Category: International relations

China and Indonesia emphasise that the question of Palestine is the biggest wound to human conscience

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto paid a state visit to China from November 8-10 at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. Testifying to the great importance the Indonesian head of state is attaching to his country’s relations with China, this was his first foreign visit since he assumed office on October 20. Similarly, he had previously visited China from March 31-April 2 as his first foreign visit after being declared President Elect.

The two heads of state held talks on November 9.

Xi Jinping noted that Prabowo Subianto visited China on his first overseas trip right after he was elected as President in March this year and made his first state visit to China after officially taking office, which reflects the great importance President Prabowo Subianto attaches to developing China-Indonesia relations and demonstrates the high level and strategic nature of bilateral relations.

The two sides need to keep to high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, continue to operate well the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway, advance cooperation on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Corridor and the “Two countries, Twin Parks” project, strengthen cooperation in digital economy, advanced manufacturing, circular economy and other areas, carry out joint maritime development cooperation, and continuously deepen all-round mutually beneficial cooperation, so as to better achieve integrated development and advance the two countries’ respective modernisation.

Xi Jinping emphasised that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, and next year marks the 70th anniversary of the Bandung Conference. As major developing countries, emerging markets and major members of the Global South, China and Indonesia should jointly champion Asian values centred on peace, cooperation, inclusiveness and integration, enrich the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and the Bandung Spirit with the imperatives of the new era, lead countries in the Global South to seek strength through unity, and work to make global governance more just and equitable. China is ready to work with Indonesia to carry out closer multilateral strategic coordination, oppose unilateralism and protectionism, advance an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation, and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability.

Prabowo Subianto said that China is a great country. Indonesia and China have a thousand-year history of friendly exchanges, and bilateral relations have maintained a sound momentum of development. Under the current complex international situation, Indonesia hopes to work with China to further strengthen all-round strategic coordination, become closer comprehensive strategic partners, and build a community with a shared future that has regional and global influence, which will not only benefit the two peoples, but also create a favourable environment for better achieving peaceful development in Asia. Indonesia is ready to work with China to continue high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, improve the “five pillars” cooperation pattern, and strengthen all-round cooperation throughout the industrial chains in infrastructure, energy and mining, medicine, agriculture, housing, joint maritime development, food security and poverty reduction. Chinese enterprises are welcome to invest in Indonesia. Indonesia fully supports the position of the Chinese government on the Taiwan question, firmly pursues the one-China policy, and steadfastly supports the efforts of the Chinese government to safeguard territorial integrity and realise national reunification. Xinjiang-related matters are entirely China’s internal affairs. Indonesia stands by the principle of non-interference in internal affairs and firmly supports China’s endeavours to safeguard development and stability in Xinjiang.

President Subianto thanked China for upholding fairness and justice on the Palestinian question. Indonesia adheres to its independent and non-aligned foreign policy, will not join any military alliance or “small clique” against a third party, and supports the three major global initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping. Indonesia is ready to enhance communication and cooperation with China within the G20 and other multilateral frameworks in order to make positive efforts to safeguard the common interests of the Global South, and to promote a multipolar world along with the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

The Indonesian President also met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang on the same day.

Premier Li called on the two sides to strengthen the synergy of their development strategies, further expand the scale of bilateral trade and investment, and explore the potential for cooperation on green minerals, photovoltaic wind power, digital economy, marine scientific research and environmental protection, so as to add more impetus to the two countries’ respective development.

China is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with Indonesia on multilateral platforms such as the UN, practice true multilateralism, safeguard international equity and justice, and safeguard the common interests of developing countries, he added.

Subianto said that Indonesia is willing to take the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries next year as an opportunity to intensify exchanges with China at all levels, expand mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, strengthen key projects such as the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway, and intensify exchanges in such fields as education and tourism.

Continue reading China and Indonesia emphasise that the question of Palestine is the biggest wound to human conscience

Donald Trump and the drive to war against China

In the following article, which first appeared in slightly shorter form in Labour Outlook, Carlos Martinez assesses the prospects for the US-led New Cold War against China under a second Trump presidency, and the possibility of military conflict between the world’s two largest economies.

The article begins by noting that US policy towards China has been relatively consistent for over a decade, starting with the Obama-Clinton ‘Pivot to Asia’ in 2011, followed by the Trump administration’s trade war, and then the Biden administration’s sanctions, tariffs, semiconductor war, military provocations and the creation of AUKUS.

What will change under Trump? Carlos notes that “a deepening of economic confrontation seems more than likely”, given Trump’s repeated promises to impose unprecedented tariffs on Chinese goods. And while Trump made noises during his election campaign about wanting to end the US’s “forever wars”, “the appointment of inveterate China hawks Marco Rubio and Michael Waltz as secretary of state and national security adviser sends a clear signal that Trump is planning to escalate hostilities”.

Marco Rubio is an anti-China fanatic, who stands for more tariffs, more sanctions, more slander, more support for Taiwanese separatism, more provocations in the South China Sea, and more destabilisation in Hong Kong and Xinjiang. Mike Waltz has long pushed for closer military cooperation with India, Japan, Australia and other countries in the region in preparation for war against China.

The article notes that China’s consistent offer to the West is based on working together “to tackle the urgent issues facing humanity, including climate change, pandemics, peace, nuclear proliferation, food security and development”. However, it is clear that only mass movements will force Western governments to take up such an offer.

Although the Pivot to Asia was initiated by the Obama administration – when then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was tasked with developing a strategy for “America’s Pacific Century” – it was the Trump presidency from 2017-21 that really turned up the dial in terms of US anti-China hostility.

Donald Trump campaigned in 2016 on a promise to protect jobs by addressing the US’s trade deficit with China: “We can’t continue to allow China to rape our country and that’s what they’re doing. It’s the greatest theft in the history of the world.”

In power, the Trump administration launched a full-scale trade war, imposing enormous tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars of Chinese imports. This was combined with a systematic attack on Chinese technology companies, removing Huawei from US telecoms infrastructure and attempting to prevent TikTok and WeChat from operating in the US.

Militarily, Trump ramped up the US’s presence in the South China Sea and sought to revitalise the Quad group (US, Japan, India and Australia), working towards a broad regional alliance against China.

The State Department oversaw a crackdown on Chinese students and researchers, and, with the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic, Trump resorted to flagrant racism, talking repeatedly about the “kung flu” and the “China virus” – all of which fed in to a horrifying rise in hate crimes against people of East Asian descent.

As such, many breathed a sigh of relief when Joe Biden was elected four years ago. Unfortunately, however, Biden has essentially maintained the anti-China strategic orientation of his predecessor, albeit without the crassly confrontational rhetoric and overt racism. Biden in many ways has been more systematic in pursuit of military and economic containment of China, particularly when it comes to building an international coalition around US strategic interests.

In September 2021, the US, Britain and Australia announced the launch of AUKUS – a nuclear pact, manifestly contravening the Non-Proliferation Treaty, and evidently designed to counter China.

Biden has hosted numerous Quad summit meetings, at which the member states have reiterated their “steadfast commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific” – that is, to preserving a status quo in which the US maintains over 300 military bases in the region, along with tens of thousands of troops, nuclear-enabled warplanes, aircraft carriers, and missile defence systems aimed at establishing nuclear first-strike capability.

The combination of the Quad and AUKUS looks suspiciously like an attempt to create an Asian NATO. Meanwhile Nancy Pelosi’s 2022 trip to Taiwan Province was the highest-level US visit to the island in quarter of a century. In 2023, Biden signed off on direct US military aid to Taiwan for the first time; a BBC headline from November 2023 noted that “the US is quietly arming Taiwan to the teeth”. This undermines the Three Joint Communiqués – which form the bedrock for US-China diplomatic relations – and is clearly aimed at inflaming tensions across the Taiwan Strait and setting up a potential hot war with China over Taiwan. A recently-leaked memo from four-star general Mike Minihan predicted war over Taiwan in 2025: “My gut tells me we will fight in 2025”.

The Biden administration has expanded Trump-era restrictions against China’s technology industry, in particular by launching a ‘chip war’ to slow down China’s progress in semiconductor production, artificial intelligence, mobile phones and more. And while the US government under Biden has set several ambitious climate goals, it has also introduced sweeping sanctions on Chinese solar materials and imposed huge tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.

The unfortunate truth is that there is a consensus among Democrats and Republicans. In Biden’s words, “we’re in a competition with China to win the 21st century” – and the US must win this competition at all costs.

To what extent can we expect the situation to change under a second Trump presidency?

Continue reading Donald Trump and the drive to war against China

Trump presidency threatens us all

What follows is a blog post by Sophie Bolt, the new General Secretary of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), on the threat posed by the Trump presidency to global peace.

Sophie notes that Trump has promised to “stop wars, not start them”, and yet he has already nominated several notorious warmongers to his cabinet, including Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, Michael Waltz as National Security Adviser, and John Ratcliffe as CIA director. Marco Rubio is an anti-China fanatic, who stands for more tariffs, more sanctions, more slander, more support for Taiwanese separatism, more weapons to Taipei, more provocations in the South China Sea, and more destabilisation in Hong Kong and Xinjiang. Waltz has long pushed for closer military cooperation with India, Japan, Australia and other countries in the region in preparation for war against China. Ratcliffe refers to China as “the top threat to US interests and the rest of the free world”.

The article points out that the incoming administration is likely to escalate the US-led New Cold War against China, as well as continuing the drive towards hot war:

As well as intensifying Trump’s protectionist ‘America First’ policy, by increasing tariffs on Chinese goods, a key focus will be racheting up a military confrontation with China. A military build up across the Asia Pacific has been underway for more than a decade, supported by 400 US military bases encircling China and the AUKUS nuclear alliance with Britain and Australia.

