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Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Foreign Ministers’ meeting promotes regional cooperation

A meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) was held in Astana, the capital city of Kazakhstan, on May 20-21.

The meeting was preparatory to the Astana SCO Summit, which is scheduled to be held on July 3-4.

Presiding over the meeting, Murat Nurtleu, Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, welcomed participants and called for a moment of silence to honour Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, and others who died in the helicopter crash on May 19.

The meeting agreed to enhance cooperation in ensuring regional security and combating terrorism, extremism, separatism, drug trafficking, and cybercrime, among other areas. A special focus was placed on the organisation’s growth, with Belarus expected to complete all necessary procedures for admission to full membership at the July summit.

Addressing the ministers, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev expressed his deep condolences to the people and leadership of Iran following the tragic death of President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian. He also acknowledged the participation of Iranian representatives despite their nation’s difficult time and welcomed Belarus to its first Foreign Ministers’ Council in Astana.

Amid global strategic uncertainty, Tokayev stressed the importance of an integrated approach that considers all parties’ interests and the constant search for compromises. He voiced his belief that the time has come to collectively promote the ideals and values of peaceful and harmonious development for the sake of all humanity.

Addressing the situation in Afghanistan, he stressed the need to prevent a humanitarian crisis and create conditions for long-term stabilisation. He reiterated the importance of Kazakhstan’s initiative to establish the United Nations’ Regional Centre for Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.

In his speech to the meeting, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that SCO member countries have been important partners for China in high-level opening-up and high-quality development.

Valuing the SCO’s role, Wang said the Shanghai Spirit, which features mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diverse civilisations and pursuit of common development, has become the fundamental principle of the SCO’s continuous growth and a banner for promoting new types of international relations.

He put forward four suggestions during the meeting: to maintain strategic autonomy and strengthen unity and cooperation; to share security responsibilities and lift cooperation to higher levels; to pursue inclusive and win-win cooperation and empower joint development; and to embrace openness and inclusiveness and deepen exchanges and mutual learning.

China is willing to work with SCO partners to actively advocate for a multipolar world with equality and order and inclusive economic globalisation, and to promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, he added.

In a meeting with the Kazakh President on May 20, Tokayev asked Wang to convey his sincere greetings to President Xi Jinping, noting that China’s international status continues to rise and its role in the world is increasingly significant. The country is making greater contributions to global peace and stability, and the international community is paying more attention to China’s voice. He looked forward to the Chinese President’s state visit in July.

He also highly evaluated Kazakh-Chinese relations within the framework of international organisations, including the United Nations (UN), Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA).

“Kazakhstan has been and remains a reliable partner of China. We are doing everything possible to implement the agreements that were reached earlier. We are working together and advancing our relationship into the future,” he added.

Wang responded that China would continue to firmly support Kazakhstan in safeguarding its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, support President Tokayev’s series of development strategies and important measures, and resolutely oppose any external forces interfering in Kazakhstan’s internal affairs.

During the country’s historical process of building a New Kazakhstan, China is willing to be a reliable and long-term partner, supporting the diversification of Kazakhstan’s economic development and promoting cooperation in emerging industries such as e-commerce, new energy and artificial intelligence.

The same day, Wang Yi met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Murat Nurtleu, with the two men jointly meeting the press following their talks.

Wang said that, as Kazakhstan recently suffered from severe floods, China is willing to continue providing as much help as possible to assist in the reconstruction work.

He further noted that both sides spoke highly of the fruitful outcomes of their cooperation. According to Chinese statistics, bilateral trade reached 41 billion US dollars last year, achieving the target set by the two heads of state seven years ahead of schedule. To date, 26 out of the 45 capacity cooperation projects have been completed, in such sectors as mining and metals, energy resources, machinery manufacturing, building materials, chemicals and infrastructure construction. Cooperation in oil and gas and in nuclear energy is also accelerating.

Both sides praised the success of the China-Central Asia Summit in Xi’an, held in May 2023, which has ushered in a new phase of enhanced cooperation between China and Central Asia.

The Chinese side is eager to work alongside the Central Asian nations to strengthen and optimise the China-Central Asia cooperation mechanism, aiming to build a stable, prosperous, harmonious, and interconnected Central Asia, thereby injecting strong vitality into the building of a China-Central Asia community of shared future, Wang said.

Both sides will work to advance the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilisation Initiative, unequivocally oppose unilateralism and hegemonic behaviours, and promote the development of global governance towards a more just and reasonable direction.

Forging the broadest solidarity against US imperialist intervention in the South China Sea

Communist media in North America have spoken out against the latest moves by US imperialism to strengthen its web of alliances in the Pacific region, targeted principally on the People’s Republic of China.

On April 19, Otis Grotewohl, reporting on the April 11 meeting of US President Biden with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishima and President of the Philippines, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. wrote in Workers’ World that:

“While the White House claimed the meeting focused on ‘peace and security,’ Biden’s own ‘tough-talk’ description of the gathering could be perceived as a threatening gesture towards China and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, as well as all working-class and indigenous peoples residing near the Indo-Pacific and South China Seas.”

He added:

“The summit was met by a militant protest from a Philippine-led coalition that includes BAYAN USA, Malaya Movement USA and the Tuloy Ang Laban Coalition. Organisers of the event said they were particularly appalled by the showing of Marcos Jr., son of the former right-wing dictator, Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

“The elder Marcos was president from 1965-86 and ruled the Philippine islands under martial law from 1972 until 1981, with the full blessing of US and European imperialists. Many labour unionists and leftists disappeared and were gruesomely slain during Marcos’ ‘ironclad’ rule.”

He also outlined the history of the RIMPAC naval exercises, which have been held since 1971 and are the world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise. A final planning conference for the 2024 exercise was held at the Point Loma Annex Naval Base in San Diego on March 25-28. According to Grotewohl:

“Washington claims it is not using the event as a forum for provocations against the governments of China, DPRK or Russia, but its actions tell a different story. That China, DPRK and Russia are not allowed to attend RIMPAC exercises, but Israel is, exposes the hypocrisy of US leaders.”

Meanwhile, the April edition of TML Monthly, published online by the Communist Party of Canada (Marxist-Leninist) (CPCML) detailed the protests of national democratic organisations in the Philippines against the 39th US-Philippines Balikatan Joint Military Exercise, which began on April 22 and will end on May 18. These are the largest such war games to date, involving more than 17,000 US and Philippines soldiers, almost twice as many as last year.

This year, the Australian Defence Force and French navy are also joining the war games. Eighteen other countries, including Canada, are participating as “observers.”

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), a broad alliance of progressive and patriotic Filipino organisations, called the military war games “a shameful proof of the subservient foreign policy of the administration of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. by allowing the increased presence and intervention of genocide-enabling and imperialist foreign military forces.”

The Philippine human rights organisation Karapatan also condemned Balikatan 2024, pointing out that the heavy presence of US troops on the Philippines islands is a violation of the sovereignty of the Filipino people and a provocation against China which could lead to a military conflict between the two countries with people of the Philippines in the middle. Karapatan pointedly denounced the recent first-time deployment of the US mid-range Typhon missile system which is capable of reaching the Chinese mainland. The missiles were introduced in the context of the Balikatan war games, Karapatan noted, further signalling the US intention “to use Philippine territory as a launching pad for hostile acts against China.”

Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment also underscored that the US plans to use the Philippines as cannon fodder in confronting China. “History has also shown that US intervention has always led to war and tragedy – and widespread, long-term environmental destruction, as well. These have been seen in the US-led wars in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Ukraine, and Palestine,” the organisation said.

Bayan called on the Filipino people to resist the Balikatan war drills, oppose the US provocations in the region and expel US military facilities and other foreign troops in the country.

For its part, Karapatan called on the freedom-loving people of the Philippines and the world to “forge the broadest solidarity front against US imperialist intervention and war-mongering in the South China Sea and in other areas of the world.”

The following articles were originally published by Workers World and TML Monthly.

U.S.-led ‘Trilateral Summit’ promotes militarism in the Pacific

President Joe Biden met with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishima and the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., on April 11. Dubbed as the “Philippines-U.S.-Japan Trilateral Summit,” the event was held in Washington, D.C.

While the White House claimed the meeting focused on “peace and security,” Biden’s own “tough-talk” description of the gathering could be perceived as a threatening gesture towards China and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, as well as all working-class and Indigenous peoples residing near the Indo-Pacific and South China Seas.

DPRK exposes US military strategy in the Pacific

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the official news agency of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), published two important commentaries in April concerning US strategy in the Asia-Pacific region, noting that its principal target is China.

Writing on April 12, Jong Min, an international security analyst, focused on the US attempt to deploy intermediate-range missiles in the region.

He said that not long ago, the US army Pacific commander claimed that the Chinese army is taking an irresponsible way in the use of military means, adding that the US forces are planning to deploy new intermediate-range missiles in the Asia-Pacific region later this year to restrain China.

Jong adds: “Not content with persistently escalating the situation and inciting constant war fever through frequent dispatch of strategic assets to the Asia-Pacific region, the US is scheming to deploy even ground-launched intermediate-range missiles capable of directly aiming at specific countries in the region and promptly striking them at any moment. This clearly shows what phase the US ambition for military supremacy has reached.”

He notes that the US started to develop and modernise intermediate-range missiles, as soon as it unilaterally withdraw from the Treaty on the Elimination of Intermediate-Range and Shorter-Range Missiles between Russia and US in August 2019 and completed the development of an intermediate-range missile system by the end of 2022.

“This fact goes to prove that the US attempt to deploy intermediate-range missiles in the Asia-Pacific region is not a defensive step to cope with ‘threat’ from someone but a product of the offensive and hegemonic military strategy which has been steadily pushed forward in a sequential and planned way for a long time.

“The US attempt to deploy intermediate-range missiles is dangerous enough to explosively aggravate the political and military situation in the Asia-Pacific region, trigger off strong rebuff and counteraction of China and other regional countries and spark off a fierce arms race in the region.

“In view of the range of those missiles, their deployment in Guam, Hawaii and other territories of the US has no military significance. Accordingly, they will have to be deployed in such allies of the US in the Asia-Pacific region as Japan and the puppet Republic of Korea (ROK).

“The US arms buildup to check China’s peaceful development and growth and restrain it militarily will inevitably invoke strong countermeasures. And Japan and the puppet ROK or any third country might be well aware of the fact that they would be the first target of military retaliation if the US intermediate-range missiles were deployed in their territories.

“After all, the US deployment of intermediate-range missiles in the Asia-Pacific region is not for protecting its junior allies. On the contrary, it will lead them to the fate of being victims and sacrifices of the US strategy for hegemony.”

