia in 2016, the cooperation project of Smederevo Steel Plant in Hegang was opened, and "saving a factory, changing a city and benefiting the people" became a household story in Serbia.

　　At the kind invitation of President Vucic, the Supreme Leader visited Cyprus again. The Serbian nation rejoiced, and Belgrade lit up "China Red" in many places. President Vucic led the former president, speaker, prime minister, foreign minister and many other dignitaries to the airport to greet him and hold an unprecedented grand welcoming ceremony. Nearly 20,000 Serbian people gathered in the square of Serbian Mansion, waving the flags of China and Serbia and shouting "China", which made us feel the sincere feelings of Serbian people towards the people of China and their high respect for the Supreme Leader.

　　The two heads of state unanimously agreed to build a community of destiny between China and Serbia in the new era. The Chairman of the Supreme Leader pointed out that the die-hard friendship between China and Serbia has stood the test of changes in the international situation and has a profound historical background, a firm political foundation, extensive common interests and a solid public opinion foundation. China is willing to share weal and woe with Serbia and pursue their national development and national rejuvenation side by side. The Chairman of the Supreme Leader also announced China’s first practical measures to support the building of a community of destiny between China and Serbia, demonstrating China’s determination and sincerity to deepen and enhance China-Serbia comprehensive strategic partnership.

　　President Vucic has repeatedly said emotionally that China’s equal treatment of a small country like Serbia has impressed the Serbian people, and China is Serbia’s most sincere friend. Under the leadership of Chairman Supreme Leader, China has made remarkable achievements and become a beacon of world development and progress. China not only seeks happiness for the people of China, but also benefits the people of the world. The Serbian people are full of gratitude and respect for China, especially for the Chairman of the Supreme Leader. They are proud to be hardcore friends with such a great country as China. They will firmly support China in safeguarding its core interests, cooperate closely with China strategically, jointly oppose hegemonic power and safeguard international fairness and justice.

　　Wang Yi said that China and Serbia have achieved a breakthrough in building a community of destiny in the new era in Europe, which is not only the sublimation of China-Serbia hardcore friendship, but also shows the common values of both sides, and will surely become a new milestone in the history of China-Serbia relations, helping the two countries to accelerate their respective modernization processes and further expand the vivid practice of building a community of human destiny around the world.

　　Third, consolidate traditional friendship and lead China-Hungary relations into the "golden channel"

　　Wang Yi said that Hungary was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with New China, and this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Hungary. Over the past 75 years, China-Hungary relations have always maintained steady and healthy development, political mutual trust is firm, and cooperation in various fields has achieved fruitful results. The relations between the two countries have entered the best period in history and set a model for new international relations.

　　The Hungarian side attached great importance to the visit of the Supreme Leader. President Shuyuk and Premier Orban jointly issued an invitation and held a welcoming ceremony. Premier Orban and Foreign Minister Jardot went to the airport to see him off. They had long talks and interactions with the Chairman of the Supreme Leader, opened their hearts and conducted in-depth exchanges, and plotted the future of Sino-Hungarian relations.

　　The Supreme Leader highly appreciated Premier Orban’s firm support for China’s core interests, and expressed his willingness to take the opportunity of establishing an all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Hungary in the new era, adhere to equality, mutual trust and mutual assistance, win-win cooperation, fairness and justice, and inject new strong impetus into the cooperation between the two countries, and welcome Hungary to become a peer on the road of Chinese modernization. China is willing to strengthen strategic cooperation with Hungary, advocate an equal and orderly world multipolarization and inclusive economic globalization, and promote the development of global governance in a more just and reasonable direction.

　　Both President Shuyuk and Premier Orban spoke highly of the series of global initiatives put forward by the Supreme Leader Chairman, believing that they are crucial to solving various challenges facing the world today and preventing camp confrontation. Hungary is a staunch friend of China and supports China in safeguarding its core interests and legitimate rights. The Hungarian side has firmly adhered to the one-China principle in the past, present and future, and its determination to deepen cooperation with China is not interfered by any force. It hopes to deepen cooperation in building the Belt and Road and is full of expectations for the future of Hungarian-Chinese relations. Hungary also indicated that it will take Hungary’s rotating presidency of the European Union in the second half of this year as an opportunity to promote the healthy and stable development of EU-China relations and play an active role in promoting cooperation between Central and Eastern European countries and China.

