EXCHANGES

“The Global Development lnitiative (GDl) is another major initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping after the Belt and Road lnitiative. lt is another clarion call to mobilize global development cooperation and another endorsement of putting people front and center as a core concept of human rights. The initiative has drawn up a roadmap for narrowing the North-South gap and addressing development imbalances, and given a boost to the 2030 Agenda. China will work with all countries to pursue and follow through on the GDl.”- State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi indicated at a press conference about China’s foreign policy and external relationson March 7, 2022.

Xi Holds Virtual Summit with Leaders of France, Germany

Chinese President Xi Jinping had a virtual summit with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on March 8.

Noting that China and the EU share much common understanding on promoting peace,seeking development, and advancing cooperation, Xi said that responsibilities must be shouldered to bring more stability and certainty to a turbulent and fluid world.

Xi said it is important for the two sides to enhance dialogue, stay committed to cooperation, and promote steady and sustained progress in China-EU relations.

China’s development will create broader

space for China-EU cooperation, Xi said, adding that the two sides must, under the principle of mutual benefit and win-win results, further deepen green and digital partnerships as well as practical cooperation in various fields.

Macron and Scholz indicated that the European side values the important and positive role of China in global affairs and is willing to engage in close cooperation with China to jointly tackle climate change, public health, and other major global challenges.

The leaders exchanged views on key issues of the current situation in Ukraine.

France and Germany support reaching a

settlement through negotiation and giving peace a chance, Macron and Scholz indicated.

The two leaders said the two countries are ready to strengthen communication and coordination with China to promote talks for peace and prevent further escalation of the situation that may worsen the humanitarian crisis.

Xi stressed that the current situation in

Ukraine is worrisome, and the Chinese side is deeply grieved by the outbreak of war again on the European continent.

China maintains that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected, purposes and principles of the UN Charter be fully observed, legitimate security concerns of all countries be taken seriously, and all efforts that are conducive to the peaceful settlement of the crisis be supported, Xi stressed. The pressing task at the moment is to prevent the tense situation from escalating or spiraling out of control, Xi noted.

We need to call for maximum restraint to prevent a massive humanitarian crisis, Xi said,adding that China has put forward a six-point initiative on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine and stands ready to provide Ukraine with further humanitarian aid supplies.

We need to work together to reduce the negative impact of the crisis, Xi said, adding that relevant sanctions will affect global finance, energy,transportation and stability of supply chains, and dampen the global economy that is already ravaged by the pandemic. And this is in the interest of no one.

We need to actively advocate a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, Xi said.

Premier Li Keqiang Meets the Press

The fifth session of the 13th National People’s Congress held a press conference at the Great Hall of the People on March 11, 2022. Premier Li Keqiang met with Chinese and foreign reporters and answered their questions.

With respect to economic growth, Li indicated, “We face new downside pressures and challenges with much complexity and rising uncertainty. With China’s GDP exceeding RMB100 trillion, a 5.5 percent increase would generate the amount of output equivalent to the size of a medium economy.” Hitting this goal is not easy and would need the support of a series of macro policies, Li noted.

Regarding further improvement of people’s lives, Li said, “We have managed to keep fiscal spending on education above four percent of GDP for 10 consecutive years.” He then added,“We will increase government funding to compulsory education in rural and remote areas.” In addition, Li emphasized that China has established the world’s largest medical insurance system covering some 1.4 billion people. China has also established a program of medical insurance for major illnesses, using basic medical insurance funds for the purchase of commercial insurance for major illnesses. In some places this program has enabled reimbursement of RMB 300,000 to 500,000 for some illnesses. On average, some 70 percent of medical bills of rural and urban non-working residents can get reimbursed and the benefits will continue to rise as the country’s capacity grows.

Senior Chinese Diplomat Meets U.S. National Security Advisor

Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC)Central Committee, met with U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on March 14 in Rome, capital of Italy.

The two sides agreed to jointly implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, increase understanding, manage differences, expand consensus, and strengthen cooperation so as to enable conditions for bringing China-U.S. relations back on the track of sound and steady development.

Stressing that the Taiwan question concerns China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, Yang said in the three Sino-U.S. Joint Communiques, the U.S. side explicitly recognized that there is only one China and that the one-China principle is the premise for establishing diplomatic relations between China and the United States as well as the political foundation of their relations.

The current U.S. administration has pledged to adhere to the one-China policy and not support “Taiwan independence,” Yang Jiechi noted that certain actions of the U.S.are obviously inconsistent with its statements.

Yang also expounded on China’s solemn position on issues related to Xinjiang, Tibet,and Hong Kong, pointing out that these issues concern China’s core interests and are China’s internal affairs in which no foreign interference will be tolerated. Any attempt to use these issues to suppress China will fail, he said.

The two sides should learn from history, grasp the premise of mutual respect, hold the bottom line of peaceful coexistence and seize the key of win-win cooperation, he said.