Then, on April 25, international affairs analyst Kang Jin Song commented on the US attempt to expand the AUKUS military alliance, presently consisting of Australia, Britain and the United States, to other countries, starting with Japan.

He notes that since its founding, AUKUS has been called a nuclear mine planted in the waters of the Asia-Pacific as ‘the Anglo-Saxon nuclear submarine alliance’ for seeking nuclear supremacy in the Asia-Pacific region by detouring the international nuclear non-proliferation system.

It is the sinister intention of the US to make Japan a crewmember of a confrontation ship called AUKUS and put it at the outpost line of the anti-China pressure and push the nuclear minefield in the Asia-Pacific region closer to China.

He goes on to outline how the Biden administration recently held a tripartite summit of the US, Japan and the Philippines in the wake of a US-Japan summit to call for strengthened security cooperation between Manila and Tokyo, as well as Canberra and Seoul.

“This is mainly aimed at building double and triple infrastructure for implementing the ‘integrated deterrence strategy’ against China by ultimately putting together tools designed for achieving supremacy existing in the Asia-Pacific region in a ‘latticed’ way.

“The reality goes to prove once again that the ‘competition accompanied by dialogue’ with China and the ‘installation of a guard rail’ in bilateral relations, heard from US public officials, are nothing but deceptive slogans and their thinking and practice are oriented to anti-China confrontation from A to Z.

“Owing to the establishment of a ‘small group’ of the US whose arch enemy is China and its ceaseless attempt to expand the group, the Asia-Pacific region, where opportunities and potentials for development are richer than any other region of the world, is turning into a theatre of muscle-flexing and a touch-and-go nuclear minefield.”

The following articles were originally published by KCNA.

Asian ‘Nato’ encircles China

Writing in the Morning Star, Fiona Edwards provides a useful and detailed analysis of recent developments in the US-led campaign of China encirclement.

Fiona describes a number of alarming steps taken by the US in the month of April: the announcement of a proposal for Japan to join AUKUS; a trilateral agreement between the US, Japan and the Philippines; and the first joint naval and air drills between the US, Australia, Japan and the Philippines in the South China Sea. Fiona observes that “these new initiatives aim to bolster the US’s already substantial military encirclement of China, threatening to destabilise the region and lay the foundations for a US-led hot war against China.”

The US has appointed itself “the world’s policeman”, and uses this role to justify its increasing militarisation of the South China Sea, claiming a responsibility to preserve freedom of navigation. One small detail is that there is not a single case of China having impeded freedom of navigation. Meanwhile, as Fiona points out, “the South China Sea is 12,000 kilometres away from the US … Beijing is not conducting naval exercises off the coast of California and has no military bases surrounding the US.”

Recent foreign policy shifts by the Philippines and Japan are particularly dangerous. As the article points out, the previous Filipino administration pursued a policy of neutrality which served to facilitate win-win cooperation between the Philippines and China and contributed to the cause of peace in the region. Meanwhile, “the plan to invite Japan into Aukus threatens to escalate Japanese militarism and encourage Japan to move even further away from its post-War World II pacifist constitution.”

The article correctly concludes: “The US’s increasing militarisation of the Asia-Pacific is a key component of Washington’s global war drive. It should be vigorously opposed by all those who want to stop the US dragging everyone into another world war.”

Major new announcements this month indicate that the US is intent on escalating its military interference in the Asia-Pacific and the seas around China.

The first announcement by the defence ministers of the US, Britain and Australia on the April 8 2024, revealed that the Aukus military alliance is seeking to expand with plans to invite Japan into the anti-China pact.

This was followed by another announcement, three days later, at a summit in Washington between the US President Joe Biden, Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida and the President of the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos Jnr, where a new trilateral agreement between the countries was unveiled, including plans to conduct joint naval exercises in the South China Sea this year.

Days before this announcement, on April 7, the first joint naval and air drills between the US, Australia, Japan and the Philippines took place in the South China Sea.

These new initiatives aim to bolster the US’s already substantial military encirclement of China, threatening to destabilise the region and lay the foundations for a US-led hot war against China.

Year of DPRK-China Friendship strengthens mutual support and cooperation for the socialist cause

The Friendship Year, marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), was formally inaugurated with an April 11-13 visit to the Korean capital Pyongyang by a Chinese party and government delegation led by Zhao Leji, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC).

Zhao Leji met with DPRK top leader Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) and President of the State Affairs of the DPRK, towards the end of his visit.

Zhao extended to Kim the kind regards and good wishes of General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Xi Jinping.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and the DPRK, and the journey of the past 75 years epitomised good neighbourliness and friendship as the two countries stood side by side, fighting together and sharing a common destiny and common development, he said.

Zhao pointed out that the China-DPRK friendship, established and cultivated meticulously by the elder generations of revolutionists of both parties and both countries, has withstood various tests of the changing international situation and is an invaluable asset of the two countries.

The CPC and the Chinese government have always treated the China-DPRK relations from a strategic height and long-term perspective, and it is China’s unwavering policy to maintain, consolidate and develop the China-DPRK traditional friendly and cooperative relations.

Kim Jong Un extended his warm congratulations over the development achievements that China has made in the pursuit of its socialist cause under the strong leadership of General Secretary Xi and the CPC. He stressed that the DPRK-China relations have boasted a profound historical tradition, having withstood various tests and been passed on from generation to generation.

It is the unwavering policy of the WPK and the DPRK government to consolidate and develop the traditional friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries. The relationship is continuously developing to new and higher stages in line with the demands of the new era.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) added that Kim Jong Un affirmed that it is his consistent stand and the invariable and steadfast policy of the WPK and the government of the DPRK to develop the long-standing DPRK-China friendship decade after decade and century after century, expressing his expectation that the common will of the two parties and the two countries to dynamically promote the socialist cause and provide their peoples with substantial well-being by steadily carrying forward and developing these durable traditions of friendship would lead to responsible progress and successful fruition of the Year of DPRK-China Friendship.

Offering sincere congratulations to the Chinese party, government and people for registering remarkable successes in the struggle for implementing the tasks set forth at the 20th National Congress of the CPC, he expressed his hope that the fraternal Chinese people would make a more brilliant step forward in carrying out the historic task of building a modern and powerful socialist country this year marking the 75th founding anniversary of the PRC under the guidance of General Secretary Xi Jinping.

Following the talks, at a luncheon he hosted, Kim Jong Un proposed a toast to the eternal development of socialism in the two countries, longevity, and good health of General Secretary Xi Jinping and to the successful DPRK visit of the party and government delegation of the PRC led by Zhao Leji.

On April 11, in talks with his DPRK counterpart Choe Ryong Hae, Member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the DPRK’s Supreme People’s Assembly, Zhao said that the China-DPRK traditional friendship was established and cultivated meticulously by the elder generations of leaders of both parties and both countries.

General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Xi Jinping has repeatedly said that the CPC and the Chinese government attach great importance to the traditional friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries, and that it is China’s unwavering strategy to maintain, consolidate and develop bilateral relations.

China is ready to work with the DPRK to implement the important consensus reached by the top leaders of both parties and both countries and take the “China-DPRK Friendship Year” as an opportunity to intensify high-level exchanges, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, promote people-to-people exchanges and strengthen strategic coordination, so as to further promote and advance China-DPRK relations to continue to move forward.

Choe said the blood-cemented friendship between the two countries has a long history and profound foundation and is the common precious heritage and wealth of the two countries.

The opening ceremony for the China-DPRK Friendship Year was held on April 12. In his speech, Zhao Leji said that it has always been the steadfast strategic policy of the CPC and the Chinese government to safeguard, solidify and develop China-DPRK traditional friendly cooperation.

Xi Jinping: China and Vietnam are a like-minded pair bound by a common destiny

Following the recent China visit by Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, Vuong Dinh Hue, Chairman of the National Assembly of Vietnam, paid an April 7-12 visit at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart, Zhao Leji, Chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee.

In his first official engagement, Hue met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on April 8. While asking Vuong Dinh Hue to convey cordial greetings to Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee, Xi also said that during his visit to Vietnam at the end of last year, he and Nguyen Phu Trong had jointly announced the building of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance, thereby opening a new chapter in bilateral ties.

Under the joint efforts by the two sides, the consensus reached by him and Nguyen Phu Trong is being implemented, Xi added.

He said the most distinctive feature of China-Vietnam relations is that the two sides are a like-minded pair bound by a common destiny, and “comrades-plus-brothers” is the most vivid portrayal of the traditional friendship between the two parties and two countries.

He urged joint efforts by the two sides to promote more achievements in building a China-Vietnam community with a shared future, better serve their respective modernisation, further benefit the two peoples, and make greater contributions to the global socialist cause.

Amid the profound and complex changes in the international and regional landscape, it serves the common interest of China and Vietnam to safeguard the socialist system and maintain national stability and development.

He urged the two sides to foster a strong sense of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future based on a high level of mutual trust, consolidate the foundation for the vision with high-quality cooperation, and promote this vision with a high degree of political wisdom.

This emphasis on the importance of good China-Vietnam relations not only from the bilateral point of view but also for the global cause of socialism overall, which was stressed throughout Hue’s visit, has acquired particular importance since President Xi paid a state visit to Vietnam last December.

Vuong Dinh Hue conveyed the cordial greetings and best wishes from Nguyen Phu Trong to Xi, noting that the CPV and the Vietnamese government highly appreciate China’s development and progress. China’s two parliamentary sessions held this year set the goals of developing new quality productive forces, among others, which are innovative moves of socialism and provide useful references for Vietnam, he added.

Vietnam regards China as its top strategic priority in its foreign relations, Hue said, adding that the Vietnamese side will follow relevant goals set by Nguyen Phu Trong and Xi to maintain close communications and cooperation with China at various levels and continue to consolidate a high level of political mutual trust.

Xi Jinping holds talks with Indonesian president-elect Prabowo Subianto

Prabowo Subianto, President-elect of the Republic of Indonesia and Great Indonesia Movement Party General Chairman, paid a visit to China at the beginning of April. Prabowo was elected in February but will not assume office until October. Signifying his commitment to continue the friendly relations carefully nurtured by his outgoing predecessor President Joko Widodo, China was his first overseas destination since his election victory.

Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Prabowo on April 1. He congratulated Prabowo on winning the election and asked him to relay sincere greetings and best wishes to President Joko Widodo.

Recalling the rapidly developing and fruitful bilateral ties over the past decade under the guidance of the two heads of state, Xi said both sides have made the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway an exemplar of high-quality bilateral cooperation and entered a new stage of building a community with a shared future.

Xi said China and Indonesia are both representatives of major developing countries and emerging markets. In the past, the two countries have supported each other in the cause of national independence and development, while in the future, the two countries should also unite in good faith to set an example of win-win cooperation and shared development and become a pacesetter for South-South cooperation.