Meanwhile Trump’s climate denialism will be another major setback to global cooperation around the climate crisis.

This article was first posted on the CND website.

In Trump’s victory speech, he said he was going to stop wars, not start them. Excuse me if I’m not reassured. Based on his track record and the ultra-hawks he’s putting in the State Department, the threat of war and nuclear confrontation looks higher than ever.

Last time he was President, the US bombed Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq, carried out extra-judicial killings and developed ‘useable’ nuclear weapons. Under his leadership, the US withdrew from landmark nuclear arms control treaties including the Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty, the Open Skies Treaty, and the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA). And it withdrew from the Paris Climate Agreement.

Trump’s new team for the State Department includes ultra China and Iran hawks, Marco Rubio, expected to be nominated for Secretary of State, and Mike Waltz, appointed National Security Advisor.  Certainly Trump’s victory and open support for annexing the West Bank has already emboldened Netanyahu’s genocidal expansionism. This increases the risk of an all-out war on Iran.

As well as intensifying Trump’s protectionist ‘America First’ policy, by increasing tariffs on Chinese goods, a key focus will be racheting up a military confrontation with China. A military build up across the Asia Pacific has been underway for more than a decade, supported by 400 US military bases encircling China and the AUKUS nuclear alliance with Britain and Australia. Richard O’Brien, former security advisor to Trump, laid out in Foreign Affairs what to expect next. ‘As China seeks to undermine American economic and military strength,’ O’Brien argues, ‘Washington should return the favor—just as it did during the Cold War, when it worked to weaken the Soviet economy.’  This prospect of a new cold war is truly horrifying , when we remember how the nuclear arms race in the 1980s, lead to a permanent state of nuclear danger.  

With speculation about what Trump will do in Ukraine, the new British government doesn’t want to take any chances of de-escalation. Starmer has again pressed Biden to agree to Ukraine’s use of its long-range Storm Shadow missiles, which could strike deep into Russian territory. He knows full well that Russia has changed its nuclear use policy in response to such an attack. This only reinforces the need for an urgent negotiated settlement.

NATO membership of Ukraine remains a key factor in the conflict and Ukrainian neutrality will be critical for de-escalating the crisis. But there is absolutely no evidence to back up concerns amongst NATO hawks that Trump will abandon the world’s most powerful nuclear alliance. On the contrary, Trump has called on NATO states to increase defence spending to 3% of GDP. So, continuing to push the burden of funding onto the populations of NATO states. This means the toxic combination of increased militarism, nuclear dangers and austerity policies will continue across Europe.

Trump’s election will strengthen the far right and fascists globally. In Britain, Farage and Tommy Robinson will be emboldened further to whip up hatred, justifying greater military spending for another world war.  

And, as the US is one of the world’s largest polluters, Trump’s decision to pull out of Paris Climate Accord again, is another major set-back for climate action and investment in green technologies.

This shows more starkly than ever how war, racism, austerity, climate breakdown and nuclear annihilation are increasingly interlinked. We can’t allow this recklessly dangerous leader to drag the world towards annihilation. This is why CND is working with all those who oppose Trump to help build the broadest alliance possible for peace, justice and a sustainable, nuclear-free future.

China-Slovakia relations elevated to strategic partnership

Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic Robert Fico paid an official visit to China, October 31-November 5.

He met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on November 1.

Noting that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Slovakia, Xi said that after three-quarters of a century of development, the traditional friendship between the two countries is full of vitality, and the cooperation in various fields has yielded fruitful results, bringing tangible benefits to the people of both countries.

“We have decided to elevate China-Slovakia relations to a strategic partnership, which meets the future development needs of both countries and will inject new and powerful momentum into bilateral cooperation,” Xi said, adding that China is willing to work together with Slovakia to open a new chapter in bilateral relations and lift their ties to a higher level.

In order to expand pragmatic cooperation, Xi said the two countries should make good use of the newly established inter-governmental cooperation committee to strengthen synergy in new energy, transportation and logistics, infrastructure construction and water resources management. China encourages its enterprises to invest in Slovakia and welcomes Slovak enterprises to explore the market in China, he added.

Xi noted that the two countries need to strengthen international cooperation. In a complex and rapidly changing world, both sides should uphold true multilateralism, firmly safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order based on international law, advocate for an equal and orderly multipolar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation, embrace a vision of global governance featuring extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

China attaches great importance to China-EU relations, Xi said, adding that next year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the EU, and China-EU relations should demonstrate due maturity and stability.

The Chinese leader expressed the hope that the new EU institutions will adhere to the orientation of the China-EU partnership, adopt a positive and pragmatic approach, properly manage differences, and refrain from politicising economic and trade issues.

Fico said Slovakia firmly adheres to the one-China policy and recognises the government of the People’s Republic of China as the only legitimate government representing all of China. Slovakia opposes any interference in other countries’ internal affairs and advocates for respecting each country’s choice of development path.

Slovakia appreciates the three major global initiatives put forward by President Xi and is willing to strengthen exchanges with China on state governance experience and actively promote the EU’s commitment to handling differences through dialogue and consultations.

The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis. Xi expounded on China’s consistent principle and position, commending Slovakia for adopting an objective, rational and impartial stance. He welcomed Slovakia, as well as more like-minded countries, to play a positive role in promoting peace talks.

Fico met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang the same day.

Li said that both countries should give full play to the role of the joint economic committee and the science and technology cooperation committee and promote cooperation in various fields including the China-Europe Railway Express, connectivity, and infrastructure construction.

For his part, Fico mentioned that China’s development accomplishments in recent years have set an example for countries around the world. He said Slovakia supports the global initiatives proposed by China.

The prime minister added that Slovakia opposes the extra tariffs imposed by the EU on Chinese electric vehicles, adding that the EU and China should seek a proper solution through dialogue and consultation. He said that Slovakia is willing to strengthen exchanges and coordination with China in international affairs to jointly tackle global challenges.

After their talks, Li and Fico witnessed the signing of multiple documents on bilateral cooperation in the fields of transportation, economy and trade, culture, tourism, and green and low-carbon development.

Also on November 1, Fico met with Zhao Leji, Chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee.

Zhao said that China is ready to work with Slovakia to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, consolidate the political foundation, expand the Belt and Road cooperation and China-Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) cooperation, strengthen people-to-people exchanges, and take China-Slovakia relations to a higher level.

China and Slovakia issued a detailed joint statement on their establishment of a strategic partnership.

It noted that: “The participants accept that they do not have any significant open questions or unresolved issues between them. Friendship and cooperation have always been the mainstream of the bilateral relations and are in line with the common and long-term interests of the two peoples.”

Continue reading China-Slovakia relations elevated to strategic partnership

China and Cuba continue deepening their special, friendly bilateral relations

The close fraternal relations between China and Cuba were underlined and reinforced by the November 6-12 China visit of Esteban Lazo Hernandez, the President of Cuba’s National Assembly of People’s Power, at the invitation of his counterpart, Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC).

The two men met on November 7.

Noting that next year marks the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Cuba, Zhao said that China is willing to work with Cuba to implement the important consensus reached by the two countries’ heads of state, continue deepening the special, friendly bilateral relations in the new era, and promote the steady, far-reaching construction of a community with a shared future between China and Cuba. He added that China has always placed Cuba in a special position in its external relations and is willing to deepen political mutual trust and strategic coordination with the country.

Zhao thanked Cuba for its firm support on the Taiwan question and other issues concerning China’s core interests. He said China supports Cuba firmly in its just struggle against sanctions, blockades and external interference, and will continue providing Cuba with assistance and support within its own capacity. China is ready to strengthen practical cooperation with Cuba in various fields, make good use of coordination mechanisms under the Belt and Road, and deepen cooperation in such fields as agriculture, tourism, sports, biotechnology, clean energy, and information and communication.

He called on both sides to strengthen coordination and speak with one voice on safeguarding each other’s core and major interests, and to undertake dialogue and exchange in the areas of socialist-democracy and rule-of-law development, poverty reduction and public security. The two nations should also promote exchange in the fields of education, culture, youth and media, and consolidate the popular public support for China-Cuba friendship.

Noting that China’s rapid development is a growing force for world peace and has brought development opportunities to Latin America and the Caribbean, Lazo said the National Assembly of People’s Power is willing to strengthen its friendly exchange with China’s NPC, advance exchange and mutual learning in rule-of-law development and other areas, and give play to the positive role of legislative bodies in enhancing the bilateral friendship.

On the same day, Lazo also met with Wang Huning, Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee.

Wang said that China is willing to work with Cuba to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state and jointly build a China-Cuba community with a shared future.

Lazo congratulated the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and the success of the third plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee, noting that Cuba firmly upholds the one-China principle and firmly supports China’s core interests and its major concerns.

Prior to his China visit, Lazo visited the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, November 2-3, and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, November 3-6.

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

China, Cuba vow to strengthen exchange in rule-of-law development

BEIJING, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) — Zhao Leji, China’s top legislator, and Esteban Lazo Hernandez, president of Cuba’s National Assembly of People’s Power, held talks on Thursday in Beijing, vowing to strengthen exchange in the area of rule-of-law development.

Noting that next year marks the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Cuba, Zhao, chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said China is willing to work with Cuba to implement the important consensus reached by the two countries’ heads of state, continue deepening the special, friendly bilateral relations in the new era, and promote the steady, far-reaching construction of a community with a shared future between China and Cuba.

Zhao said China has always placed Cuba in a special position in its external relations, and is willing to deepen political mutual trust and strategic coordination with the country.

Zhao thanked Cuba for its firm support on the Taiwan question and other issues concerning China’s core interests. He said China supports Cuba firmly in its just struggle against sanctions, blockades and external interference, and will continue providing Cuba with assistance and support within its own capacity.

