China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently held a significant phone call with his French counterpart, Jean-Noël Barrot, during which China conveyed strong positions on the Taiwan issue and NATO's role in the Asia-Pacific, alongside broader discussions on trade and bilateral relations
A statement from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted these crucial points, emphasising China's core interests and regional security perspectives.
During the conversation, Minister Wang Yi reiterated that the Taiwan issue is "fundamentally different" from the Ukraine issue, a distinction consistently made by Beijing. China views Taiwan as an inalienable part of its territory and its internal affairs, firmly opposing any attempts to mischaracterise or distort its nature by drawing parallels with the conflict in Ukraine.
Minister Wang Yi expressed China's clear opposition to NATO's interference in Asia-Pacific affairs and voiced hopes that France would adhere to a "correct" position. China has consistently warned against what it perceives as an eastward expansion of NATO, arguing that such moves could stir up tensions and create confrontation in the region, undermining peace and stability. Beijing maintains that Asia-Pacific countries do not welcome NATO's presence and that the region certainly does not need an "Asia-Pacific NATO."
Despite these firm stances on sensitive issues, the call also touched upon areas of cooperation. Both sides reached a consensus on solving trade and economic issues through dialogue, indicating a shared commitment to managing bilateral differences. Minister Wang Yi emphasized the need for China and France to respect each other's core interests and enhance the healthy development of China-EU relations, underscoring France's pivotal role within the European Union.
In a forward-looking gesture, China's Foreign Minister extended an invitation to French representatives to attend an upcoming Artificial Intelligence conference in Shanghai, signalling an openness to collaboration in emerging technological fields.
The phone call underscores the complex yet vital nature of the China-France relationship, as both nations navigate global challenges and seek to balance cooperation with firm assertions of their respective geopolitical positions.
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