He added that China is ready to strengthen cooperation with Indonesia on poverty reduction and eradication and provide support in this regard.

Noting that at present, momentous changes not seen in a century are accelerating across the world, Xi said the two sides should actively practice the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, vigorously promote the Bandung spirit of solidarity, friendship and cooperation, promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and inclusive economic globalisation that benefits all, strengthen multilateral coordination, and safeguard the common interests of developing countries. (The 1955 Bandung Afro-Asian Conference was hosted by Indonesia’s first President Sukarno and inspired the creation of the Non-Aligned Movement six years later.)

Prabowo conveyed President Joko Widodo’s sincere greetings to Xi, and said he is delighted to make China the first country he visits after being elected. China, he added, is a major influential country and the two countries always respect each other and treat each other as equals.

Prabowo noted that China is a strong partner of Indonesia and Chinese enterprises have participated in-depth in Indonesia’s economic growth and contributed to Indonesia’s national development in recent years.

He said that he supports the development of a closer relationship with China and will continue his country’s friendly policy toward China, adhere to independence and stick to the one-China policy that is always pursued by the Indonesian government.

He appreciated that China has always upheld fairness and justice in international affairs, especially on the Palestinian question, adding that Indonesia is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with China on international and regional affairs and make a greater contribution to South-South cooperation.

Foreign ministers of Vietnam, Laos and Timor-Leste visit China

As part of an ongoing intensive diplomatic effort by China to consolidate and develop friendly relations with the member states of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other countries in the region, China’s top diplomat, Foreign Minister Wang Yi hosted separate visits from the foreign ministers of Vietnam, Laos and Timor-Leste in the first week of April. The visits all took place in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in southern China, bordering Vietnam, serving also to highlight the growing importance attached to subnational ties by China in its foreign policy.

Wang Yi met with his Vietnamese counterpart Bui Thanh Son on April 4. He noted that China-Vietnam relations achieved rapid development last year since the top leaders of the two parties jointly announced the building of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance. Quoting a line of poetry from the Vietnamese revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh, he said that this gave new meaning to the verse, “so profound is the friendship between Vietnam and China, because we are both comrades and brothers.”

Since the beginning of this year, he added, the top leaders of the two parties have exchanged new year greetings and maintained the momentum of high-level visits, while border provinces have pursued close cooperation and two-way personnel exchanges have achieved new breakthroughs.

China always regards Vietnam as a priority in neighbourhood diplomacy and stands ready to work with Vietnam to implement the consensus reached by the top leaders of the two parties, make solid plans for bilateral exchanges and cooperation, and jointly push forward the building of the China-Vietnam community with a shared future to a new level.

He suggested that the two sides should focus on such areas as strengthening high-level strategic communication, accelerating the alignment of development strategies, and continuing to expand cooperation in the economic and trade investment, digital economy, green development, new energy and key minerals.

Calling on both sides to jointly safeguard international equity and justice and continue to support each other on issues concerning major common interests, Wang said that it is necessary to be vigilant against engaging in camp confrontations in the region and cobbling together various “small circles” to undermine regional peace and stability.

Bui Thanh Son said that as a neighbour, comrade and brother, Vietnam supports China’s development and always regards China as the top priority and strategic choice of Vietnam’s foreign relations.

Vietnam is willing to maintain close coordination with China, promote economic and trade investment, deepen subnational cooperation, actively promote Vietnam-China friendship, build a Vietnam-China community with a shared future that bears strategic significance, and bring more benefits to the two peoples.

Vietnam adheres to the one-China principle, firmly supports China’s position on Taiwan and issues related to Xinjiang and Xizang [Tibet], opposes interference in other countries’ internal affairs under the pretext of human rights and democracy, and will strengthen multilateral coordination with China to safeguard common interests, he added.

The previous day, Bui Thanh Son had discussed regional cooperation with the Secretary of the Party Committee of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China Liu Ning. He affirmed that the Vietnamese party and state always support and facilitate cooperation between Vietnamese localities and their Chinese counterparts, including Guangxi.

Vietnamese ministries, agencies and localities, and Guangxi should maintain and raise the efficiency of their existing cooperation mechanisms, step up friendship, conduct theory exchanges and share experience in Party building, social management and economic development.

China condemns Israel’s attack on Iranian consulate in Damascus

On April 1, the Zionist regime in Israel, out of its malign and desperate attempt to extend its genocidal war in Gaza into a fullscale regional conflagration, which it doubtlessly believes would secure the overt participation of US imperialism, flagrantly attacked the Iranian consulate, adjacent to the country’s embassy, in the Syrian capital Damascus. Some sixteen deaths were reported.

The next day, Chinese Ambassador Geng Shuang addressed a United Nations Security Council briefing on the attack. He stated:

“Yesterday, the Iranian diplomatic premises in Damascus, Syria were attacked by airstrikes, resulting in loss of several Iranian personnel and severe destruction to the premises. This is a grave violation of the UN Charter and international law and a breach of the sovereignty of both Syria and Iran. The attack is of an extremely vicious nature. China strongly condemns this attack.”

Ambassador Geng continued: “Twenty-five years ago, China’s Embassy in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was bombed by US-led NATO airstrikes, resulting in personnel casualties and the destruction of the Chinese diplomatic premises. We feel the grief and pain of the Iranian government and people and express to them our deepest sympathy and condolences.”

On May 7, 1999, during the imperialist war of aggression against Yugoslavia, US-led NATO forces bombed the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade. Three journalists from the Xinhua News Agency and the Guangming Daily were martyred and many more Chinese comrades were injured.

Relating the Damascus attack to Israel’s ongoing aggression in Gaza, Geng Shuang continued:

“Since the Gaza conflict broke out in October last year, we have witnessed attacks on homes, attacks on schools, attacks on hospitals, attacks on humanitarian facilities, attacks on UN agencies, and today, attacks on diplomatic premises. The red line of international law and the fundamental principles of international relations has been breached time and again. And the moral bottom line of human conscience has been crushed time and again. Such a tragedy must stop immediately. Last week, the Council adopted Resolution 2728 calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. We strongly call on the international community to work together to ensure this resolution is implemented so that the Muslim community will not have to celebrate the month of Ramadan in the midst of gunfire.”

He added that “the situation in the Middle East has become ever more precarious. Israel’s frequent cross-border strikes against targets in Syria and Lebanon are a serious violation of the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of the countries concerned, and have aggravated tensions throughout the region. Such provocative actions might trigger greater turmoils and jeopardise the security of the entire region. Such actions must stop immediately.”

In its letter to the UN Security Council, Iran stated that it, “reserves its legitimate and inherent right to respond decisively” to Israel’s murderous aggression.

We reprint below the full text of Ambassador Geng Shuang’s remarks. They were originally published on the website of China’s Permanent Mission to the UN.

Madam President,

At the outset, I would like to congratulate Malta for assuming the Presidency of the Council for this month. The Chinese delegation will fully cooperate with you and your colleagues. I also commend Japan for all its efforts serving as the President of the Council last month.

Yesterday, the Iranian diplomatic premises in Damascus, Syria were attacked by airstrikes, resulting in loss of several Iranian personnel and severe destruction to the premises. This is a grave violation of the UN Charter and international law and a breach of the sovereignty of both Syria and Iran. The attack is of an extremely vicious nature. China strongly condemns this attack. 25 years ago, China’s Embassy in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was bombed by US-led NATO airstrikes, resulting in personnel casualties and the destruction of the Chinese diplomatic premises. We feel the grief and pain of the Iranian Government and people and express to them our deepest sympathy and condolences.

In accordance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the universally recognized fundamental principles governing international relations, the safety and security of diplomatic missions shall be inviolable. To allow impunity for such reckless acts that lack any baseline would sent a seriously wrong signal and would encourage even more risky acts. We take note of the solemn protests and condemnation against Israel raised by Iran, Syria, and other Arab countries. We hope that Israel will respond to them.

Madam President,

Since the Gaza conflict broke out in October last year, we have witnessed attacks on homes, attacks on schools, attacks on hospitals, attacks on humanitarian facilities, attacks on UN agencies, and today, attacks on diplomatic premises. The red line of international law and the fundamental principles of international relations has been breached time and again. And the moral bottom line of human conscience has been crushed time and again. Such a tragedy must stop immediately. Last week, the Council adopted Resolution 2728 calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. We strongly call on the international community to work together to ensure this resolution is implemented so that the Muslim community will not have to celebrate the month of Ramadan in the midst of gunfire.

At present, the ground situation in Gaza is deteriorating with rising spillover risks. And the situation in the Middle East has become ever more precarious. Israel’s frequent cross-border strikes against targets in Syria and Lebanon are a serious violation of the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of the countries concerned, and have aggravated tensions throughout the region. Such provocative actions might trigger greater turmoils and jeopardize the security of the entire region. Such actions must stop immediately. China calls on all parties, especially countries with important influence on Israel, to play a constructive role and to make concrete efforts to bring about an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, ease tensions, and restore peace and stability in the Middle East at an early date.

Thank you, President.

Nepal’s Minister for Foreign Affairs meets with Chinese leaders

Narayan Kaji Shrestha, Nepal’s newly appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, paid an official visit to China from March 25-April 1 at the invitation of Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

On the first day of his visit, Shrestha met with Wang Huning, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

Noting that the leaders of China and Nepal reached an important consensus on developing bilateral ties in their meeting last year, Wang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, called on the two sides to intensify political support, promote the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and enhance people-to-people connectivity.

China is ready to work with Nepal to faithfully implement the important consensus reached by the two countries’ leaders, advance the China-Nepal strategic partnership of cooperation featuring ever-lasting friendship for development and prosperity, and push for an even closer community of shared future between China and Nepal, Wang said.

The same day, Shrestha, who is also the Senior Vice-Chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre), met with Sun Haiyan, Vice-Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee (IDCPC).

She said that the CPC is ready to, together with the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre), strengthen inter-party exchanges, deepen mutual learning in state governance and administration, and boost China-Nepal relations and cooperation for in depth development.

Shrestha spoke highly of the relations between the two countries and the two parties. He said, the Nepali left-wing coalition government regards the Chinese side as an important partner, firmly adheres to the one-China principle, and will never allow any force to use Nepal’s territory to engage in any anti-China activities.

The following day, he met with Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who said that China has always placed Nepal in an important position in its neighbourhood diplomacy.

China is ready to work with Nepal to promote the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and advance the China-Nepal strategic partnership of cooperation featuring ever-lasting friendship for development and prosperity to a new and higher level, he added.

In response to an invitation, Wang reportedly said that he would visit Nepal within this year.