China is ready to strengthen practical cooperation with Cuba in various fields, make good use of coordination mechanisms under the Belt and Road, and deepen cooperation in such fields as agriculture, tourism, sports, biotechnology, clean energy, and information and communication, Zhao said. China is also prepared to translate the high-level political mutual trust between the two countries into further practical cooperation results, he added.

The NPC of China is willing to work with Cuba’s National Assembly of People’s Power to implement the cooperation agreement between the legislative bodies of the two countries, he said. He called on both sides to strengthen coordination and speak with one voice on safeguarding each other’s core and major interests, and to undertake dialogue and exchange in the areas of socialist-democracy and rule-of-law development, poverty reduction and public security. The two nations should also promote exchange in the fields of education, culture, youth and media, and consolidate the popular public support for the China-Cuba friendship.

Zhao also said that the legislatures of the two countries can promote the exchange of experience in strengthening key legislation areas and improving the quality of legislation.

Lazo said that Cuba adheres firmly to the one-China principle, supports the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, and is willing to learn from China’s experience in reform and opening-up, as well as in party construction.

Noting that China’s rapid development is a growing force for world peace and has brought development opportunities to Latin America and the Caribbean, Lazo said the National Assembly of People’s Power is willing to strengthen its friendly exchange with China’s NPC, advance exchange and mutual learning in rule-of-law development and other areas, and give play to the positive role of legislative bodies in enhancing bilateral friendships.

Zhao and Lazo signed a cooperation agreement between their two legislative bodies following their meeting.

China’s top political advisor meets president of Cuba’s National Assembly of People’s Power

BEIJING, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) — China’s top political advisor Wang Huning met with Esteban Lazo Hernandez, president of Cuba’s National Assembly of People’s Power, in Beijing on Thursday.

Wang, chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, said China is willing to work with Cuba to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state and jointly build a China-Cuba community with a shared future.

The CPPCC National Committee is ready to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with Cuba and push the friendly exchanges and cooperation between the two parties, countries and peoples to a higher level, Wang said.

Lazo congratulated the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and the success of the third plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee, noting that Cuba firmly upholds the one-China principle and firmly supports China’s core interests and its major concerns.

Cuba stands ready to work with China to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, strengthen bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various fields such as economy and party building, jointly build a community with a shared future between the two sides, and safeguard international fairness and justice, Lazo said.

China-South Africa relations a model of solidarity and cooperation for developing countries

The “special and close relationship” between South Africa and China was underlined by the November 5-7 official goodwill visit to South Africa by Li Xi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, at the invitation of the African National Congress (ANC).

Li held talks with South African President and ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa in Cape Town. He also met with Speaker of the National Assembly and ANC National Executive Committee member Thokozile Didiza, as well as ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, in Pretoria.

In his meeting with Ramaphosa, Li said China and South Africa have forged deep-rooted friendship, and their relations have entered a “golden era” in recent years under the guidance of the two heads of state.

China will fully support South Africa’s presidency of the G-20 in 2025, and deepen coordination and cooperation on international and regional issues with South Africa so that they might together play a leading role in the modernisation of the Global South and promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

Underlining the special and close relationship between South Africa and China, Ramaphosa said the two heads of state have recently elevated bilateral relations to an all-round strategic cooperative partnership in the new era, a move that is bound to deepen bilateral cooperation in various fields.

South Africa applauds China’s openness to South Africa and Africa, viewing it as an important opportunity, he said, noting that South Africa’s Government of National Unity will maintain continuity in his country’s policy toward China, strengthen friendly cooperation and enhance coordination and cooperation through multilateral international mechanisms.

During talks with Didiza, Li said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations 26 years ago, China-South Africa relations have made enormous strides and set a model of solidarity and cooperation for developing countries.

Didiza thanked China for its valuable support during South Africa’s struggle for national independence and in its nation-building process. She expressed readiness to utilise the regular exchange mechanism between the two countries’ legislative bodies to enhance exchanges at all levels, strengthen ties between the two peoples, and foster cooperation in various fields to jointly uphold the interests of developing countries.

In his talks with Mbalula, Li said that the ANC is a major African political party with a fine tradition and extensive influence, and the relationship between the CPC and the ANC is a vital cornerstone of China-South Africa relations.

Mbalula said the ANC and the CPC have forged profound friendship through their long-term exchanges. He applauded the achievements of the CPC as a century-old party that has been pursuing reform and innovation and leading China’s development.

He added that the ANC is willing to learn from the CPC’s experiences in economic development, full and rigorous Party self-governance and anti-corruption efforts to better address internal and external challenges and foster new developments in South-South cooperation and China-South Africa relations.

During the visit, Li noted that the source of the overwhelming victory and comprehensive consolidation of China’s anti-corruption campaign lies fundamentally in the centralised and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping at its core and with the adherence to the people-centered development philosophy.

This victory, he explained, was also achieved through China’s sustained high-pressure approach to fighting corruption, reinforced discipline and conduct, and coordinated measures that tackle corruption at all levels. China is ready to enhance anti-corruption exchanges and cooperation with South Africa.

Continue reading China-South Africa relations a model of solidarity and cooperation for developing countries

Top DPRK leader sends wreath to China-DPRK Friendship Tower

On October 25, the top leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) and President of the State Affairs of the DPRK, sent a wreath to the Friendship Tower in Pyongyang marking the 74th anniversary of the Chinese People’s Volunteers (CPV) entering the DPRK to fight in the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported. The words, “We will remember the martyrs of the Chinese People’s Volunteers forever” were written on the wreath’s ribbon.

KCNA further reported that wreaths were also presented in the name of leading state and government bodies both at the Friendship Tower as well as at the cemeteries and graves of CPV martyrs in various parts of the country.

Wreaths were also laid by the Chinese Ambassador and members of his staff. 

The Friendship Tower was built to remember the Chinese People’s Volunteers who fell in the war of 1950-53. It is situated in the heart of the DPRK capital Pyongyang, on a hill overlooking the Chinese Embassy.

DPRK diplomats paid similar tributes at martyrs’ cemeteries in Shenyang and Dandong, in China’s Liaoning province.

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

Top DPRK leader sends wreath to China-DPRK Friendship Tower

The top leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Friday sent a wreath to the China-DPRK Friendship Tower in Pyongyang on the occasion of the 74th anniversary of the Chinese People’s Volunteers entering the DPRK to fight in the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea, the DPRK’s official Korean Central News Agency reported on Saturday.

The words “We will remember the martyrs of the Chinese People’s Volunteers forever” were written on the ribbon of the wreath sent by Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) and president of the State Affairs of the DPRK.

Upon authorization, Ri Il Hwan, member of the Political Bureau and secretary of the WPK Central Committee, laid the wreath before the tower, the report said.

Wreaths Laid at Friendship Tower

Wreaths were laid at the Friendship Tower on October 25 to mark the 74th anniversary of the entry of the Chinese People’s Volunteers (CPV) into the Korean Front.

Seen standing before the tower was a wreath bearing the august name of the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un.

The guard of honor of the Korean People’s Army lined up there.

Present at the wreath-laying ceremony were Kang Yun Sok, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA) of the DPRK, Mun Song Hyok, vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, Pak Myong Ho, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, and officials concerned.

The national anthems of the People’s Republic of China and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea were played.

Amid the playing of wreath-laying music, wreaths in the names of the SPA Standing Committee and the Cabinet of the DPRK were placed before the tower.

Also laid were wreaths in the names of the Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of Urban Management and a wreath in the joint name of the Pyongyang Municipal Committee of the WPK and the Pyongyang Municipal People’s Committee.

The participants paid silent tribute to the memory of the CPV martyrs before going round the tower.

On the same day, wreaths were placed at the cemeteries and graves of CPV fallen fighters in Hyongjesan District of Pyongyang Municipality, Anju City and Hoechang County of South Phyongan Province, Onsong County of North Hamgyong Province and Kaesong Municipality.

Xi meets with leaders of Russia, Laos, Iran, Egypt and Vietnam

Chinese President Xi Jinping held a number of bilateral meetings with fellow leaders in the margins of the BRICS Summit, which was held, October 22-24, in the Russian city of Kazan.

Xi met with his host, President Vladimir Putin on the day of his arrival. He said that China and Russia have found the right way for neighbouring major countries to get along with each other, which features non-alliance, non-confrontation and not targeting any third party.

Noting that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia, Xi said that over the past years, the relationship between the two countries has weathered challenges.

Noting that the world today is facing momentous transformations unseen in a century, resulting in a fast-changing and turbulent international landscape, he expressed confidence that the profound and lasting friendship between China and Russia will not change, nor will their sense of responsibility as major countries for the world and for the people.

Despite complex and severe external challenges, bilateral cooperation in areas such as trade continues to advance, and large-scale joint projects remain stable in operation, he said, adding that both countries should further promote the alignment of the Belt and Road Initiative with the Eurasian Economic Union to support their respective high-quality economic development.

Next year marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations and the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, Xi stressed. China and Russia, both permanent members of the UN Security Council and major countries in the world, should deepen comprehensive strategic coordination, strengthen communication and coordination within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, promote a correct view of World War II history, firmly uphold the UN-centred international system, and jointly safeguard global strategic stability along with international fairness and justice.

President Vladimir Putin said that thanks to joint efforts from both sides, the Russia-China cooperation, based on equality, mutual respect, and mutual benefit, continues to advance, and the activities of the Russia-China Years of Culture have been successfully held, adding that Russia stands ready to further deepen cooperation with China and boost the development and revitalisation of both countries.

Noting that next year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, Putin said that both Russia and China made tremendous sacrifices for victory in the World Anti-Fascist War, and that Russia is willing to commemorate this important milestone together with China.

