Pakistan
On Tuesday, President Xi Jinping had a phone conversation with Pakistani Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan.
Xi called Pakistan China’s “most reliable iron-clad brother” and assured that his government will continue to support Pakistan in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, jointly building the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and strengthening cooperation in agriculture, digital economy, counterterrorism, and security cooperation.
Imran Khan responded that Pakistan “staunchly pursues” the one-China policy and supports China’s stance on Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xinjiang and human rights. He also promised to promote the building of CPEC and firmly backed the Global Development Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping.
France
On the same day, Xi also spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron. Xi stressed that both sides must advance cooperation in “traditional areas” such as civil nuclear energy, aviation and aerospace, and also expand cooperation in newer fields such as artificial intelligence, bio-pharmacy, and ocean affairs.
He added that the two sides should also tap into the cooperation potential in areas like connectivity, digital technology, environmental protection, scientific and technological innovation, and health care, and expand the scope of China-European Union (EU) cooperation.
Macron responded that he wishes to deepen EU-China cooperation in economy, trade, climate change, and biodiversity conservation. He also called for coordination with China at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Italy and the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties in Glasgow. Furthermore, he expressed hope that the EU-China investment agreement will soon come into force.
Serbia
On Wednesday, Serbian PM Ana Brnabić met with State Councilor and Foreign Minister (FM) Wang Yi in Belgrade.
Wang said that the two sides must “promote key projects” of the Belt and Road Initiative and expand collaboration in the green economy, clean energy, efficient energy use, Internet+, cross-border e-commerce, big data, cloud computing, smart city, and 5G.
Brnabic thanked China for its help during the COVID-19 pandemic and extended her government’s support to President Xi Jinping’s Global Development Initiative. She highlighted the importance of China’s friendship with Serbia, saying: “No matter how the international landscape evolves and what pressures we suffer, Serbia will resolutely pursue friendly policies toward China.”
Greece
On the same day, Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis met with Wang in Athens. Wang declared that China is willing to advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, including by building the Port of Piraeus, accelerating the construction of the China-Europe Land-Sea Express Line, and expanding cooperation in new areas such as renewable energy.
Mitsotakis appreciated China’s achievements in the field of environmental protection and said that his government is willing to expand bilateral cooperation in green development, scientific and technological innovation, and jointly tackling climate change.
Chinese Diplomacy Round-Up: 23 - 29 October, 2021
This week, Chinese diplomats held meetings with officials from Pakistan, France, Serbia, and Greece.
October 29, 2021
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. SOURCE: XINHUA