Shrestha said that the new government of Nepal attaches great importance to relations with China. Nepal is willing to work with China to advance the Belt and Road cooperation and has decided to join the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative.

Shrestha’s visit comes in the wake of some important political changes in Nepal. On March 4, Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal (more commonly known as Prachanda), who leads the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre), broke his coalition agreement with the Nepali Congress party, in favour of establishing a five-party left-wing coalition government, primarily with the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) (CPNUML), along with the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Socialist) and two non-communist parties, the Janata Samajbadi Party and the Rastriya Swantra Party. The new government won a vote of confidence in the Nepalese parliament on March 13.

In his new post as Foreign Minister, Shrestha chose China for his first international visit, just three weeks after taking office. Besides Beijing, he visited the municipality of Chongqing, Sichuan province and the Xizang (Tibet) Autonomous Region. These areas in the west of the country play the main role in China’s relations with Nepal at the subnational level.

The following articles were originally published by the Xinhua News Agency and on the IDCPC website.

China’s top political advisor meets Nepal’s FM

BEIJING, March 25 (Xinhua) — Wang Huning, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), met on Monday with Narayan Kaji Shrestha, Nepal’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister.

Noting that the leaders of China and Nepal reached important consensus on developing bilateral ties in their meeting last year, Wang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, called on the two sides to intensify political support, promote the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and enhance people-to-people connectivity.

“The CPPCC is willing to make positive contributions to the above-mentioned endeavors,” said Wang.

Shrestha said Nepal firmly adheres to the one-China principle, adding that Nepal expects enhanced communication and cooperation with China in various fields to better benefit the two peoples.

Sun Haiyan Meets with Narayan Kaji Shrestha, Senior Vice Chairman of Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Center), Deputy Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal

Beijing, March 25th (IDCPC) — Sun Haiyan, Vice-minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC), met here today on the afternoon with Narayan Kaji Shrestha, Senior Vice Chairman of Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Center), Deputy Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal.

Sun congratulated Shrestha on his assumption of the new post. She said, the Chinese side is willing to work with the Nepali side to jointly implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries on the development of China-Nepal relations, accelerate practical cooperation, and support each other on issues involving respective core interests and major concerns. The CPC is ready to, together with the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Center), strengthen inter-party exchanges, deepen mutual learning in state governance and administration, and boost China-Nepal relations and cooperation for in depth development.

Shrestha spoke highly of the relations between the two countries and the two Parties. He said, the Nepali left-wing coalition government regards the Chinese side as an important partner, firmly adheres to the one-China principle, and will never allow any force to use Nepal’s territory to engage in any anti-China activities. The Nepali side expects to work with the Chinese side to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in various fields, learn governance experience from the CPC, promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and elevate Nepal-China relations to a new height.

China and Sri Lanka reaffirm longstanding friendship and refute imperialist slanders

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena visited China from March 25-30 at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang. The visit and the agreements reached were a powerful reaffirmation of the long-standing friendship between the two countries and a clear refutation of the slanders spread in the imperialist countries, in particular, regarding their bilateral cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and China’s supposed ‘debt trap diplomacy’.

Gunawardena met with President Xi Jinping on March 27. Noting that the friendship between China and Sri Lanka enjoys a long history and the two peoples share a natural affinity, Xi said that consolidating and promoting China-Sri Lanka relations serves the fundamental interests and reflects the common expectations of the two peoples.

China is willing to work with Sri Lanka to carry forward the spirit of the Rubber-Rice Pact, which is characterised by “independence, self-reliance, unity and mutual support,” to consolidate political mutual trust, enhance exchanges of experience in governance, expand practical cooperation, and advance the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

The reference to the Rubber-Rice Pact carries great significance. The root of the two countries’ special friendship, it was concluded in December 1952, at a time when Sri Lanka (then known as Ceylon) had not long won its national independence from British colonial rule and the Chinese revolution had recently triumphed. More particularly, by this pact Sri Lanka courageously defied and broke the US-led blockade that had been imposed on New China at a time when the Chinese Volunteer Army was fighting on the Korean front. The agreement, which met the crucial needs of both countries at that time, lasted for 30 years, and led to the United States imposing sanctions, including those aimed at crippling its rubber production, and cutting off aid to Sri Lanka.

Xi added that both sides should make joint efforts to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, especially that of the two flagship projects, the Colombo Port City and the Hambantota Port. China and Sri Lanka should also work together to enhance logistics, energy, and industrial cooperation, and promote exchanges and cooperation in digital economy, green economy, clean energy, culture-oriented tourism and marine economy. China, he said, is willing to advance cooperation with Sri Lanka on rural poverty reduction, to help the country with economic transformation and upgrading, and with sustainable development.

The two sides, he added, should continue to maintain the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, enhance coordination on international and regional affairs, safeguard the common interests of both sides, uphold international fairness and justice, and promote the construction of a community with a shared future for humanity.

Gunawardena expressed appreciation for China’s assistance to Sri Lanka in times of difficulty, saying that projects such as the Colombo Port City and the Hambantota Port have boosted Sri Lanka’s economic and social development, as well as the overall development of the region.

The previous day Gunawardena held meetings with Premier Li Qiang and Zhao Leji, Chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee.

Li said China and Sri Lanka are strategic partners of cooperation characterised by sincere mutual assistance and enduring friendship spanning generations. The two countries have always respected each other and enjoyed equality and reciprocal cooperation since the establishment of diplomatic relations 67 years ago.

Gunawardena thanked China for providing long-term support to Sri Lanka’s efforts to safeguard national sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, and helping the country realise economic and social development and cope with the COVID-19 pandemic and financial crisis.

Hailing the Belt and Road Initiative and the global initiatives proposed by China, he said that Sri Lanka has always adhered to the one-China principle and will continue to firmly pursue policies to strengthen friendly cooperation with China.

Zhao said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1957, China and Sri Lanka have always enjoyed a sound and steady relationship despite changes in the international landscape.

The two sides released a joint statement on March 29. Noting that the Sri Lankan leader had also attended the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2024, held on the southern island of Hainan, during his visit, the statement said that:

“The two sides share the view that the peoples of China and Sri Lanka enjoy long-standing friendship, and have engaged in mutual learning, mutual assistance and seeking strength through unity. In the 67 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two countries have strengthened traditional friendship, enhanced political mutual trust, achieved fruitful results in practical cooperation, and engaged in close coordination on regional and international issues, setting a fine example of friendly interactions and mutually beneficial cooperation between countries of different sizes. The two sides agree to carry forward the spirit of independence, self-reliance, solidarity and mutual assistance enshrined in the Agreement on Rice for Rubber, jointly tackle challenges, share opportunities and seek common development, thereby cementing and expanding the China-Sri Lanka strategic cooperative partnership based on sincere mutual assistance and ever-lasting friendship to bring greater benefits to the two countries and peoples.”

Sri Lanka expressed its appreciation to China for “the support that helped its financial difficulties, and, in particular, the pioneering step taken by the Chinese financial institutions last year to propose a bilateral debts settlement plan and the preliminary agreement reached with Sri Lanka on the settlement of China-related debts on the basis of friendly consultation.”

Sri Lanka also expressed thanks and appreciation for “the assistance on its economic and social development, and speaks highly of the important role played by Belt and Road cooperation in boosting the economic development and livelihood improvement in Sri Lanka and other Belt and Road partner countries. The two sides agree to work together to deepen high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, accelerate the formulation of a Belt and Road cooperation plan, and make all-out efforts to advance the Colombo Port City project and the integrated development project of Hambantota Port as signature projects of Belt and Road cooperation between the two countries.

“Sri Lanka welcomes the investment of more Chinese enterprises, and stands ready to provide a favourable investment and business environment for them and roll out at a faster pace preferential policies to facilitate the implementation of the Colombo Port City and Hambantota Port integrated development projects. China will continue to encourage competent Chinese enterprises to invest in Sri Lanka and assist Sri Lanka in achieving economic transformation and sustainable development.”

After detailing concrete steps in a range of areas, including trade, emergency humanitarian assistance, economic development, people’s livelihood, agriculture, education, cultural heritage, tourism, sister city and people-to-people exchanges, and medical aid, the joint statement continued:

“The two sides will jointly champion the building of an equal and orderly multipolar world, practice true multilateralism, promote greater democracy in international relations, and call on all countries to jointly safeguard the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, jointly defend the universally recognised basic norms of international relations, and jointly contribute to the reform and development of the global governance system.”

They also “hold the view that in marking the 70th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, it is important to further carry forward these five principles, i.e. respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, mutual non-interference in internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence, and commit to building a community with a shared future for Asia and for humanity.”

The following articles were originally published by the Xinhua News Agency.

Xi meets Sri Lankan PM in Beijing

BEIJING, March 27 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena in Beijing on Wednesday.

Noting that the friendship between China and Sri Lanka enjoys a long history and the two peoples share a natural affinity, Xi said consolidating and promoting China-Sri Lanka relations serves the fundamental interests and reflects the common expectations of the two peoples.

China is willing to work with Sri Lanka to carry forward the spirit of the Rubber-Rice Pact, which is characterized by “independence, self-reliance, unity and mutual support,” to consolidate political mutual trust, enhance exchanges of experience in governance, expand practical cooperation, and advance the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, Xi said.

He noted that China and Sri Lanka should join hands to advance their strategic cooperative partnership featuring sincere mutual assistance and ever-lasting friendship.

China firmly supports Sri Lanka in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence and national dignity, and in exploring a modernization path suited to its national conditions, Xi said, adding that China will continue to provide due assistance within its capacity for Sri Lanka’s economic and social development.

He said that both sides should make joint efforts to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, especially that of the two flagship projects, the Colombo Port City and the Hambantota Port. China and Sri Lanka should also work together to enhance logistics, energy and industrial cooperation, and promote exchanges and cooperation in digital economy, green economy, clean energy, culture-oriented tourism and marine economy.

China will continue to import more high-quality specialty products from Sri Lanka, encourage Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in the country, and hopes that the business environment in Sri Lanka will be fair and transparent, Xi said.

He added that China is willing to advance cooperation with Sri Lanka on rural poverty reduction, to help the country with economic transformation and upgrading, and with sustainable development.

The two sides should continue to maintain the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, enhance coordination on international and regional affairs, safeguard the common interests of both sides, uphold international fairness and justice, and promote the construction of a community with a shared future for humanity, Xi stressed.

Noting that Sri Lanka and China enjoy a traditional friendship, Gunawardena said that Sri Lanka adheres unswervingly to the one-China principle, unequivocally follows the policy of friendly cooperation with China, and gives China priority on its diplomatic agenda.

He expressed appreciation for China’s assistance to Sri Lanka in times of difficulty, saying that projects such as the Colombo Port City and the Hambantota Port have boosted Sri Lanka’s economic and social development, as well as the overall development of the region.