Also on October 22, Xi met with Thongloun Sisoulith, General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and President of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (LPDR), saying that the two sides should continue to strengthen the development of the China-Laos Railway and promote the construction of the China-Laos Economic Corridor.

As socialist comrades and brothers, the relations with Laos are of special importance in China’s neighbourhood diplomacy, and the two countries have always stayed at the forefront of building a community with a shared future, Xi said, adding that regardless of how the international situation changes, China will always be a trustworthy friend and partner of Laos.

Congratulating Laos on successfully hosting the East Asian Leaders’ meetings on cooperation, the Chinese President said he welcomes Laos’ active participation in BRICS cooperation.

Thongloun Sisoulith said that he went to China last year to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and signed with Xi a new version of the action plan for building a China-Laos community with a shared future, which is being implemented effectively at present.

Laos-China relations are at their best in history, with bilateral cooperation expanding in depth and breadth, he added.

The following day, Xi met with the new Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and said that no matter how the international and regional situations change, China will unswervingly develop friendly cooperation with Iran.

Continue reading Xi meets with leaders of Russia, Laos, Iran, Egypt and Vietnam

China and Cuba: Advancing the socialist cause and building a shared future

The close fraternal friendship between China and Cuba was reaffirmed in a recent visit of a delegation of the Communist Party of China (CPC) to the socialist Caribbean island, led Li Shulei, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Central Committee’s Publicity Department.  The delegation was in Cuba to attend the sixth joint theoretical seminar between the CPC and the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC), which was held on October 23, with the theme, “Advancing the Socialist Cause and Building a Shared Future.”

The previous day, Li had met with Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the PCC and President of the Republic of Cuba.

Li said China is ready to work with Cuba to implement the important consensus reached by the two top leaders, deepen traditional ties, expand friendly cooperation, and support each other on issues concerning each other’s core interests, while collaborating closely on international and regional issues and jointly building a China-Cuba community with a shared future.

Having received the greetings of his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, Díaz-Canel asked Li to convey his best wishes to Xi and spoke highly of the special friendship between the two parties and countries.

Li also met with Esteban Lazo Hernández, a member of the Political Bureau of the PCC Central Committee, President of Cuba’s National Assembly of People’s Power and President of Cuba’s Council of State, held talks with Roberto Morales Ojeda, member of the Political Bureau and Secretary of Organisation of the PCC Central Committee, and visited General Raúl Castro, leader of the Cuban Revolution.

Granma, the official organ of the PCC, quoted Díaz-Canel as telling Li, with unmistakable reference to the severe economic crisis currently being faced by Cuba, characterised not least by repeated nationwide power outages: “This visit, at the moment Cuba is living, is one more proof of the indestructible bonds of friendship that exist between our peoples, parties and governments.”

He added that he was looking forward to meeting again with Xi Jinping at the upcoming BRICS Summit in the Russian city of Kazan. However, Díaz-Canel later cancelled his visit due to the domestic economic situation.

Similar sentiments to those expressed by Díaz-Canel were echoed by Esteban Lazo Hernández, who told the Chinese comrades:

“A visit, in the midst of this situation, is one more expression of the deep ties of unbreakable friendship that exist between the Communist Party of China and that of Cuba and, likewise, between our peoples.”

He further underlined the relevance of the seminar held in Havana, saying: “I want to reiterate the importance and usefulness of the theoretical seminars to exchange experiences on the construction of socialism on the tenth anniversary of the beginning of this inter-party practice.”

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

Cuba’s top leader meets senior Chinese official

HAVANA, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) — Miguel Diaz-Canel, first secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) and Cuban president, met on Tuesday with Li Shulei, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, who led a CPC delegation to Cuba and attended the sixth theoretical seminar of the two parties.

Li conveyed warm greetings from Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, to Diaz-Canel, noting that Xi and Diaz-Canel have reached important consensuses on the development of party-to-party and state-to-state relations, charting a clear course for the longstanding friendship between China and Cuba.

Continue reading China and Cuba: Advancing the socialist cause and building a shared future

President Xi urges China and India to strengthen communication and cooperation

During his recent visit to the Russian city of Kazan, where he attended the October 22-24 summit meeting of the BRICS cooperation mechanism, Chinese President Xi Jinping also held a number of important meetings on the sidelines.

Among the most significant was his October 23 meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the two men’s first formal talks since October 2019. Clashes on the two countries’ disputed border (an issue left over from the days of British colonialism) in the Galwan Valley in 2020 had led to a sharp deterioration in bilateral relations. Two days before the Kazan meeting, the Indian Foreign Ministry had announced that an agreement had been reached on patrolling arrangements, which had been the immediate cause of the clash.

At the meeting, President Xi urged China and India to strengthen communication and cooperation, enhance strategic mutual trust, and facilitate each other’s pursuit of their development aspirations. He pointed out that as time-honoured civilisations, large developing countries and important members of the Global South, China and India both stand at a crucial phase of their respective modernisation endeavours.

It is in the fundamental interest of the two countries and two peoples to keep to the trend of history and the right direction of bilateral relations, he said, urging the two sides to shoulder their international responsibility, set an example in boosting the strength and unity of developing countries, and contribute to promoting a multipolar world and greater democracy in international relations.

For his part, Prime Minister Modi noted that maintaining the steady growth of India-China relations is critical to the two countries and peoples. It not only concerns the well-being and future of 2.8 billion people, but also carries great significance for peace and stability of the region and even the world at large.

Against a complex international landscape, cooperation between India and China, two ancient civilisations and engines of economic growth, can help drive economic recovery and promote multipolarity in the world.

The two leaders commended the important progress the two sides had recently made through intensive communication on resolving the relevant issues in the border areas. Modi made suggestions on improving and developing the relationship, which Xi agreed to in principle.

Stressing the need to ensure peace and tranquillity in the border areas and find a fair and reasonable settlement, they agreed on holding talks between their foreign ministers and officials at various levels to bring the relationship back to sound and steady development at an early date.

They further agreed to strengthen communication and cooperation in multilateral fora to safeguard the common interests of developing countries and were of the view that their meeting was constructive and carries great significance. They agreed to view and handle China-India relations from a strategic height and long-term perspective, prevent specific disagreements from affecting the overall relationship, and contribute to maintaining regional and global peace and prosperity and to advancing multipolarity in the world.

India’s main communist parties were quick to voice their support for the meeting and its outcome.

People’s Democracy, the newspaper of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) wrote that:

“The economic problems confronting the Indian bourgeoisie have forced them to lobby for easing the ability to do business with China. According to the data of the Ministry of Commerce, China has emerged as India’s top import source with 56.29 billion dollars’ worth of inbound shipments during the April-September period of this fiscal year. In a globalised economic world order, it is increasingly recognised that it is beneficial for both countries to increase economic cooperation. Certain industries for the production of goods like electric vehicles (EVs), smartphones, solar panels and medicine have been identified by the Indian government to transform the country into a manufacturing hub. Most of these industries require the restoration of economic relations with China.”

Continue reading President Xi urges China and India to strengthen communication and cooperation

Xi Jinping: Global South countries marching together toward modernisation is monumental in world history

The summit meeting of the BRICS cooperation mechanism was held, October 22-24, in Kazan, the capital city of the Republic of Tatarstan in the Russian Federation, and was hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Alongside dozens of other events within its framework, the summit of the nine full members of BRICS was held on October 23, under the theme “Strengthening Multilateralism for Equitable Global Development and Security”. This was the first such gathering in which Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa were joined by Ethiopia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Iran, since the 2023 summit meeting held in South Africa invited the latter four countries to take up full membership in the first wave of BRICS expansion.

This meeting was followed, on October 24, by the “BRICS Plus” Leaders Dialogue, the first gathering of its kind, which was held under the theme, “BRICS and the Global South: Building a Better World Together”.

In all, the Kazan gathering drew the participation of leaders of 36 countries and territories, including 22 heads of state. The leaders of six international organisations, including the Secretary-General of the United Nations, also attended.

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered keynote speeches at both the October 23 and 24 meetings. Together, they provide correct strategic guidance to advance the collective agenda and shared goals of the Global South at the present time.

On October 23, President Xi addressed the BRICS Summit, with a speech entitled, “Embracing a Broader View and Cutting Through the Fog of Challenges to Advance High-Quality Development of Greater BRICS Cooperation”.  He said:

“I would like to take this opportunity to once again welcome new members to our BRICS family. The enlargement of BRICS is a major milestone in its history and a landmark event in the evolution of the international situation. At this summit, we have decided to invite many countries to become partner countries, which is another major progress in the development of BRICS…

“As the world enters a new period defined by turbulence and transformation, we are confronted with pivotal choices that will shape our future. Should we allow the world to descend into the abyss of disorder and chaos, or should we strive to steer it back on the path of peace and development? This reminds me of a novel by Nikolay Chernyshevsky entitled ‘What Is to Be Done?’ The protagonist’s unwavering determination and passionate drive are exactly the kind of willpower we need today. The more tumultuous our times become, the more we must stand firm at the forefront, exhibiting tenacity, demonstrating the audacity to pioneer and displaying the wisdom to adapt. We must work together to build BRICS into a primary channel for strengthening solidarity and cooperation among Global South nations and a vanguard for advancing global governance reform.”

Setting out the key tasks for BRICS members at present, Xi said that:

– We should build a BRICS committed to peace and we must all act as defenders of common security. In this context he specifically referred to the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. “The Ukraine crisis still persists. China and Brazil, in collaboration with other countries from the Global South, initiated a group of Friends for Peace to address the crisis. The aim is to gather more voices advocating peace. We must uphold the three key principles: no expansion of the battlefields, no escalation of hostilities, and no fanning flames, and strive for swift de-escalation of the situation. While the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, the flames of war have once again been rekindled in Lebanon, and conflicts are escalating among the parties. We must promote an immediate ceasefire and an end to the killing. We must make unremitting efforts toward a comprehensive, just and lasting resolution of the Palestinian question.”

