Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Luxembourg Xavier Bettel in Beijing on Monday.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that the bilateral relations have achieved long-term and steady development since the establishment of diplomatic ties more than 50 years ago.
China speaks highly of Luxembourg's positive and practical policy toward China, and stands ready to work with Luxembourg to consolidate political mutual trust, enhance complementarity, create new growth points for green development cooperation, increase people-to-people exchanges and push for further progress in bilateral relations, he said.
Wang noted that next year marks the 50th anniversary of China-EU diplomatic relations. China and the EU are partners not rivals, he said, expressing the hope that the EU side will uphold its strategic autonomy. China is willing to work with Luxembourg to promote the sustained and sound development of China-EU relations, Wang said.
Bettel said that Luxembourg firmly adheres to the one-China principle and looks forward to closer cooperation with China. As one of the founding members of the EU, Luxembourg is willing to enhance EU-China mutual trust and promote EU-China partnership.
Bettel noted that China is a major country worthy of trust, voicing the hope that China will play a bigger role in world peace and stability.
Chinese FM holds talks with deputy PM of Luxembourg
Lien Te-an, a 30-year-old Yajia athlete representing Taiwan region's ethnic minority delegation, showcased sportsmanship in the 12th National Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities of China in Sanya City of south China's Hainan Province, bringing home honor and friendship.
On Sunday morning, Lien claimed victory against the representative from Heilongjiang Province in the 85-kilogram weight class Yajia competition, a Tibetan traditional sport akin to tug-of-war but played back to back. Secured a two-to-zero win, his marvelous performance earned him resounding cheers from the audience.
"(My opponent) is of great strength. It was a tough win. I just pulled with all my strength," said Lien.
Similarly, Lien's friend Kanat Hami, representing the delegation from Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, also defeated his opponent with a two to zero score. After his victory, Lien went directly to the lounge to congratulate his "old brother" from Xinjiang and thanked his instructions and help.
"They just taught me techniques and helped me to warm up," said Lien.
The friendship between the two athletes dates back to the 11th National Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities of China in 2019, where Kanat won first place and Lien claimed third. Both groups have been in close contact since then, competing and communicating with each other every now and then.
"Every time he finishes his match, we will communicate with them and seek advice, trying to learn from their experiences. They are all very modest and nice people. We feel like at home," said Lien. In addition to his success in Yajia, Lien is a seasoned luger who represented Chinese Taipei at the 2014 Winter Olympics. After experiencing the game years ago, Lien's enthusiasm for this game of strength and stamina was ignited.
"All I know is to dash forward with all my strength, and never give up," said Lien, sharing his experience after years of practice.
Beyond competition, Lien also cherishes the opportunity to understand the mainland more. He hopes to visit Xinjiang, the hometown of his "old brother," and explore more of the mainland. Taking the chance, he is also planning to tour around Sanya City, and share his experience here, as well as all the charismatic traditional sports of China's ethnic minorities, upon his returning to Taiwan.
"If given the chance, I would surely introduce to more people about it. The once-every-four-years game brings us together, and offers us a chance to reunite with old friends, and fight together for the sports," said Lien.
Taiwan athlete brings home honor, friendship after attending Ethnic Minority Games