Sri Lanka will take part in the China-proposed Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative, said Gunawardena, adding that the country will work with China to promote bilateral friendship, expand cooperation on trade and economy, education, tourism, poverty reduction and other fields, and improve international and multilateral communication and coordination.

Further consolidation of comradely relations between China and Vietnam

In a further consolidation of the comradely relations between China and its socialist neighbour, Vietnam, following his annual meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Minister Liu Jianchao of the Communist Party of China’s International Department (IDCPC), held in Jilin, north-east China on March 18, Le Hoai Trung, Secretary of the Secretariat of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and Chairman of the CPV Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations, continued his working visit with high-level meetings in Beijing.

On March 22, he met separately with Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee as well as of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, and Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, who is also Foreign Minister.

Cai said that China stands ready to work with Vietnam to implement the important results of President Xi Jinping’s visit to Vietnam in December 2023, maintain high-level exchanges, and strengthen mutual learning in state governance theories and experience.

China is also ready to work with Vietnam to promote the synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and the Two Corridors and One Economic Circle strategy, consolidate the friendship between the two peoples, strengthen international and regional coordination and cooperation, and boost the modernisation of the two countries, he added.

He affirmed that China supports Vietnam in playing a bigger role in the region and on the international stage, raising the voice of developing countries in addressing international issues.

Le Hoai Trung said that Vietnam will adhere to the consensus reached by the two leaders, commit firmly to building a strategically significant Vietnam-China community with a shared future, and push forward exchanges and cooperation between the two parties and two countries to continuously achieve important results.

He expressed to the Chinese leaders that the two sides should continue increasing high-level meetings and exchanges, especially among the top leaders; and step-up exchanges between departments of their Party Central Committees and local Party committees, while also boosting coordination in economy, trade, and transport connectivity, and coordinating efforts to reinforce a solid social foundation for the bilateral ties.

Wang Yi said that China is ready to intensify high-level exchanges with Vietnam, deepen exchanges and mutual learning on theories and experiences of party and state governance, effectively advance exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and jointly advance the building of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future.

Underlining the cooperative relationship between the two socialist countries, the Vietnamese newspaper Nhân Dân also reported that on the same day, border guards stationed in Vietnam’s northern province of Ha Giang coordinated with their counterparts in China’s Yunnan province to hold a joint patrol along the two provinces’ shared border, aimingto detect violations of border regulations, resolve any and protect security and safety.

The following articles were originally published by the Xinhua News Agency, the website of the Chinese Foreign Ministry and Nhân Dân.

Senior CPC official meets CPV delegation

BEIJING, March 22 (Xinhua) — Senior Communist Party of China (CPC) official Cai Qi met with a delegation led by Le Hoai Trung, secretary of the Secretariat of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and chairman of the CPV Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations, in Beijing on Friday.

Cai, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, said that General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to Vietnam in December last year and, together with General Secretary of the CPV Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong, announced the construction of a strategically significant China-Vietnam community with a shared future — an epoch-making milestone in the history of bilateral relations.

Le Hoai Trung: Vietnam regards developing relations with China as the top priority of its foreign policy

The heads of the international departments of the communist parties of China and Vietnam held an important meeting on March 18, in Jilin, north-east China, to further consolidate and develop the new stage in China-Vietnam friendly relations initiated with the respective visits of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and General Secretary Xi Jinping in 2022 and 2023.

Meeting his Vietnamese counterpart, Le Hoai Trung, Member of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and Head of the Commission for External Relations of the CPV Central Committee, Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC), said that General Secretary Xi Jinping successfully paid a state visit to Vietnam last December, during which he and General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong established a new positioning of relations between the two parties and the two countries, and made strategic plans for China-Vietnam relations at the new historical juncture, which have become an epoch-making milestone in the history of China-Vietnam relations. This year is the start for both sides to fully implement the results of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s visit to Vietnam and promote the construction of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future.

Liu added that as the world is currently in a new period of turbulence and change, China and Vietnam are facing both important development opportunities and many severe challenges. Both sides should grasp the distinctive characteristics of China-Vietnam relations, highlight the political nature of exchanges and cooperation between the two parties, and give full play to mechanisms such as the high-level meeting between the two parties. Both sides should focus on the future and destiny of socialism, promote the upgrading of theoretical discussions and strengthen cadre training cooperation.

Centring around the common concept of putting people first, both sides need to deepen exchanges and cooperation between publicity departments, media outlets, trade union, youth, women, and other mass organisations. Besides, Liu called on both sides to keep pace with the development of the international landscape, well implement the political consensus of the leaders of the two parties and the two countries on maritime issues, strengthen coordination and cooperation in multilateral political party activities in the world and the region, and make the international order and global governance system more just and equitable. The Chinese side, Liu said, speaks highly of Vietnam’s achievements made since the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam and is happy to see Vietnam increasingly playing an important and positive role in the international community.

Le Hoai Trung said, the Vietnamese side has been paying close attention to and is sincerely happy for the great development achievements of brotherly China. He believed that under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, China will continue to make new development achievements and new contributions to regional and international development. Vietnam regards developing relations with China as the top priority of its foreign policy. It firmly adheres to the one-China principle, supports China’s great cause of national reunification, and rejects external forces’ intervention in China’s internal affairs under the pretext of the question of Taiwan, and issues of Xinjiang, Xizang [Tibet], and Hong Kong, etc. It actively supports the concept of a community with a shared future for humanity and the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilisation Initiative proposed by the Chinese side, and is ready to work together to promote their implementation.

The Vietnam News Agency (VNA) further reported that they agreed to maintain frequent high-level exchanges and meetings, further promote the effectiveness of party-to-party relations in setting strategic orientations for the countries’ ties, and to step up exchanges and cooperation between the two governments, parliaments, and fatherland front organisations. They agreed to strengthen ties in defence and security as well as between the two countries’ localities, foster people-to-people interaction, and increase communications regarding the traditional friendship between the two parties, countries, and peoples.

The following articles were originally published on the website of the IDCPC and by the Vietnamese newspaper Nhân Dân.

Liu Jianchao Meets with Le Hoai Trung, Member of the Secretariat of the CPV Central Committee and Head of the Commission for External Relations of the CPV Central Committee

Jilin, March 18th—Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC), held here today a meeting between the foreign departments of the two Parties with Le Hoai Trung, Member of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and Head of the Commission for External Relations of the CPV Central Committee.

Liu said, General Secretary Xi Jinping successfully paid a state visit to Vietnam last December, during which he and General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong announced the establishment of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance. They established a new positioning of relations between the two Parties and the two countries, and made strategic plans for China-Vietnam relations at the new historical juncture, which have become an epoch-making milestone in the history of China-Vietnam relations. This year is the start for both sides to fully implement the results of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s visit to Vietnam and promote the construction of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future. As the departments responsible for the external affairs of the two Parties, the IDCPC and the Commission for External Relations of the CPV Central Committee must play a role in overall coordination, follow-up, supervision, and service, to help all departments and localities of the two sides implement the important consensus of the top leaders of the two Parties.

Chinese leaders meet with delegation of the Social Democratic Party of Japan

A delegation of the Japanese Social Democratic Party (JSDP), headed by its leader Mizuho Fukushima, recently visited China.

Formerly known as the Japan Socialist Party, the JSDP has consistently stood for friendship with China and for peace and has actively opposed militarism and war.

On January 19, Fukushima met with Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Wang Huning.

She said that the main purpose of the Social Democratic Party’s visit is to reaffirm peace and friendship between Japan and China. She said Japan had launched the war of aggression against China and caused great harm to China, for which they sincerely apologise. The Social Democratic Party is willing to promote the sound development of Japan-China relations based on the four political documents previously agreed between the two countries.

The same day she and her delegation also met with Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC).

Liu said that the Social Democratic Party has always attached importance to China-Japan relations. It established inter-party exchange relations with the CPC more than 40 years ago and has made important contributions to strengthening friendly cooperation between the two sides and improving and developing China-Japan relations. The Chinese side appreciates this. It is hoped that the Japanese side will abide by the one-China principle and properly handle historical issues as well as issues such as the discharge of the nuclear-contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station into the ocean. The CPC is willing to strengthen communication and exchanges with the Social Democratic Party, promote exchanges between legislatures and non-governmental organisations, as well as people-to-people and cultural exchanges, including in media and other fields, and strive to bring China-Japan relations back to the track of healthy development.

Mizuho Fukushima said that the Social Democratic Party has long adhered to the concept of cherishing peace and opposing war, and is committed to promoting Japan-China friendship. Last year, Prime Minister Kishida met with President Xi Jinping, reaffirming the decision to comprehensively advance bilateral ties with the commitment to promoting a strategic relationship of mutual benefit, adhere to the principles established in the four political documents between Japan and China, and bring important opportunities to Japan-China relations. The Social Democratic Party is deeply encouraged by this and is willing to work with the CPC to promote closer economic cooperation and people-to-people and cultural exchanges between the two countries and build a future-oriented Japan-China relationship. The Social Democratic Party, she added, opposed the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean.

Fukushima also said: “The delegation visited the Museum of the War of Peoples Resistance Against Japanese Aggression on January 18th, and expressed deep apologies for Japan’s war of aggression against China, which caused severe harm to the Chinese people. On behalf of the Social Democratic Party, I pledged ‘no more war between Japan and China’, opposed the implementation of Japan’s new security strategy, which is a ‘war bill’, and opposed lifting bans on exercising the right of collective self-defence. I believe that Japan should not prepare for war but build peace. The Social Democratic Party hopes to strengthen friendly relations with the CPC and work together to promote the development of Japan-China relations, deepen mutual understanding and trust among Northeast Asian countries, and promote an Asian community with a shared future.”

The following articles were originally published on the websites of the Chinese Foreign Ministry and the IDCPC.

Wang Huning Meets with a Delegation of the Social Democratic Party of Japan

On January 19, 2024, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Wang Huning met with a delegation led by Head of the Social Democratic Party of Japan Mizuho Fukushima in Beijing.

Wang Huning said that President Xi Jinping met with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in November last year, and the leaders of the two countries reiterated their commitment to the principles and consensus stipulated in the four political documents between China and Japan, and reaffirmed the positioning of comprehensively advancing a strategic relationship of mutual benefit between China and Japan. He expressed the hope that the two sides will view each other’s development in an objective and rational manner in the spirit of “drawing lessons from history and opening up the future”, respect each other’s core interests and major concerns, and promote the building of a China-Japan relationship that meets the demands of the new era. The CPPCC National Committee is willing to strengthen contact with Japan and make positive contributions to this end.