– We should build a BRICS committed to innovation, and we must all act as pioneers of high-quality development. China has recently launched a China-BRICS Artificial Intelligence Development and Cooperation Centre. We are ready to deepen cooperation on innovation with all BRICS countries to unleash the dividends of AI development.

– We should build a BRICS committed to green development, and we must all act as promoters of sustainable development. Green is the defining colour of our times. It is important that all BRICS countries proactively embrace the global trend of green and low-carbon transformation.

– We should build a BRICS committed to justice and we must all act as forerunners in reforming global governance. In light of the rise of the Global South, we should respond favourably to the calls from various countries to join BRICS. We should advance the process of expanding BRICS membership and establishing a partner country mechanism and enhance the representation and voice of developing nations in global governance. 

– The current developments make the reform of the international financial architecture all the more pressing. The New Development Bank should be expanded and strengthened.

– We should build a BRICS committed to closer people-to-people exchanges, and we must all act as advocates for harmonious coexistence among all civilisations.

In conclusion he stated: “China is willing to work with all BRICS countries to open a new horizon in the high-quality development of greater BRICS cooperation and join hands with Global South countries in building a community with a shared future for humanity.”

Xi Jinping addressed the BRICS Plus Dialogue on the theme, “Combining the Great Strength of the Global South to Build Together a Community with a Shared Future for Humanity”. He said that:

“The collective rise of the Global South is a distinctive feature of the great transformation across the world. Global South countries marching together toward modernisation is monumental in world history and unprecedented in human civilisation.”

He went on to argue that:

– We should uphold peace and strive for common security. Last July, Palestinian factions reconciled with each other in Beijing, marking a key step toward peace in the Middle East. We must stop the flames of war from spreading in Lebanon and end the miserable sufferings in Palestine and Lebanon.

– We should reinvigorate development and strive for common prosperity.

– We should promote together the development of all civilisations and strive for harmony among them.

Xi Jinping concluded: “No matter how the international landscape evolves, we in China will always keep the Global South in our heart and maintain our roots in the Global South. We support more Global South countries in joining the cause of BRICS as full members, partner countries or in the “BRICS Plus” format so that we can combine the great strength of the Global South to build together a community with a shared future for humanity.”

The following is the full text of the two speeches. They were originally published by the Xinhua News Agency.

Full Text: Address by Chinese President Xi Jinping at 16th BRICS Summit

KAZAN, Russia, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday delivered an important speech at the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia.

The following is the full text of the speech:

Embracing a Broader View and Cutting Through the Fog of Challenges to Advance High-Quality Development of Greater BRICS Cooperation

Your Excellency President Vladimir Putin,

Colleagues,

First of all, I wish to extend my warm congratulations on the successful opening of this summit. I also wish to thank President Putin and our host Russia for the thoughtful arrangements and warm hospitality.

I would like to take this opportunity to once again welcome new members to our BRICS family. The enlargement of BRICS is a major milestone in its history, and a landmark event in the evolution of the international situation. At this summit, we have decided to invite many countries to become partner countries, which is another major progress in the development of BRICS. As we Chinese often say, “A man of virtue regards righteousness as the greatest interest.” It is for our shared pursuit and for the overarching trend of peace and development that we BRICS countries have come together. We must make full use of this summit, maintain the momentum of BRICS, and consider and devise our strategy to address issues that have a global impact, determine our future direction, and possess strategic significance. We must build on this milestone summit to set off anew and forge ahead with one heart and one mind.

As the world enters a new period defined by turbulence and transformation, we are confronted with pivotal choices that will shape our future. Should we allow the world to descend into the abyss of disorder and chaos, or should we strive to steer it back on the path of peace and development? This reminds me of a novel by Nikolay Chernyshevsky entitled What Is to Be Done? The protagonist’s unwavering determination and passionate drive are exactly the kind of willpower we need today. The more tumultuous our times become, the more we must stand firm at the forefront, exhibiting tenacity, demonstrating the audacity to pioneer and displaying the wisdom to adapt. We must work together to build BRICS into a primary channel for strengthening solidarity and cooperation among Global South nations and a vanguard for advancing global governance reform.

Continue reading Xi Jinping: Global South countries marching together toward modernisation is monumental in world history

Li Qiang: The only true security is security for all

Following his visits to Laos and Vietnam, Chinese Premier Li Qiang paid an official visit to Pakistan, October 14-17, and participated in the 23rd Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), chaired by Pakistan.

In his address to the heads of government meeting, delivered on October 16, Premier Li noted that:

“At the Astana Summit held last July, President Xi Jinping and fellow leaders of member states reached important understandings on jointly building a common home of the SCO featuring solidarity and mutual trust, peace and tranquility, prosperity and development, good-neighbourliness and friendship, and fairness and justice. This endeavour to build a common home is driven by the values we all share; it focuses on the tough issues we all face, and will help create a future we all desire.”

He expressed the view that this common vision necessitated efforts in five aspects:

  • To build an even more solid political foundation.
  • To provide more reliable security safeguards. “As we speak, geopolitical conflicts, power politics and acts of bullying continue to undermine regional peace and stability, while on such fronts as cyber security and biosecurity, new threats and new challenges continue to emerge. No country is immune, and the only true security is security for all.”
  • To foster closer economic bonds. “The SCO’s continuous expansion of membership in recent years has created more notable economic complementarity among member states. By deepening our economic ties, resisting external attempts at pulling us apart, and tapping into and pooling our respective strengths in resources, market and industries, we will be able to foster even stronger synergy for development.”
  • To cultivate stronger emotional bonds. “Our region is home to diverse and splendid civilisations, where different nations and cultures have interacted and converged with each other throughout the course of history and coexisted in harmony. This has been the source of popular support for cooperation among SCO member states.”
  • To boost coordination in multilateral fora. “Embracing 26 countries from three continents [including Members, Observers and Dialogue Partners], the SCO family is a constructive force that carries important global influence.”

The meeting adopted a Joint Communique, in which:

“The Heads of Delegation noted that the Member States advocate respect for the right of peoples to independently and democratically choose their political, social and economic development, emphasising that the principles of mutual respect for the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of states, equality, mutual benefit, non-interference in internal affairs, non-use of force or threat of use of force, are the basis for the sustainable development of international relations. They reaffirm the commitment to the peaceful settlement of differences and disputes between countries through dialogue and consultations.”

They further noted the tectonic shifts in the global economy, characterised by rapid advancements and interconnectivity in the areas of information technology, digitalisation, artificial intelligence, virtual/digital assets, e-commerce, and so on. They expressed concern over the exacerbation of various challenges that have led to reduced investment flows, disrupted supply chains and caused uncertainty in global financial markets as a result of protectionist measures and other impediments to international trade.

They also opposed protectionist actions, unilateral sanctions and trade restrictions that undermine the multilateral trading system and impede global sustainable development. The heads of delegations emphasised that the unilateral application of sanctions is incompatible with the principles of international law and has a negative impact on third countries and international economic relations.

Recognising the unique role of physical culture and sport in strengthening solidarity and peace, the Heads of Delegations stressed that the SCO Member States will promote the development of international sports cooperation on an equal and depoliticised basis, oppose discrimination against athletes on any grounds, including nationality, language, political and other beliefs, national or social origin. [This refers, in particular, to the discrimination against and exclusion of athletes from member states Russia and Belarus by the Olympic and Paralympic movements as well as some other international sporting bodies.]

The communique further addresses a large number of practical matters across a broad range of subjects.

On October 16, in the margins of the meeting, Li Qiang met with his Russian counterpart Mikhail Mishustin.

Li noted that, under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Vladimir Putin, the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era has maintained a high level of development. The two sides firmly support each other on issues concerning their respective core interests and enjoy fruitful strategic coordination, continued progress in practical cooperation, as well as vigorous people-to-people and sub-national exchanges, delivering tangible benefits to the people of both countries.

Continue reading Li Qiang: The only true security is security for all

Jenny Clegg: Orienting our peace movement towards the Global South

The following is the text of Dr. Jenny Clegg’s speech to our conference celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, held at London’s Bolivar Hall on September 28.

Jenny argues that now, as a wider war looms over us, it is imperative that leftists in the West understand the interconnections between multipolarity, the Global South and China so as to grasp what is going on in the world.

According to her analysis, for the Global South, China provides a model of successful development and the eradication of poverty; its vast market and investment resources puts it at the centre of South-South economic cooperation; whilst its diplomacy fosters unity and promotes pathways towards peace.

Whilst not skirting complexities and problematic factors, she notes that in the next few years, much depends on the BRICS+ holding together.

“The litmus test of BRICS+ right now is their independent foreign policies no matter how hesitant and unreliable… Now is not the time for sitting on the fence, picking and choosing what is right and wrong: that is for the utopian socialists. We have to seize the politics of the moment… if we in Britain can orientate especially our peace movement towards the Global South we will be doing something.”

Jenny is an independent writer and researcher, specialising in China’s development and international role; and a former Senior Lecturer in Asia Pacific Studies at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN). She is the author of ‘China’s Global Strategy: towards a multipolar world’

(Pluto Press, 2009) and ‘Storming the Heavens – Peasants and Revolution in China, 1925-1949 – from a Marxist perspective’ (Manifesto Press, 2024).

There’s more talk now in the Western mainstream about multipolarity, some acknowledgement at least that the world is beginning to change. But 15 years ago, when I was researching for my book on ‘China’s Global Strategy’, I really struggled to find any mention of multipolarity in Western literature.  Yet at the time there was a great deal of debate amongst Chinese scholars about where China fitted into the multipolar trend. 

