Russia
On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin had a phone conversation with Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and the Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, Yang Jiechi. Referring to Moscow’s recent launch of nuclear energy projects in China, Putin said that Russia-China relations have reached the best level in history and that it was vital for their leaders to maintain close communication.
Yang noted that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the Treaty of Good-neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation between China and Russia. In this regard, he assured Putin that China is ready to work with Russia to expand the outcomes of their strategic coordination.
Africa
On the same day, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended and addressed the reception celebrating the 58th Africa Day in Beijing. Yang said in his speech: “Africa Day is also a festival shared by both China and Africa... No matter how the international situations may change, the friendship between China and Africa will remain as firm as a rock and stand firm as ever.”
Wang noted that China has remained Africa’s largest trading partner for 12 consecutive years and maintained steady growth in direct investment in Africa. He further stressed the importance of the relationship by saying: “Over 1,100 cooperation projects have been running to help Africa resume work and production. The China-Africa cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative has been deepening and yielding solid results. 46 African countries and the African Union Commission have signed cooperation agreements with China... At present, over 85% of the eight initiatives proposed at the 2018 Beijing Summit have been implemented, and a large number of cooperation projects have taken root, providing strong support for Africa’s economic recovery.”
Bangladesh
Wang Yi had a phone conversation with Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Abul Kalam Abdul Momen on Friday (May 21, 2021), wherein he expressed hope that the two countries will “advance the Belt and Road cooperation, ensure early completion of key projects, expand cooperation in the fields of information, communication and digital economy, and create new prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation.”
In response, Abul Kalam Abdul Momen extended congratulations on the successful Mars landing of China’s probe and expressed his gratitude for China’s assistance to Bangladesh during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Philippines
Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wu Jianghao, and Philippine Deputy Foreign Minister Elizabeth Buensuceso co-chaired the Sixth Meeting of the China-Philippines Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) on the South China Sea in a virtual format on Friday (May 21, 2021).
Elizabeth noted that the BCM is an important initiative to implement the consensus of the leaders of the two countries and also a platform for the two sides to have candid and pragmatic exchanges on the South China Sea-related issue. Both sides also had an in-depth discussion on cooperation in maritime, oil and gas, fisheries, environmental protection, maritime search and rescue, marine scientific research and other areas.
Representatives from departments related to foreign affairs, national defence, natural resources, ecological environment, transportation, agriculture, energy, and coast guard of both countries attended the meeting. Three working groups under the BCM, including Political and Security Affairs, Fisheries Affairs, Marine Scientific Research and Environmental Protection, also held meetings on the margins of the BCM.
Malaysia
Premier Li Keqiang held a video conference with Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin on Friday (May 21, 2021). Li assured the prime minister that China is ready to deepen cooperation with Malaysia in fields such as economy, trade and investment, digital economy, manufacturing, agriculture and maritime transportation infrastructure construction. He also said that China will encourage its enterprises to invest in Malaysia.
Muhyiddin welcomed the possible investment from Chinese enterprises and said that the Malaysian side stands ready to strengthen bilateral cooperation in areas such as economy, trade and investment, digital economy, high and new technology, industrial parks, and agriculture.
Chinese Diplomacy: Weekly Round-Up (21-28 May, 2021)
This week, Chinese diplomats held meetings with officials from Russia, Africa, Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Malaysia.
May 28, 2021
SOURCE: FMPRC