Mizuho Fukushima said that the main purpose of the Social Democratic Party’s visit is to reaffirm peace and friendship between Japan and China. She said Japan had launched the war of aggression against China and caused great harm to China, for which they sincerely apologize. The Social Democratic Party is willing to promote the sound development of Japan-China relations based on the four political documents between the two countries.

Shi Taifeng and Wang Dongfeng, among others, were present at the meeting.

Liu Jianchao Meets with a Delegation of the Social Democratic Party of Japan

Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC), met here today with a delegation led by Mizuho Fukushima, Leader of the Social Democratic Party of Japan.

Liu said, the Social Democratic Party has always attached importance to China-Japan relations. It established inter-party exchange relations with the CPC more than 40 years ago, and has made important contributions to strengthening friendly cooperation between the two sides and improving and developing China-Japan relations. The Chinese side appreciates this. Last November, President Xi Jinping met with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in San Francisco, US, and had in-depth exchanges on how to build a China-Japan relationship that can meet the requirements of the new era. Both sides must always abide by the principles established in the four political documents between China and Japan, maintain the foundation for the development of China-Japan relations, proceed from the overall situation, and act on the political consensus of viewing each other as cooperative partner and not posing any threat to each other. It is hoped that the Japanese side will abide by the one-China principle and properly handle historical issues as well as issues such as the discharge of the nuclear-contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station into the ocean. We are willing to strengthen communication and exchanges with the Social Democratic Party, promote exchanges between legislatures, non-governmental organizations, people-to-people and cultural exchanges, media and other fields, and strive to bring China-Japan relations back to the track of healthy development.

Liu said, changes unseen in a century are unfolding at an accelerated pace, while regional peace and development are facing more instability and uncertainty. Yet the overall direction of human development and progress will not change, and the overall trend toward a shared future for the international community will not change. Currently, Asia is at an important juncture in its development and revitalization. China will continue to promote high-quality development, adhere to high-level opening up, and promote Chinese modernization on all fronts. China and Japan are the two largest economies in Asia. The two countries shoulder important responsibilities for peace and prosperity in the region and the world at large. It is hoped that both sides will focus on respective long-term interests and regional interests, and make positive contributions to building an Asian community with a shared future.

Mizuho Fukushima said, the Social Democratic Party has long adhered to the concept of cherishing peace and opposing war, and is committed to promoting Japan-China friendship. Last year, Prime Minister Kishida met with President Xi Jinping, reaffirming the decision to comprehensively advance bilateral ties with the commitment to promoting a strategic relationship of mutual benefit, adhere to the principles established in the four political documents between Japan and China, and bring important opportunities to Japan-China relations. The Social Democratic Party is deeply encouraged by this and is willing to work with the CPC to promote closer economic cooperation and people-to-people and cultural exchanges between the two countries and build a future-oriented Japan-China relationship. The Social Democratic Party opposed the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean.

The delegation visited the Museum of the War of Peoples Resistance Against Japanese Aggression on January 18th, and expressed deep apologies for Japan’s war of aggression against China, which caused severe harm to the Chinese people. On behalf of the Social Democratic Party, I pledged “no more war between Japan and China”, opposed the implementation of Japan’s new security strategy, which is a “war bill”, and opposed lifting bans on exercising the right of collective self-defense. I believed that Japan should not prepare for war but build peace. The Social Democratic Party hopes to strengthen friendly relations with the CPC, and work together to promote the development of Japan-China relations, deepen mutual understanding and trust among Northeast Asian countries, and promote an Asian community with a shared future.

Sun Haiyan, Vice-minister of the IDCPC, Kunio Arakaki, deputy head of the Social Democratic Party of Japan and Member of the House of Representatives, Yuko Ohtsubaki, deputy head of the Social Democratic Party of Japan and Member of the House of Councillors, and others were present.

Asian NATO under a new guise

In the following article, which was originally published on the Australian website Pearls and Irritations, Tim Beal analyses the increasing focus on the Asia-Pacific region by the NATO military alliance, with China as its main potential target.

Tim notes recent military activities in the region on the part of Germany, France and the Netherlands, while Britain, “enthused with imperial nostalgia and memories of the Opium War, flaunts its very expensive but very vulnerable aircraft carriers in a mix of high ambition and low farce.”

There are, however, impediments to NATO’s regional expansion, including the potential role of more independent minded leaders in some member countries, such as Türkiye, Hungary, Slovakia, and even France. Tim therefore argues that the Seoul-based United Nations Command (UNC) might be pressed into service as a more pliant alternative, citing an article by US strategist Clint Work to explain:

“Although the Koreas, both South and North, are important in their own right the peninsula’s position in US geostrategy is principally as an instrument against China. Sometimes, Work mentions China, sometimes he uses North Korea as a surrogate for China and on other occasions he employs coded phrases for China such as South Korea’s ‘broader regional responsibilities’.”

Regarding the UNC, Tim further notes that: “Despite its name it is not an organisation under the control of the United Nations but in fact a US-controlled military alliance that got its misleading title during the early stages of the Korean War when the Soviet Union was boycotting the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) over the US blocking of recently-established People’s Republic of China (PRC) taking over the China seat from Chiang Kai-shek’s Republic of China (ROC) which had retreated to Taiwan province. And because of its name and its illegal use of the UN flag and logo, the UNC can be portrayed as a UN body, an expression of ‘the international community’, rather than the US military.”

Tim Beal is a retired New Zealand academic, whose main focus has been Northeast Asia. He is the author of ‘North Korea: The struggle against American power’ (2005) and ‘Crisis in Korea: America, China and the risk of war’ (2011), both published by Pluto Press.

Over the past couple of years there has been a flurry of activity linking NATO, and some of its constituent countries with the states of American East Asia, principally Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has been a frequent visitor, and in December 2023, the US embassy in Seoul arranged for senior representatives from eight NATO countries to visit South Korea to “engage in discussions on the security situation in the Indo-Pacific region and other pertinent issues”. Meanwhile back in Washington Representative Mike Lawler has introduced a bill in Congress aimed at “establishing [a] task force for NATO-like Indo-Pacific Alliance”. The Luftwaffe made headlines in August 2022 by flying non-stop, refuelling in air, to participate in the Pitch Black exercises in Australia and more of the Bundeswehr returned in 2023 for the Talisman Sabre 23 exercises. In November a British army unit participated in military exercises in South Korea. France and the Netherlands have been doing their bit, and Britain, enthused with imperial nostalgia and memories of the Opium War, flaunts its very expensive but very vulnerable aircraft carriers in a mix of high ambition and low farce. The participation of Asian militaries in the NATO space has been, so far, very low key. The Japanese sent observers to Air Defender 23 in Germany, and the South Koreans joined in a cyberwar game in Estonia in November 2023. However regional leaders – the Asia Pacific Four (AP4), Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand – have been invited with some fanfare to mix with the grown-ups at NATO summits in Madrid and Vilnius. Moreover, NATO has been active in crafting Individually Tailored Partnership Programmes (ITPPs) with Japan, South Korea, Australia, and soon, New Zealand.

The reasons for this accelerating activity are easily discernible. For regional leaders – Yoon, Kishida, Albanese, etc – the illusion of European support in a war against China must offer comfort; delusionary given the state of European militaries but something to clutch at. For the Europeans in NATO, civilians and military, there is a desperate need to convince Washington that they are still relevant, given the shift of USA attention towards China and the failure of the proxy war in Ukraine. The search for relevance has been a constant since the Soviet collapse; as Senator Richard Lugar put it in 1993, for NATO it’s either ‘out-of-area or out-of-business’. NATO chose out-of-area and Beijing is the logical, and final, destination.

Building a China-Vietnam community with shared future

The top Communist Party leaders of China and Vietnam have exchanged greetings with the approach of the Spring Festival, or Lunar New Year, a very significant traditional holiday for both peoples.

In his message to Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, Xi Jinping, his Chinese counterpart, said that 2023 was an epoch-making year in the history of China-Vietnam relations, with frequent high-level exchanges between the two sides, a more solid political mutual trust, an acceleration in synergy of their development strategies, a robust momentum of comprehensive cooperation, vibrant people-to-people exchange activities and a traditional friendship that grows ever stronger.

He added that amidst an atmosphere of goodwill marking the 15th anniversary of the China-Vietnam comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, he had visited Vietnam as promised, thus realising the third round of mutual visits between him and Trong in the new era.

For his part, Trong said bilateral relations have shown a positive momentum of development and achieved significant progress ever since his official visit to China in October 2022 following the 20th Communist Party of China (CPC) National Congress.

Xi’s successful state visit to Vietnam in December 2023, he added, demonstrated the great importance the CPC, China and Xi attach to Vietnam’s socialist construction and to bilateral relations.

The following article was originally published by the Xinhua News Agency.

BEIJING, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) — General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Friday that he stands ready to work with the Vietnamese side to promote the China-Vietnam community with a shared future and see it take root and bear fruits.

Xi made the remarks in an exchange of Spring Festival greetings with Nguyen Phu Trong, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee.

In his message, Xi extended his sincere greetings and best wishes for the Spring Festival to Trong, the CPV as well as the Vietnamese government and people on behalf of the CPC, the Chinese government and the Chinese people.

The year 2023 was epoch-making in the history of China-Vietnam relations, with frequent high-level exchanges between the two sides, a more solid political mutual trust, an acceleration in synergy of their development strategies, a robust momentum of comprehensive cooperation, vibrant people-to-people exchange activities and a traditional friendship that grows ever stronger, Xi said.

He said that amidst an atmosphere of goodwill marking the 15th anniversary of the China-Vietnam comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, he visited Vietnam as promised, thus realizing the third round of mutual visits between him and Trong in the new era.

Noting that he and Trong jointly announced the building of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance, Xi said that it has opened up a new journey and a new chapter for the development of ties between the two parties and two nations, a manifestation of the firm will and resolve of the two sides to cooperate and forge ahead.

Xi said that in 2024, he stands ready to maintain close contacts with Trong in guiding the two sides to anchor the new positioning of bilateral ties, and make concerted and solid efforts to promote high-level and high-quality development of exchanges and cooperation via all channels, at all levels and in all sectors.

All the vivid practices and practical results will inject new impetus into the modernization cause of the two countries, so as to provide positive energy for the prosperity and development of the Asia-Pacific region, and make greater contribution to the cause of peace and progress of mankind, Xi said.

Xi’s successful state visit to Vietnam in December 2023 demonstrated the great importance the CPC, China and Xi attach to Vietnam’s socialist construction and to bilateral relations, Trong said.

During Xi’s Vietnam visit, the two sides conducted comprehensive and in-depth exchanges in the spirit of the deep friendship of comrades plus brothers between Vietnam and China, issued a joint statement on further upgrading the bilateral relations, and signed dozens of cooperation documents of historic significance, Trong noted.