Today mainstream views see a few random middle powers – Türkiye, Mexico, Malaysia, Australia – starting to play a more important role. The Chinese view, from a historical and materialist perspective, has long recognised multipolarisation as a rebalancing of world power driven by the rise of the Global South.

Now, as a wider war looms over us, it is imperative that leftists in the West understand the interconnections between multipolarity, the Global South and China so as to grasp what is going on in the world.

Amidst multiplying crises, Global South countries are increasingly looking to each other rather than the West.  Given their experiences of vaccine apartheid, high interest rates exacerbating debt, inflation from the Ukraine war, the failure of rich nations to cough up on climate change, Global South countries have every reason to come together as a more vocal force for peace and development.

South-South networks are proliferating; the objective conditions for multipolarisation are unfolding – India and Brazil have risen into the top 10 world economies soon to be followed by Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria displacing G7 members. And subjective consciousness is shifting: one after another, countries across the developing world refused to take sides in the Ukraine conflict – now they are united in horror of Israel’s genocide and in anger and disgust at the double standards of the West’s complicity.

Of course, past experience has shown Global South collective efforts are liable to succumb to imperialist division as when their 1974 call for a New International Economic order fell apart by the 1980s.

Today, the role of China as by far the largest developing state is critical.

For the Global South, China provides a model of successful development and the eradication of poverty; its vast market and investment resources puts it at the centre of South-South economic cooperation; whilst its diplomacy fosters unity and promotes pathways towards peace.

For sure there are problems – reproducing the pattern of colonial trade of raw materials for manufactured goods is hard to change in a short time. Investment projects through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) have not always been the best or wisest, but even if as many as 40 percent run into difficulties – as some critics claim – that means 60 percent are working and are making a difference.

Now China is opening a path for developing countries to leapfrog into a green and digitised future. Throwing itself into the growth of new quality productive forces domestically, China is becoming the indispensable power in the global green transition.

Deals with China in general offer something stable to hold onto in an anarchic world economy. Against the colonial pattern, the recent China-Africa summit saw important commitments which will amount to one million jobs for African people.

Now, catching the new momentum in the Global South, China has accelerated its diplomatic activity in forums such as the SCO, the G77+, the BRICS+, the China-Africa and other such forums. Its global initiatives on development, security and civilisation carry forward the basic principles of the UN Charter building on the five principles of peaceful coexistence and the 1955 Bandung agreement.

Continue reading Jenny Clegg: Orienting our peace movement towards the Global South

Time to step up against China-baiting

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy is paying an official visit to China, October 18-19. It is the first visit by a cabinet member to China since the Labour Party won the July 4 general election.

Lammy’s visit was inauspiciously prefaced by an exchange in the House of Commons on October 16 between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his predecessor and outgoing leader of the Conservative Party Rishi Sunak.

In its October 18 edition, the Morning Star newspaper carried an editorial arguing that it was ‘’time to step up against China baiting”.

It noted that Sunak used one of his last appearances at Prime Minister’s Questions as Leader of the Opposition to run through “a familiar litany of sinophobic talking points”, related to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Ukraine and Britain’s higher education sector, and added:

“Sunak is yesterday’s politician. The alarming thing about the exchange is that Keir Starmer agreed with him on every point.”

It noted that while Starmer claimed that Britain stood for a combination of cooperating with, competing with and challenging China:

“In fact, the government’s position is worse than that. It appears fully signed up to the Washington-led agenda of confrontation with China.”

The editorial goes on to argue the need to, “focus on the central issue – this military, political, economic and diplomatic offensive against what will shortly be the world’s largest economy runs profoundly against the interests of working people in Britain.

“Addressing the economic and social problems crippling Britain after 15 years of crisis, austerity and degradation of core state functions depends, among other things, on developing links with a Chinese economy that remains among the most dynamic in the world.

“Sanctions and disruption of trade will certainly hurt us here in Britain more than they will damage China… if there is indeed a ‘black hole’ in the public finances, then better relations with China would go a very long way to filling it.”

It concludes: “Peace demands an end to sinophobia. The labour and peace movements must step up.”

The following is the full text of the editorial.

In Britain as in the United States there is a political consensus around China-baiting. Never has the old saw that when the House of Commons is united it is nearly always wrong been more applicable.

In one of his last appearances at the dispatch box as Tory leader, Rishi Sunak spent his time at Prime Minister’s Questions this week running through a familiar litany of sinophobic talking points, prompted apparently by Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s impending visit to Beijing.

First, there were the military manoeuvres the People’s Republic is conducting near Taiwan, internationally acknowledged to be Chinese territory under the “one China” principle.

Then there was the human rights situation in Hong Kong, a former British colony where London maintained a regime of political repression and the denial of any democratic rights until its return to China in 1997.

That was followed by a denunciation of China for not falling into line with Nato’s position over Ukraine, as if China was obliged to follow the diplomatic diktats of its former imperialist overlords.

And then Sunak raised various purported threats to Britain’s domestic security from China, in higher education and elsewhere.

Sunak is yesterday’s politician. The alarming thing about the exchange is that Keir Starmer agreed with him on every point.

The Prime Minister claimed that Britain stood for co-operation with China where possible, along with competition economically and challenging it over “values” and national security.

In fact, the government’s position is worse than that. It appears fully signed up to the Washington-led agenda of confrontation with China.

This involves conducting a slander campaign about China’s internal affairs while escalating military tension in the Far East, most notably with the Aukus pact with the US and Australia which gives a new twist to the arms race there.

It is not necessary for socialists and peace campaigners in Britain to provide a counter-narrative on every single issue. China can well look after itself and it is sufficient to note that many of the matters raised in this new cold war are China’s internal concerns which it has the sovereign right to address.

More important is to focus on the central issue — this military, political, economic and diplomatic offensive against what will shortly be the world’s largest economy runs profoundly against the interests of working people in Britain.

Addressing the economic and social problems crippling Britain after 15 years of crisis, austerity and degradation of core state functions depends, among other things, on developing links with a Chinese economy that remains among the most dynamic in the world.

Sanctions and disruption of trade will certainly hurt us here in Britain more than they will damage China.

Sorting out our beleaguered higher education sector, with universities on the edge of insolvency, requires more, not fewer, Chinese students.

An intensified arms race of the sort involved in Aukus and other military deployments to the Pacific will also cost working people dear at a time of floundering public services.

Take these points together then, if there is indeed a “black hole” in the public finances, then better relations with China would go a very long way to filling it.

But the main reason for challenging the bipartisan hostility to China is that it is setting the country on the road to war, trailing as ever behind a US desperate to prolong its fading global hegemony.

Britain has no business whatsoever in striking military poses on the other side of the world, nor in interfering in relations between Beijing and Taiwan.

Peace demands an end to sinophobia. The labour and peace movements must step up.

China and Vietnam reaffirm spirit of being good neighbours, good friends, good comrades, and good partners

Following his October 9-12 visit to Laos, where he also took part in a series of regional meetings, Chinese Premier Li Qiang visited Vietnam from October 12-14, at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart, Pham Minh Chinh. It was Li Qiang’s first visit to the country since he assumed office and the first by a Chinese Premier in 11 years. Moreover, the visit marks a further chapter in the current intense program of high-level bilateral exchanges between the two socialist neighbours.

In his statement on arrival, Li Qiang said that the traditional friendship between China and Vietnam has a long and enduring history, adding that in recent years, under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, bilateral relations have been developing steadily.

Since the beginning of the year, the two countries have maintained close high-level exchanges and achieved fruitful cooperation in various fields, and the building of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future has started well.

In August, Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese President, held talks with To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and Vietnamese President, when the two leaders made a strategic blueprint for comprehensively advancing the China-Vietnam community with a shared future under the new circumstances, charting the course for further development of bilateral relations.

In the face of accelerated changes unseen in a century and growing global risks and challenges, China and Vietnam, as companions of socialism, should strengthen unity and coordination and join hands to promote peace and seek common development, Li said.

On the evening of his arrival, To Lam received the Chinese Premier.

Welcoming Li’s first visit to Vietnam as the Premier of China, Lam stressed that the visit is of important significance, as it helps develop the relationship between the two Parties and the two countries in a deeper and more substantive and comprehensive direction, meeting the aspirations and common interests of the two countries’ people, for peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.

On the occasion of the 75th founding anniversary of the People’s Republic of China, he congratulated the Chinese Party, State, and people on their significant achievements, especially the successful implementation of the reform and open-door policy, which has led to many important accomplishments in socio-economic development.

“Vietnam always considers the development of relations with China as a top priority in its foreign policy,” he stressed.

Congratulating the Vietnamese people on their important achievements under the leadership of the CPV, the Chinese Premier emphasised that his country regards the development of relations with Vietnam as a priority in its neighbourhood diplomacy and affirmed that the Chinese Party and Government consistently support Vietnam’s renewal, development, and socialist construction.

In an atmosphere of friendship and trust, the leaders informed each other about the situation of each Party and each country. Lam briefed his guest on major positive results in socio-economic development, Party building and rectification, and the fight against corruption and negative phenomena in Vietnam in the past time, as well as preparations for the 14th National Congress of the CPV, which is identified as an important milestone, opening a new era – the era for realising the goal of successfully building socialism.

Host and guest also reviewed the outstanding achievements in bilateral cooperation in the past time, showing their delight at the important and comprehensive progress of the Vietnam-China relationship. They emphasised that the two sides have seriously and actively implemented the important high-level common perceptions reached during the historic visits of late Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping in 2022 and 2023 respectively; and the state visit to China by General Secretary of the CPV Central Committee and State President To Lam to China in line with the “six major goals” (stronger political trust, more substantial cooperation in defence-security, deeper and more practical cooperation, more solid social foundation, closer multilateral coordination, and better management and settlement of differences).

