Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Wednesday in Guangzhou, south China, calling for a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis.
China and Ukraine are friends to each other. Everything that stands out in bilateral exchanges is about friendship and cooperation. The two countries established a strategic partnership more than a decade ago, and have respected each other and treated each other as equals. Mutually beneficial cooperation has made steady headway, said Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.
The presidents of the two countries stressed the importance to view and envision bilateral relations from a long-term perspective, and make sure that bilateral relations and cooperation will keep moving forward, said Wang, adding that the two countries need to follow this guidance, maintain communication and exchanges, enhance mutual trust, carry forward traditional friendship, promote the people-to-people bond, and achieve sound and steady growth of China-Ukraine relations.
Noting that the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China ushered in a new journey of comprehensively deepening reform, Wang said that China's all-round modernization endeavor will bring new opportunities to people from all countries.
Ukraine is one of the first countries to support and participate in Belt and Road cooperation, and China has remained Ukraine's largest trading partner and the largest export destination of agricultural products in recent years, said Wang, adding that the bilateral trade has shown a momentum of rapid growth in the first half of this year, demonstrating the space and potential of bilateral cooperation.
The two sides need to give full play to cooperation mechanisms between the two countries and enhance practical cooperation in various fields, Wang said.
China will continue to increase food imports from Ukraine and work together to keep logistics corridors open and ensure global food security, Wang continued.
The Chinese foreign minister thanked the Ukrainian side for the help it provided for the evacuation of Chinese nationals, especially the Chinese students in Ukraine, when the conflict broke out, and expressed the hope that Ukraine will continue to work effectively to keep Chinese personnel and institutions safe in Ukraine.
The Ukraine crisis has entered its third year, and the conflict is still going on with risks of escalation and spillover, said Wang.
Noting that China remains firmly committed to a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, Wang said the four principles laid out by President Xi Jinping form China's fundamental approach to finding a solution to the crisis.
On this basis, Wang said that China and Brazil have jointly outlined six common understandings for a political resolution of the Ukraine crisis, including three principles for managing the conflict, three elements for a peace plan, three humanitarian concerns, as well as important measures to prevent nuclear risks and ensure the stability of industrial and supply chains.
These consensus has garnered widespread support and response from the international community, Wang added.
China believes that all conflicts have to end at the negotiating table, and all disputes must be resolved through political means, Wang said, adding that recently both Ukraine and Russia have shown willingness for negotiations.
Although the conditions and timing are not yet ripe, China supports all efforts conducive to peace and stands ready to continue to play a constructive role for a ceasefire and resumption of peace talks, Wang said, adding that China is closely following the humanitarian situation in Ukraine and will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to the country.
Ukraine highly appreciates China's positive and constructive role in promoting peace and maintaining international order, Kuleba said.
Kuleba said the Ukrainian side attaches importance to China's opinions and has carefully studied six common understandings jointly outlined by China and Brazil for a political resolution of the Ukraine crisis.
The Ukrainian side is willing and ready to conduct dialog and negotiation with Russia, Kuleba said, adding that negotiations should be rational and substantive and aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace.
Noting that China is a great country, and Ukraine and China are not only strategic partners but also important economic and trade partners, Kuleba said the Ukrainian side supports China's position on the Taiwan issue and will continue to adhere to the one-China policy.
The Ukrainian side hopes to jointly implement the important consensus between the heads of state of China and Ukraine, consolidate political mutual trust, activate cooperation in various fields including economy, trade and agriculture, and strengthen exchanges between the two countries' sister cities.
The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of mutual concern.
Chinese FM calls for political settlement of Ukraine crisis
Chinese FM calls for political settlement of Ukraine crisis
Chinese FM calls for political settlement of Ukraine crisis