These fruitful results have laid a solid foundation and provided strategic guidance for the relations between the two parties and the two countries to enter a healthier, practical and fruitful new development stage and maintain a long-term stable and positive momentum, he said.

Trong said he highly values and is willing to maintain exchanges and contact with Xi, adding that he stands ready to continuously offer care and guidance to various localities and departments at all levels from the two sides in implementing the important consensus and agreements reached by high-level officials of both sides during Xi’s Vietnam visit.

Doing so will benefit the development of relations between the two parties and between the two countries, serve the interests of the two peoples, and contribute to regional and global peace, stability, cooperation and development.

Trong also wished the CPC continued growth, the People’s Republic of China prosperity, and the brotherly Chinese people a happy and peaceful New Year.

Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong visits DPRK

With 2024 having been jointly designated as the China-DPRK Friendship Year in an exchange of new year messages between the top leaders of the two countries, Xi Jinping and Kim Jong Un, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong has visited the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, with arrangements for the main activities to be held in the year high on his agenda.

On January 26, he held consultations with DPRK Vice Foreign Minister Pak Myong Ho and paid a courtesy call on Alternate Member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea and Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui.

Earlier, on January 19, Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee (IDCPC), met with DPRK Ambassador to China Ri Ryong Nam.

Liu said, General Secretary Xi Jinping and General Secretary Kim Jong Un exchanged congratulatory messages and jointly designated 2024 as the China-DPRK Friendship Year. The Chinese side is willing to work with the DPRK side to resolutely implement the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two parties and two countries, and take the 75th anniversary of their establishment of diplomatic relations and the Friendship Year as an opportunity to carry forward traditional friendship, deepen strategic communication, promote mutually beneficial cooperation and the constant development of China-DPRK relations, and maintain regional peace and stability.

The relationship between the two parties plays an important leading role in the development of China-DPRK relations. The IDCPC is willing to work hand in hand with the International Department of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) and the DPRK Embassy in China to strengthen communication and coordination through inter-party channels and make due contributions to the development of relations between the two countries.

Ri Ryong Nam congratulated the CPC and the Chinese people on their remarkable achievements in politics, economy, culture and other fields under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core. He believed that in the new year, China will achieve new and greater progress in promoting the cause of socialism through Chinese modernisation. The DPRK side firmly supports China’s struggle to safeguard its core interests involving Taiwan, Hong Kong, human rights and other areas, and is willing to work with the Chinese side to resolutely implement the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two parties and two countries.

The following articles were originally published on the websites of the Chinese Foreign Ministry and the IDCPC.

Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong Visits DPRK

Jan 26 (Chinese Foreign Ministry) — On January 26, 2024, Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong held consultations with Vice Foreign Minister of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) Pak Myong Ho in Pyongyang and paid a courtesy call on Alternate Member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea and Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui. The two sides had an extensive and in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations, international and regional situations, and other issues of mutual interest and concern in a cordial and friendly atmosphere.

The two sides spoke highly of the achievements in the development of bilateral relations in recent years and reaffirmed that it is the unswerving position of the two parties and governments to maintain, consolidate, and develop bilateral relations. The two sides agreed to follow the guidance of the top leaders of the two parties and the two countries and take the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and DPRK and the China-DPRK Friendship Year as an opportunity to strengthen strategic communication at all levels, deepen traditional friendship and practical cooperation, strengthen multilateral coordination and cooperation, and push forward the sustained development of China-DPRK relations. The two sides agreed on the arrangements for major activities of the China-DPRK Friendship Year.

Chinese Ambassador to DPRK Wang Yajun attended relevant events.

Liu Jianchao Meets with Ri Ryong Nam, DPRK Ambassador to China

Jan 19 (IDCPC) — Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC), met here today with Ri Ryong Nam, Ambassador of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) to China.

Liu said, General Secretary Xi Jinping and General Secretary Kim Jong Un exchanged congratulatory messages and jointly designated 2024 as the China-DPRK Friendship Year at the beginning of the year. The Chinese side is willing to work with the DPRK side to resolutely implement the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two Parties and the two countries, and take the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and the China-DPRK Friendship Year as an opportunity to carry forward traditional friendship, deepen strategic communication, promote mutually beneficial cooperation, promote China-DPRK relations for constant development and maintain regional peace and stability. The relationship between the two Parties plays an important leading role in the development of China-DPRK relations. The IDCPC is willing to work hand in hand with the International Department of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) of the DPRK and the DPRK Embassy in China to strengthen communication and coordination through inter-party channels and make due contributions to the development of relations between the two countries.

Ri Ryong Nam briefed on the 9th Plenary Meeting of the 8th WPK Central Committee, congratulated the CPC and the Chinese people on the remarkable achievements in politics, economy, culture and other fields under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core. He believed that in the New Year, China will achieve new and greater progress in promoting the cause of socialism through Chinese modernization. The DPRK side firmly supports China’s struggle to safeguard core interests involving Taiwan, Hong Kong, human rights and others, and is willing to work with the Chinese side to resolutely implement the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two Parties and the two countries, and take the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and the DPRK-China Year of Friendship as an opportunity to give full play to the role of inter-party channels, so as to serve the development of relations between the two Parties and the two countries.

Anniversary of Vietnam-China diplomatic relations marked in Beijing

Vietnam and China recently celebrated the 74th anniversary of their establishing diplomatic relations on January 18, 1950.

On the anniversary day, the Chinese Embassy in the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi hosted a banquet attended by Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang.

In his remarks, Quang, who is also Chairman of the Vietnam-China Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation, affirmed that the party, state, and people of Vietnam view the development of relations with China as a strategic choice and leading priority in the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, and multilateralisation and diversification of external relations.

The Deputy PM emphasised that after the historic visit to China by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in October 2022, the two countries’ comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership made great strides and obtained significant achievements in 2023.

During the state visit to Vietnam by Party General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping in December 2023, the two Parties and two countries agreed to continue deepening and elevating their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and to build a Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.

Then, on January 22, the Vietnamese Embassy in Beijing held a ceremony attended by Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu.

In his remarks, Vietnamese Ambassador Pham Sao Mai said that the Vietnam–China friendship, which was nurtured and fostered by President Ho Chi Minh and Chairman Mao Zedong, as well as successive generations of the two countries’ leaders, has become a valuable asset of the two nations, adding that the two countries’ people have stood shoulder to shoulder and supported each other in their cause of national liberation and the process of national construction and development.

The Vietnamese diplomat further recalled the recent state visit to Vietnam by General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping, during which General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong and the Chinese leader discussed and reached agreement on continuing to deepen and elevate the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership, building a Vietnam–China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance, for the happiness of the two nations’ people and for the peace and progress of humanity.

The Vietnamese party, state and people always attach much importance to consolidating and bolstering the friendship and cooperation with the Chinese party, state and people, and consider developing the ties with China as a top priority and a strategic choice in the country’s foreign policy, he stressed.

The following articles were originally published by the Vietnamese newspaper Nhân Dân.

Ceremony marks 74th anniversary of Vietnam – China diplomatic ties

Jan 19 (Nhan Dan) — The Chinese Embassy in Vietnam hosted a banquet on January 18 in the presence of Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang to celebrate the 74th founding anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic relations (January 18, 1950 – 2024).

In his remarks, Quang, who is also Chairman of the Vietnam – China Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation, affirmed that the Party, State, and people of Vietnam view the development of relations with China as a strategic choice and leading priority in the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, and multilateralisation and diversification of external relations.

Vietnam holds that the stable and sustainable development of the bilateral ties matches practical benefits of the two countries’ peoples and also benefits cooperation and prosperous development in the region and the world, he said.

During the state visit to Vietnam by Party General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping in December 2023, the two Parties and the two countries agreed to continue deepening and elevating the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and to build a Vietnam – China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance. This was an important milestone during the development of the bilateral relations, raising the ties between the two Parties and the two countries to a new stage, Quang added.

For his part, Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Xiong Bo noted that China is ready to join hands with Vietnam to properly implement the important common perceptions reached between the Parties and countries’ top leaders, and unceasingly develop the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership

and the Vietnam – China community with a shared future, thereby generating tangible benefits for the people of both nations.

The two sides agreed to keep close coordination to concretise the achievements and new dimensions of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, on which Party General Secretary of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong and Party General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping agreed, to promote the relations between the two Parties and the two countries with higher political trust, more practical defence – security cooperation, more solid social foundation, closer multilateral coordination, and better controlled and resolved differences, the diplomat said.

Anniversary of Vietnam-China diplomatic relations marked in Beijing

Jan 23 (Nhan Dan) — The Vietnamese Embassy in China held a ceremony in Beijing on January 22 to celebrate the 74th founding anniversary of Vietnam – China diplomatic relations (January 18, 1950 – 2024).

The event was attended by Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Ma Zhaoxu, representatives of Chinese ministries, sectors, agencies, localities and businesses, experts, scholars and press agencies of both nations.

In his remarks, Vietnamese Ambassador Pham Sao Mai highlighted the significance of the establishment of the diplomatic ties between the two countries, and reviewed their cooperation achievements over the past time.

The Vietnam – China friendship, which was nurtured and fostered by Presidents Ho Chi Minh and Mao Zedong as well as generations of the two countries’ leaders, has become a valuable asset of the two nations, he said, adding the two countries’ people have stood shoulder by shoulder and supported each other in their cause of national liberation and the process of national construction and development.

Amidst complicated and unprecedented developments across the globe, the Vietnam – China Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership has developed in a stable manner and recorded important progress thanks to the sound direction of high-level leaders of the two Parties and States as well as concerted efforts made by sectors and people of both sides, he said.

The Vietnamese diplomat recalled the recent state visit to Vietnam by General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping, during which General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong and the Chinese leader discussed and reached perceptions on continuing to deepen and elevate the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership, building a Vietnam – China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance for the happiness of the two nations’ people and for peace and progress of the humankind.

Mai said that the stable Vietnam – China relations have played an important role in the development in each country, contributing to peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

The Vietnamese Party, State and people always attach much importance to consolidating and bolstering the friendship and cooperation with the Chinese Party, State and people, and consider developing the ties with China as a top priority and a strategic choice in the country’s foreign policy, he stressed.

He suggested that both sides should continue enhancing the exchange of delegations at all levels, fully and effectively carry out the perceptions reached by the two Parties and nations, enhance political trust, promote cooperation in economy, trade, investment, tourism, and properly control and handle disagreements on the basis of respect for each other’s legitimate interests and in line with international law.

Participants at the event congratulated Vietnam and China on the achievements they have attained over the past time.