Lam and Li agreed to maintain regular exchanges at all levels, especially the high level; effectively promote the channels of party diplomacy, state diplomacy, and people-to-people diplomacy; boost cooperation in the fields of defence, security, and foreign affairs; together respond effectively to non-traditional security challenges; and improve the effectiveness of existing mechanisms between the two countries and expand the implementation of new mechanisms.

The top Vietnamese leader said Vietnam welcomes and is willing to create favourable conditions for Chinese enterprises to invest in large-scale, advanced technology projects in Vietnam, representing China’s development level and bringing practical benefits to both nations and their people. The Chinese Premier emphasised that China will further open its market to Vietnamese agricultural products and support the neighbouring country in establishing trade promotion offices in China.

Li Qiang met his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh on October 13.

Congratulating the Chinese Party, Government and fraternal people on their achievements over the past 75 years, Chinh affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to strengthening and developing its friendly and cooperative relations with China, considering it a consistent policy, an objective requirement, a strategic choice, and a top priority in Vietnam’s foreign policy.

Continue reading China and Vietnam reaffirm spirit of being good neighbours, good friends, good comrades, and good partners

China, Laos witness new landmark of friendship

Chinese Premier Li Qiang visited the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (LPDR) from October 9-12, where he attended the 27th ASEAN [Association of South East Asian Nations] Plus Three [China, Japan and the Republic of Korea] Summit and the 19th East Asia Summit, and then paid an official visit to Laos, October 11-12, at the invitation of Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone. The LPDR is the rotating chair of ASEAN for 2024.

Following his visit to Laos, Li paid an official visit to Vietnam, October 12-14, at the invitation of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. These were Premier Li’s first visits to the two countries since he took office.

Meeting on October 11 with General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith, Li said that China and Laos are socialist comrades and brothers, noting that over the past 60 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the relations between the two parties and two countries have withstood the test of changes in the international landscape and shown new vitality.

He added that China firmly supports Laos in pursuing a socialist path in line with its national conditions and stands ready to continue firmly supporting each other on issues concerning their core interests and major concerns.

Li called on both sides to speed up the implementation of the new action plan for building a China-Laos community with a shared future and to continue promoting the strategic alignment between the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the planned transformation of Laos from a land-locked to a land-linked country.

Hailing China’s historic development achievements and its rising international influence under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, Thongloun said the Lao party, government and people have always regarded China as an inseparable good neighbour, good friend, good comrade and good partner.

Laos is ready to further strengthen high-level exchanges with China, reinforce the alignment of Laos’ national development strategy with the BRI, advance cooperation in key areas such as the Laos-China Railway, deepen cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and push the construction of the Laos-China community with a shared future to a higher level to better benefit the two peoples.

In his meeting with President of the National Assembly of Laos Saysomphone Phomvihane the same day, Li said China and Laos, as friendly socialist neighbours, support each other in the struggle for national independence and liberation, and learn from each other in their respective causes of reform, opening up and innovation. “Comrades and brothers” is a vivid portrayal of the traditional friendship between the two parties and two countries, he added.

For his part, Saysomphone Phomvihane expressed gratitude for China’s long-term support for Laos’ economic and social development, adding that Laos is willing to strengthen exchanges with China’s legislative bodies, deepen the exchange of experience on state governance, promote the in-depth development of Laos-China friendly and practical cooperation, so as to push for more achievements in the building of a Laos-China community with a shared future.

Meeting with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone on October 12, Li said that China and Laos are good neighbours, good friends, good comrades and good partners that share a river and a common future.

Li pointed out that China is ready to work with Laos to speed up the development along the China-Laos Railway and juxtaposed border control, and strengthen cooperation in new energy, advanced manufacturing, digital economy and artificial intelligence, among other fields.

China is also willing to import more quality agricultural products from Laos, he said, calling on the two sides to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in medical care, education, media, culture and tourism and at sub-national levels to deepen mutual understanding and amity between the two peoples and consolidate China-Laos friendship from generation to generation.

Congratulating Laos on the successful hosting of the leaders’ meetings on East Asia cooperation as the rotating chair of ASEAN, Li said that China stands ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Laos in the United Nations, ASEAN, Lancang-Mekong Cooperation and other multilateral mechanisms, actively implement the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilisation Initiative, and jointly advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation.

For his part, Sonexay warmly congratulated China on the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic, highly praised China’s remarkable development achievements, and sincerely thanked China for its long-term strong support for Laos’ economic and social development.

Laos is willing to work with China to implement the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two parties and two countries, strengthen high-level and all-level exchanges in various fields, give full play to the role of the Laos-China Railway in driving economic and trade cooperation, expand collaboration in trade, investment, agriculture, infrastructure, digital economy and other areas, as well as deepen cultural, people-to-people and tourist exchanges and cooperation.

After their meeting, Li and Sonexay together attended a ceremony which displayed cooperation documents on interconnectivity, economy and trade, inspection and quarantine, green development and other fields.  During Li’s visit, the two countries also released a joint statement.

In the statement, China and Laos agreed to continue to strengthen practical cooperation under the framework of strategic alignment between China’s Belt and Road Initiative and Laos’ strategy to “convert the landlocked country into a land-linked hub” and to implement the outline of the cooperation plan for jointly building the Belt and Road between the two countries.

Premier Li Qiang and Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone also attended the inauguration ceremony of the China-aided Mahosot General Hospital building, pledging to reap more fruits in the building of the China-Laos community with a shared future.

Continue reading China, Laos witness new landmark of friendship

China intensifies push for peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine

China used the 2024 session of the United Nations General Assembly, held in New York in the last week of September, to further intensify its diplomatic push for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.

On September 27, a ministerial meeting of the “Friends for Peace” group on the Ukraine crisis was held at the UN headquarters, co-chaired by Foreign Minister Wang Yi along with Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira and Chief Advisor of the Presidency of Brazil Celso Luiz Nunes Amorim. Representatives from 17 Global South countries were present, including the foreign ministers of Egypt, Indonesia, South Africa, Mexico and Zambia.

Wang Yi said, “We gather here with a single purpose: to seek peace… The original intention of this meeting is to unite more forces and amplify stronger voices to contribute Global South countries’ efforts to promoting a ceasefire and achieving lasting peace.”

He emphasised that in the choice between peace and war, the world must resolutely choose peace. “The more critical the situation and the more serious the crisis, the more we cannot give up hope for peace, and the more we cannot slacken our efforts for peace.”

In the choice between dialogue and confrontation, it is essential to firmly choose dialogue. No matter how great the conflicts or how deep the contradictions are, everything must ultimately return to the track of dialogue and negotiation. At the onset of the full escalation of the Ukraine crisis, both Russia and Ukraine were close to reaching an agreement, but it ultimately fell through, and the reasons for this should be reflected upon. [This clearly refers to the efforts of a handful of imperialist countries, principally the United States and Britain, to pressurise, goad and incite Ukraine to reject peace, even when they had already agreed to terms that would have ended the conflict.]

Wang Yi added that Brazil, China, South Africa, Egypt, Indonesia, Türkiye and other countries, as partners of the Global South committed to the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, agreed to launch the “Friends of Peace” initiative on the Ukraine crisis at the platform of the United Nations. The “Friends of Peace” platform is not about taking sides in the conflict, engaging in bloc confrontation, or replacing existing platforms. It is open and welcomes the joining of more like-minded countries, in particular, Global South countries.

In a joint communique issued by the meeting, the participating countries underlined the importance of peaceful solutions for all international conflicts, whilst continuing to promote the spirit of solidarity and partnership between nations, as emphasised by the Bandung principles.

It further stated:

“We call for increased humanitarian assistance and protection of civilians, including women and children. Civilian infrastructures, including peaceful nuclear facilities and other energy facilities should not be the targets of military operation. We support mediation efforts for the exchange of prisoners of war (POWs) between the parties to the conflict.

“We call for refraining from the use or the threat of weapons of mass destruction, particularly nuclear weapons and chemical and biological weapons. All efforts must be made to prevent nuclear proliferation and avoid a nuclear war. All parties must comply with relevant international laws and agreements and resolutely prevent man-made nuclear accidents.”

The following articles were originally published on the website of the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

“Friends for Peace” Group on the Ukraine Crisis Set up in the United Nations

Sep 28 (MFA) — On September 27, 2024 local time, a ministerial meeting of the “Friends for Peace” group on the Ukraine crisis was held at the UN headquarters in New York. The meeting was co-chaired by Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi as well as Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira and Chief Advisor of the Presidency of Brazil Celso Luiz Nunes Amorim. Representatives from 17 Global South countries were present, including Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Ozzy Lamola, Mexican Foreign Minister Alicia Bárcena, and Zambian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mulambo Haimbe.

Wang Yi said, “We gather here with a single purpose: to seek peace.” The Ukraine crisis has entered its third year. The fighting is still raging, the risks of spillover are rising, the dawn of peace has yet to emerge, and the developments in the situation are concerning. The original intention of this meeting is to unite more forces and amplify stronger voices to contribute Global South countries’ efforts to promoting a ceasefire and achieving lasting peace.

Continue reading China intensifies push for peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine

China and DPRK mark 75 years of diplomatic relations

China and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) marked the 75th anniversary of their establishing diplomatic relations on October 6. One of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China, the DPRK had been founded in the previous year. However, the north of Korea had been liberated by communist-led partisans, supported by the Soviet Red Army, in August 1945. Between 1946-49, the Korean communists provided very significant support to their Chinese comrades, making an important contribution to the liberation of north-east China.

Top leaders of China and the DPRK, Xi Jinping and Kim Jong Un, marked the occasion with an exchange of messages.