　　Wang Yi said that one of the important reasons why China and Hungary can become true friends and good partners who share the same interests and develop side by side is that both countries are not afraid of wind and rain and power, and firmly hold the destiny of national development and progress in their own hands, and have embarked on the right path of friendly exchanges between independent countries. Good friends are more precious than gold. China is willing to take the visit of the Chairman of the Supreme Leader as an opportunity to write a new story of all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era and draw a new chapter in mutually beneficial cooperation on the "golden waterway".

　　Fourth, shape a correct understanding and lead China and Europe to adhere to the correct positioning of partnership.

　　Wang Yi said that Europe is an important pole of the multipolar pattern, an important direction of China’s diplomacy as a big country with characteristics and an important partner for realizing Chinese modernization. In recent years, China-EU relations have maintained overall development. At the same time, under the background of the profound evolution of the international situation, some new problems and challenges have emerged. Next year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between China and the European Union, and the future of China-EU relations is at a critical stage.

　　The Supreme Leader held a tripartite meeting with President Macron and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen in Paris. The Chairman of the Supreme Leader profoundly analyzed the endogenous power of China-EU relations and the mutually beneficial nature of China-EU cooperation, and pointed out that as two major forces, two major markets and two major civilizations in the world today, China-EU relations are related to world peace, stability, development and prosperity. There are no geopolitical contradictions and conflicts of fundamental interests between China and Europe, and China-EU relations are not directed at, attached to or controlled by third parties. Both sides should adhere to the orientation of partners, persist in dialogue and cooperation, deepen strategic communication, enhance strategic mutual trust, build strategic consensus, carry out strategic cooperation, promote the stable and healthy development of China-EU relations, and constantly make new contributions to world peace and development.

　　In response to the so-called "China’s theory of overcapacity", the Chairman of the Supreme Leader used facts and data to solve doubts and dispel doubts, and get to the root of the problem. The Chairman of the Supreme Leader emphasized that China’s new energy enterprises have developed their real skills in the open competition, representing advanced production capacity, which not only enriched global supply and eased global inflationary pressure, but also made great contributions to coping with climate change and green transformation. No matter from the perspective of comparative advantage or global market demand, there is no so-called "overcapacity" problem. The essence of China-EU cooperation is complementary advantages, mutual benefit and win-win. The two sides have extensive and huge cooperation space in the green and digital transformation. The two sides should handle economic and trade frictions through dialogue and consultation, take care of their legitimate concerns, and build each other into key partners in economic and trade cooperation, priority partners in scientific and technological cooperation, and credible partners in production and supply chain cooperation.

　　The EU said that the world is facing major challenges and the international situation is at a critical turning point. The EU needs to strengthen cooperation with China more than ever before, which is related to the future of Europe. The EU hopes to respect each other with China, seek common ground while reserving differences, enhance mutual trust and avoid misunderstanding. The EU also expressed its appreciation for China’s efforts and achievements in green transformation and development, recognized China’s legitimate rights in safeguarding its own development, and disapproved of "decoupling". It hoped to strengthen cooperation with China, jointly safeguard the stability of European supply chains and meet global challenges such as climate change.

　　During this visit, the Chairman of the Supreme Leader also attended the closing ceremony of the sixth meeting of the China-France Entrepreneur Committee, explaining the world significance of Chinese-style modernization to Europe, conveying the clear message of China’s economic bright theory, and emphasizing that China will promote high-quality development and accelerate the development of new-quality productive forces, which will provide a broader market space for countries around the world, including Europe, and bring more opportunities for win-win cooperation. European enterprises are welcome to actively participate in the process of Chinese-style modernization and share the development dividend of China. The speech of the Chairman of the Supreme Leader was warmly echoed by European entrepreneurs attending the meeting. Many people voluntarily indicated that they will continue to maintain or expand their investment in China, and look forward to deeply participating in China’s high-level and institutional opening-up process.

