Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at Munich Security Council
By Manish Anand
New Delhi, February 18: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has sounded conciliatory notes with the western block. He has asserted that the Chinese economy is still resilient, accounting for one-third of the global growth.
In his remarks at the Munich Security Council in Germany, the Chinese foreign minister sought to deepen the recent exchanges with leaders of the western block to repair the strained relations after the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Wang, while taking part in a discussion at the Munich Security Council, said that “the Chinese economy last year grew by 5.2 per cent, accounting for one third of global growth”. Wang asserted: “It is widely shared in the global business community that the next China is still China.”
In the diplomatic community, China is seen facing the challenge to counter the European trend of ‘de-risk’ and the American push for ‘de-couple’, which are terms used to describe economic disengagement with Beijing. Also, ‘China Plus’ has been gaining ascendency in the economic worldview with India being seen as the next China in the making. This is also reflected in the flow of the foreign direct investment which became net negative for China last year while also tanking the Chinese stock markets.
Wang said at the conference that the “Chinese economy is as vibrant and resilient as ever. It is showing more robust momentum of long-term growth.” The remarks of the top Chinese diplomat assume significance as the US in the last few weeks has shown eagerness to engage Beijing to buy peace in the Middle East where the Iran-backed Houthi rebels are disrupting the maritime trade through the Red Sea in the aftermath of the Israeli bombings of Gaza.
The top Chinese diplomat in a meeting with Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, underlined that “China is willing to work with the EU to promote an inclusive economic globalization that delivers benefits for all, and make bigger the pie of cooperation so as to achieve common development and prosperity”.
He also sent out a message to Washington for deepening the economic engagements. Wang said: “Past experience and lessons show that when China and the US work together, great things can be accomplished for the two countries and the entire world. Confrontational posture between the two countries hurts both sides and the world at large.”
China also sough to alley fears that Beijing could be a disruptive force in the world affairs. He said: “No matter how the world changes, China, as a responsible major country, will keep its major principles and policies consistent and stable and serve as a staunch force for stability in a turbulent world.”
Subscribe: youtube.com/@TheRaisinaHills Join: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaFAp9b60eBiuA8v1x0s
About The Author
