On February 7, Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Minister of the Communist Party of China, jointly held the third round of the China-Sweden Strategic Dialogue at the Foreign Minister-level with Swiss Federal Councilor and Foreign Minister Cassis in Beijing.
Straight News: On the eve of the Spring Festival, Norway and Switzerland have visited China and actively interacted with China, what do you think?
Geng Xin: Norway, Switzerland and China have been actively interacting recently, especially the news reports on the China-Norway Foreign Ministers' Meeting are very detailed, specific and transparent, which not only shows the good relations between China and Norway and the high degree of consensus between the two sides, but also shows that China's diplomacy is showing a new posture of being more pragmatic and open.
In terms of form, this report broke the past practice of "talking more and reporting less", and increased the intensity of reporting with a more open mind, demonstrating China's pragmatic self-confidence in diplomacy. In terms of content, many reports also have some new formulations, which convey some new signals about China's diplomacy, which deserve attention.
For example, Wang Yi clearly pointed out that China appreciates Norway's "objective, rational and friendly view of China's development, adherence to the one-China principle, and adherence to friendship with China". In fact, a new concept of "two insistences" has been put forward here, that is, not only between China and Norway, but also in the way China and developed countries, especially Europe and the United States, we must adhere to the mutual understanding of "objectivity, rationality, and friendliness" and adhere to the jointly established one-China principle, which has become the basis for the way China gets along with all countries.
Wang Yi also clearly reiterated that although the world is entering a "new period of turbulence and change", the global political, economic and security situation is full of uncertainties. However, the general direction of the people's pursuit of peace and development will not change, the general logic of human civilization will not change, and the general trend of the international community sharing a common destiny will not change. China and other countries should be a force for stability, peace and prosperity in the international community. These "three assessments" and the "two insistences" mentioned above complement each other and constitute a new pattern of China's foreign policy and practice today.
In addition, we should note that there are some factors that have caused turbulent changes in the world, especially in the United States this year, and Trump is likely to make a comeback. At that time, there may be a new situation that China and Europe, including Norway and Switzerland, will have to face, with both challenges and opportunities. Although it will not "turn the world upside down," it will certainly produce variables, and although such changes will also affect the overall strength of the United States itself and the development of the entire world pattern, China and Europe will certainly bear the brunt of the impact.
Because from the perspective of the United States, China is its main partner and competitor, and Europe is the largest comprehensive ally of the United States, if Trump comes to power, how will he deal with China and Europe? This becomes a variable. Therefore, China and other European countries are facing the pressure of a new change, and we should all take precautions and prepare for emergencies. Therefore, there is a stronger reason and a greater need for cooperation between China and the EU.
Author丨Geng Xin, special commentator of Shenzhen Satellite TV's "Live Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan".
Editor丨Lai Chenlu, editor-in-chief of Shenzhen Satellite TV Direct News.