　　V. Highlighting the role of big countries and contributing to China’s program for world peace

　　Wang Yi said that at present, chaos is frequent all over the world, hot issues are complicated and difficult to solve, and risks and challenges come one after another. In particular, the Ukrainian crisis has been delayed for more than two years, European peace and security have reached a crossroads, and confusion and anxiety have generally risen. We expect China to provide China wisdom and China’s plan for solving the crisis and achieving peace.

　　During the visit, the Chairman of the Supreme Leader had an in-depth exchange of views with European leaders on international and regional hot issues such as the Ukrainian crisis and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The Chairman of the Supreme Leader expounded China’s views and propositions on the Ukrainian crisis from a historical depth and strategic height, summed up the consensus and common interests between China and Europe from a strategic perspective, and pointed out that China and Europe should jointly oppose the spillover and escalation of war, jointly create conditions for peace talks, and jointly safeguard international energy and food security and the stability of the industrial chain and supply chain.

　　In response to the so-called "China Responsibility Theory" concocted by individual countries and various evasive remarks, the Chairman of the Supreme Leader clearly pointed out that China is not the maker or party of the Ukrainian crisis, and has been trying its best to persuade peace and promote talks. China has sincerity, actions and principles. We don’t accept any words and deeds that use the crisis to discredit China and incite a "new cold war". During their visit to France, China and France agreed to take the Paris Olympic Games as an opportunity to propose a global ceasefire during the Games, to speak out for the peaceful settlement of hot issues and to contribute to the construction of a world of lasting peace and universal security.

　　Regarding the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the Chairman of the Supreme Leader stressed that the urgent task is to achieve a comprehensive ceasefire as soon as possible, and the most important thing is to ensure humanitarian relief. The fundamental way out is to implement the "two-state plan." China supports the convening of a larger, more authoritative and more effective international peace conference as soon as possible to promote a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the Palestinian issue at an early date.

　　Wang Yi said that on the issue of peace and stability, China has always stood on the right side of history, on the side of peace and justice, and on the commanding heights of international morality, which has been widely recognized and highly praised by the international community and has become a mainstay in promoting international peace and stability.

　　Wang Yi said that his wife’s diplomacy was the highlight of this visit. Professor Peng Liyuan accompanied the Chairman of the Supreme Leader to more than 20 events, and had friendly exchanges with the wives of the leaders of the three countries who visited, and had cordial interactions with local women and students, encouraging them to learn more about Chinese and China. Professor Peng Liyuan was also invited to visit UNESCO headquarters to receive the honorary certificate of the 10th anniversary as UNESCO’s special envoy to promote girls’ and women’s education. Professor Peng Liyuan’s charismatic diplomacy has played a positive role in enhancing foreign people’s goodwill towards China and China’s soft power.

　　Finally, Wang Yi said that in December last year, General Secretary of the Supreme Leader systematically summed up the historic achievements and valuable experience of diplomacy of a big country with China characteristics in the new era at the Central Foreign Affairs Working Conference, and sketched the top-level design of China’s diplomatic strategy on the new journey. This visit is the concrete implementation of the spirit of the Central Foreign Affairs Working Conference and another successful practice of the supreme leader’s diplomatic thought. The visit of the Chairman of the Supreme Leader to Europe sent out a strong voice of peace, unity and cooperation, which fully reflected the global vision, feelings of the world and the responsibility of the times of the leaders of the Congress Party, and once again showed that China has become a responsible big country with more international influence, innovative leadership and moral appeal. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the 70th anniversary of the publication of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. Looking back on the journey to Qian Shan, looking forward to Wan Muchun. We will continue to thoroughly study and implement the spirit of the Central Foreign Affairs Working Conference, hold high the banner of building a community of human destiny under the guidance of the supreme leader’s diplomatic thoughts, and create a new situation in which diplomacy of a big country with China characteristics will be more effective with a more proactive historical responsibility and a more dynamic creative spirit.