China, Maldives upgrade ties as presidents hold talks

President Mohamed Muizzu of the Republic of Maldives, an island nation in South Asia, became the first foreign head of state to visit China in 2024, paying a state visit from January 8-12. His visit, 10 years after President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to Maldives in 2014, was also President Muizzu’s first overseas state visit since assuming office in November 2023.

Meeting President Xi on January 10, the two heads of state announced the elevation of their bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

Xi said that the people of the two countries established friendly ties through the ancient Maritime Silk Road, undertook productive cooperation in the construction of the Belt and Road and other areas in recent years, and set a good example of equality, mutual assistance, and mutual benefit between countries big and small over the past 52 years of diplomatic ties.

“Under the new circumstances, China-Maldives relations face a historic opportunity to build on past achievements and forge ahead,” Xi said, noting that the elevation of ties is necessary alongside the growth of bilateral relations and meets the expectations of the two peoples.

Xi spoke about the hard work and valuable experience of the Communist Party of China over the last century. He stressed that China respects and supports the Maldives in exploring a development path suited to its national conditions and firmly supports the Maldives in safeguarding its national sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national dignity.

He called on the two sides to strengthen cooperation in such areas as the economy, trade and investment, agricultural parks, and the blue, green and digital economies. He also called for expanded cooperation on marine ecological and environmental protection, as well as strengthened people-to-people exchanges. He said China will support more Maldivian students to study in China and promote more direct flights between the two countries.

Xi noted that the two sides should strengthen multilateral communication and coordination to safeguard genuine multilateralism and the common interests of developing countries and build a community with a shared future for humanity to make the world more peaceful, secure and prosperous.

He said that China is willing to work with the Maldives to implement the consensus reached at the UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai, and to promote the full and effective implementation of the Paris Agreement on climate change.

Muizzu said he was honoured to pay his first state visit to China with a number of important cabinet ministers and to become the first foreign head of state that China has hosted this year, fully demonstrating the great importance both sides attach to the development of bilateral relations.

Noting that this year marks the 10th anniversary of President Xi’s historic state visit to the Maldives, Muizzu said that China has provided a significant amount of valuable assistance to his country’s economic and social development. He added that the Maldivian people have benefited greatly from the Belt and Road Initiative, citing the Maldives-China Friendship Bridge a symbol of the bond between the two peoples. He said the Maldives looks forward to taking the elevation of ties as an opportunity to expand new channels of cooperation and promote high-quality partnership in the construction of the Belt and Road, and that it welcomes more Chinese tourists to visit the country.

After their talks, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of an action plan to establish the China-Maldives comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, as well as cooperation documents on the construction of the Belt and Road, disaster management, the economy and technology, infrastructure, people’s livelihoods, green development, and the blue and digital economies.

Meeting with Premier Li Qiang the next day, Muizzu noted that the visit to China is his first state visit since taking office, adding that the Maldives firmly adheres to the one-China policy, stands firmly with China, and firmly supports the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilisation Initiative proposed by China.

He also met with Zhao Leji, the Chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee the same day.

According to the joint communiqué released by the two heads of state after their meeting, the two sides share the view that China and the Maldives are sincere friends of mutual trust and assistance, and partners for common development and prosperity. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 52 years ago, the two countries have always respected and supported each other, setting a fine example of equality, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation between countries of different sizes.

They also share the view that as changes of the world, our times and history unfold, the strategic significance of China-Maldives relations has become more pronounced. The two sides agree to elevate China-Maldives relations to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, better leverage the political guidance of high-level engagement, expand practical cooperation between the two countries in various fields, strengthen collaboration on international and multilateral affairs, enhance the well-being of the two peoples, and work toward a China-Maldives community with a shared future.

China firmly supports the Maldives in upholding its national sovereignty, independence and national dignity, respects and supports the Maldives’ exploration of a development path that suits its national conditions, and firmly opposes external interference in the internal affairs of the Maldives.

China also expresses its readiness to continue providing support for the Maldives to the best of its capability in areas that the Maldives deems as priorities, including infrastructure construction, medical service and health, improvement of people’s livelihood, new energy, agriculture, and protection of the marine environment. And the two sides intend to continue exchanges and cooperation in such areas as science and technology, culture, tourism, education, sports, civil aviation, personnel training, health, affairs related to women, youth, and people with disabilities, press and publication, radio, film and television, people-to-people ties, and subnational cooperation.

The two sides further agree to deepen cooperation in the field of ecology and environment, advocate green, low-carbon, circular and sustainable development, implement the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, work together for building the green Belt and Road, and strengthen communication and cooperation on climate change and other issues.

Following President Muizzu’s return home, he announced that all Indian troops must quit his country by March 15. There are currently some 80 Indian troops stationed in the Maldives.

The Indian newspaper The Hindu reported that: “Veteran Indian diplomat Rakesh Sood said that Mr. Muizzu was ‘playing to his base and presumably, his ‘benefactor’.’ He added: ‘He is being deliberately provocative but there is little to be gained by India engaging in tit-for-tat rhetoric. Far better to let him realise the relevance of India to Maldives, in socio-economic terms.’”

However, the paper further noted: “The Maldivian president has been consistent in his demand for Indian troops’ withdrawal, his chief poll pledge last year. The demand also figured in his inaugural address soon after he assumed office in November 2023. In December, days after his meeting with [Indian Prime Minister] Mr. Modi in Dubai [at the COP 28 climate summit], Mr. Muizzu announced that India had ‘agreed’ to withdraw its troops, although New Delhi has made no statement to that effect so far.”

Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post wrote that, “After his state visit to China, Muizzu said… that his country’s small size does not give anyone the licence to bully it… ‘We are a free and independent nation. So this territorial integrity is something China respects firmly.'”

This announcement also comes after a series of disagreements between India and the new administration in the Maldives, with India standing accused of attempting to undermine the Maldives’ tourism industry. Tourism is the largest industry in the Maldives, accounting for 28% of GDP and more than 60% of the country’s foreign exchange receipts.

Reporting just as President Muizzu began his state visit, China’s Global Times, prefigured this issue, noting that, “ President Muizzu’s decision to visit China before India has raised concerns among some Indian media outlets, with many speculating that the Maldivian leader is pursuing an ‘India-out’ policy and leaning toward China.

“Chinese analysts said that interpreting Muizzu’s China visit as being pro-China reflects the lack of confidence among certain Indian politicians. They believe that India’s long-standing hegemonic mentality in South Asia is the root cause of strained relations with some regional countries, including the Maldives and that India should not shift the blame onto China by hyping the narrative of competition with China in the region as an excuse.”

Long Xingchun, a professor at the School of International Relations at Sichuan International Studies University, noted that China respects the Maldives’ sovereignty and does not interfere in its domestic affairs. Unlike India, China does not exclude other countries’ cooperation with the Maldives. On the contrary, China encourages and welcomes more countries, including India, to engage in collaboration with the Maldives.

Global Times also reported that Chinese analysts said that India’s strained relations with certain countries in South Asia can be attributed to its perception of being the regional boss. Instead of shifting blame to China, India should take a moment to reflect on its policies toward its neighbours and abandon the zero-sum mentality.

Lin Minwang, deputy director at the Centre for South Asian Studies at Fudan University, told Global Times that the Indian media has attempted to exert pressure on Muizzu by hyping the so-called “pro-China” policy. This highlights India’s view of itself as a hegemon in the region, expecting leaders of other countries to seek its approval.

The following articles were originally published by the Xinhua News Agency and Global Times.

China, Maldives upgrade ties as presidents hold talks

BEIJING, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with President of the Republic of Maldives Mohamed Muizzu in Beijing on Wednesday.

The two heads of state announced the elevation of bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

Xi said that the people of the two countries established friendly ties through the ancient Maritime Silk Road, undertook productive cooperation in the construction of the Belt and Road and other areas in recent years, and set a good example of equality, mutual assistance and mutual benefit between countries big and small over the past 52 years of diplomatic ties.

Sun Haiyan meets with delegation from the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna of Sri Lanka

A delegation of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP – People’s Liberation Front), the largest Marxist party in Sri Lanka, visited China in December 2023. It was headed by party leader Anura Dissanayake.

Meeting the Sri Lankan visitors, Sun Haiyan, Vice-Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee (IDCPC), said that China and Sri Lanka enjoy a long-standing friendship that has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. The CPC is willing to further intensify friendly exchanges with the JVP, strengthen mutual learning, carry forward the traditional friendship between China and Sri Lanka, and promote China-Sri Lanka relations for greater development.

Dissanayake highly appreciated the remarkable achievements the Chinese people made under the leadership of General Secretary Xi Jinping and the CPC. He thanked the CPC and the Chinese government for their critical support when Sri Lanka was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic crisis. He expressed willingness to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the CPC, learn the successful experience in party building and state governance from the CPC, and work with the Chinese side to promote cooperation between Sri Lanka and China in various fields for continuous and new results.

The JVP leads the Jathika Jana Balawegaya (JJB – National People’s Power), an alliance of 28 left wing political parties and mass organisations of workers, women, youth, ethnic groups, and others, that it formed in 2015. With three MPs, it is currently the fourth largest party in the Sri Lankan parliament. In the previous parliament, the JVP held six seats, also as the fourth largest party. However, to put this into context, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and the United National Party (UNP), the two main political parties throughout most of Sri Lanka’s post-colonial history, are both now reduced to holding just one parliamentary seat each. The UNP, which despite the collapse in its support still holds the presidency, held 106 seats as the largest party in the last parliament.

The China visit by the JVP delegation is significant as, having enjoyed close relations for a considerable time, the relations between the two parties appeared to have gone into abeyance in recent years due to some disagreements on the part of the Sri Lankan comrades. It is to be hoped that the December visit marks a fresh start in their friendly ties.

The following article was originally published on the IDCPC website.

Beijing, December 25th—Sun Haiyan, Vice-minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, met here today with a delegation led by Anura Dissanayake, Leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) of Sri Lanka.

Sun said, China and Sri Lanka enjoy a long-standing friendship that has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. The two countries have joined hands to cope with various challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and economic difficulties, and have always firmly supported each other on issues involving each other’s core interests and major concerns. The CPC is willing to further intensify friendly exchanges with the JVP, strengthen mutual learning, carry forward the traditional friendship between China and Sri Lanka, and promote China-Sri Lanka relations for greater development.

Dissanayake highly appreciated the remarkable achievements the Chinese people made under the leadership of General Secretary Xi Jinping and the CPC. He thanked the CPC and the Chinese government for the critical support when Sri Lanka was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic crisis. He expressed the willingness to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the CPC, learn the successful experience in party building and state governance from the CPC, and work with the Chinese side to promote cooperation between Sri Lanka and China in various fields for continuous and new results.