Xi Jinping wrote that: “For 75 years, the two countries have advanced hand in hand on the road of promoting socialist construction while supporting and strengthening exchange and cooperation with each other in the struggle to consolidate the people’s power and defend national sovereignty and have closely cooperated in the work to promote regional peace and stability and safeguard international equity and justice.

“The traditional China-DPRK friendship has withstood the changes of the times and the trials of the ever-changing international situation and become a precious asset common to the two countries and the two peoples.”

He added that: “In the new era and under the new situation, the Chinese side is ready to jointly promote, together with the DPRK side, the stable and further advance of the socialist cause in the two countries and provide the two peoples with better welfare by continuing to write a new chapter of the traditional China-DPRK friendship through strengthened strategic communications and coordination and deepened friendly exchange and cooperation with the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries as an occasion.”

For his part, Kim Jong Un stated that: “Over the past 75 years, the two parties and the two countries have vigorously advanced along the road of socialism, withstanding all sorts of trials and challenges of history with the firm faith in the validity of their cause.”

He added: “Recently, the Chinese people celebrated the 75th founding anniversary of the People’s Republic of China. We hope that the Chinese people will achieve steady and fresh successes in the course of building a modern socialist country on a full scale under the leadership of the Communist Party of China with you as its core.”

The two countries’ foreign ministers also exchanged greetings.

Wang Yi wrote to his DPRK counterpart Choe Son Hui that, the traditional China-DPRK friendly and cooperative relations have entered a new historic period and are maintaining stable development under the guidance of General Secretary Xi Jinping and General Secretary Kim Jong Un in recent years.

Saying that it is the steadfast policy of the Chinese party and government to successfully defend, consolidate and develop the China-DPRK relations, the message expressed the willingness to promote the greater development of the China-DPRK relations in line with the important common understanding reached by the top leaders of the two parties and two countries and the common desire of the two peoples.

For her part, Choe Son Hui noted that the two countries have supported and closely cooperated with each other in various fields including politics, economy and culture for the past 75 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations.

She added that it is an important duty for the diplomatic field of the two countries to steadily consolidate and develop the DPRK-China friendship and jointly and dynamically promote the socialist cause under the present complicated international situation.

The following articles were originally published by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). A related article issued by the Xinhua News Agency may be read here.

Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Receives Greetings from Chinese President

Pyongyang, October 6 (KCNA) — Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, received a message of greeting from Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and president of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), on October 6.

Continue reading China and DPRK mark 75 years of diplomatic relations

China’s ambassador to the UK: History inspires us to better relations

The following article by Zheng Zeguang, China’s Ambassador to the UK, was originally carried in the special supplement marking the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, which was compiled and edited by Friends of Socialist China and published together with the Morning Star on Saturday, September 28, to coincide with our conference the same day. It is the main body of the speech he delivered at the reception he hosted to mark the anniversary on the evening of September 25.

The Ambassador’s speech was carried in full on the website of the Chinese Embassy, along with a report on the reception. A response to the Ambassador’s speech, on behalf of the British government, was delivered by Catherine West MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

The PDF of the full Morning Star supplement may be downloaded here.

Seventy-five years ago, the birth of New China marked the end of more than a century of humiliation for the country, and the beginning of the historic process of China’s rejuvenation.

Over the past 75 years, under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Chinese people of all ethnic groups have united as one and worked diligently to achieve two phenomenal miracles of rapid economic growth and long-term social stability.

In the new era, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, China has made historic achievements and gone through unprecedented transformation.

We have built a well-off society, and are working towards a great, modern socialist country in all respects. National rejuvenation is now on an irreversible course.

China’s composite national strength has achieved historic growth. Once a poor country, China is now the world’s second biggest economy, and the biggest manufacturer, biggest trader in goods, and the country with the biggest foreign exchange reserves.

Based on constant prices, China’s GDP in 2023 is 223 times larger than that of 1952. The average annual growth rate has been 7.9%.

China has become a scientific and technological powerhouse, and important advances have been made in the country’s national defence capabilities.

China is home to the world’s biggest middle-income group with the best growth potential. We have put in place the world’s largest medical, educational and social security systems. The quality of people’s lives has seen continuous improvement.

China’s development has been an engine for the global economy. From 1979 to 2023, China’s contribution to global economic growth averaged 24.8% annually, and for the period between 2013 and 2023, the figure was over 30%.

China itself is making remarkable progress in green and low carbon transition and is now the world’s biggest clean energy producer. In the meantime, China’s ‘new three’, namely, new energy vehicles, lithium batteries, and photovoltaic products are enabling other countries to expedite their transition.

As a developing country itself, China feels the desire of other developing countries for modernisation and is actually facilitating the modernisation of the Global South, through the Belt and Road Initiative and South-South cooperation.

By the end of 2023, the accumulated investment made by China in Belt and Road partner countries reached over two trillion RMB.

Chinese companies have helped to build Latin America’s first ultra-high-voltage transmission line, Africa’s first modern electrified railway, and its first digital mining project, among many other infrastructure and livelihood projects in developing countries.

China’s development has injected positive energy into world peace. Following an independent foreign policy of peace, China has been building friendship and cooperation with all countries on the basis of mutual respect, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit.

Over the past 75 years, China has never initiated any war or conflict and has never occupied an inch of other countries’ territory. We have always worked for peace and dialogue, and the political settlement of international disputes.

China has sent more troops to UN peacekeeping missions than any other permanent members of the Security Council. We are now the second biggest funding contributor to both the UN and its peacekeeping operations.

In the face of increasing volatility and transformation around the world, we call on all countries to work together to build a community with a shared future and call for an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation. 

We stand ready to work with all parties to earnestly implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilisation Initiative, so as to bring about more stability and economic growth to this turbulent world.

As we speak, the Chinese people are going all out to achieve modernisation through our own path. Daunting as our mission may be, we have full confidence in achieving our goals.

In the next five years, we will complete over 300 reforms and further enhance our institutions in different sectors, as set out at the third plenum of the 20th CPC Central Committee.

With these measures, China’s productivity and social vitality will be further unleashed, the development momentum further reinforced, and new opportunities will be created for China’s cooperation with other countries.

The United Kingdom was among the first major Western countries to recognise New China. And it has been 52 years now since the two countries established full-fledged diplomatic relations.

History has taught us a lot about the relations between these two countries:

–Despite the differences in political system, history and culture, we have a lot in common and extensive shared interests.

–Exchanges and cooperation conform to the common aspiration of our peoples and serve the fundamental interests of both sides.

–With our respective advantages in economy, education and culture, there are great potentials for collaboration.

–We can contribute to the resolution of major international issues by working together, and this is also our responsibility as two permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.

Last month, President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Keir Starmer reached important common understanding in their phone call. They agreed that we should uphold mutual respect, enhance engagement, and expand cooperation.

And recently, Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Foreign Secretary David Lammy met in Laos, Vice Premier He Lifeng and Chancellor Rachel Reeves talked over the phone, and so did our energy ministers. Our two militaries have just conducted their consultations on defence strategies.

Going forward, we should work together to follow up on the understanding between our leaders and build a stable and mutually beneficial relationship.

The development of China-UK relations needs the support of people across different sectors from both countries.

We never forget the “Icebreakers” who opened the doors for trade between China and the UK in the 1950s.

We never forget that generation of statesmen from both countries who made the strategic decision to establish diplomatic relations 52 years ago.

And we never forget all those who have worked tirelessly to help connect our two peoples over the past seven decades.

All of them continue to give inspiration to us today.

I call on all of you to continue to support and take an active part in China-UK relations and make new contributions to the steady development of this relationship.

China, Iran, Pakistan and Russia advocate for an independent, united and peaceful Afghanistan

On the invitation of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the third quadrilateral Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the People’s Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and the Russian Federation, on Afghanistan was held on September 27, 2024, on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. 

In a joint statement issued following their discussions, the four neighbours of Afghanistan reiterated their support for the country’s national sovereignty, political independence, unity, and territorial integrity. They asserted that all members of the international community have a shared interest in a stable and peaceful Afghanistan, “a country that should serve as a platform for international cooperation rather than geopolitical competition.”

The ministers expressed deep concern over the security situation related to terrorism in Afghanistan, noting that terrorist groups such as ISIL, Al-Qaida, the Eastern Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Jaish ul-Adl, Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and other similar groups in the region including the Majeed Brigade, as well as others, based in Afghanistan, continue to pose a serious threat to regional and global security. 

They acknowledged the efforts of Afghanistan’s de facto authorities to combat ISIL-Khorasan and called on them to take visible and verifiable actions to fulfill the international obligations and commitments made by Afghanistan to fight terrorism, dismantle, and eliminate all terrorist groups equally and in a non-discriminatory fashion, and prevent the use of Afghan territory against its neighbours, the region, and beyond. (The reference to de facto authorities reflects the fact that no country, including the four represented in this meeting, has yet formally recognised the current regime established by the Taliban.)

In this regard, the ministers emphasised the importance of building an inclusive and broad-based governance system in Afghanistan that reflects the interests and aspirations of all segments of Afghan society. 

They called for practical support to the country and rejected imperialist pressure and bullying, saying that they:

  • Supported effective regional initiatives aimed at uplifting Afghanistan’s economy and emphasised the importance of continued economic engagement with the de facto authorities to alleviate the dire situation of the Afghan people.
  • Expressed willingness to expand economic and trade cooperation and regional connectivity with Afghanistan that will contribute to the active integration of Afghanistan into the regional economic cooperation.
  • Pointed out that NATO members should bear the primary responsibility for the current plight in Afghanistan. They should create opportunities for Afghanistan’s economic recovery and future development and prosperity, immediately lift unilateral sanctions against Afghanistan, and return Afghanistan’s overseas assets for the benefit of the Afghan people.

At the same time, they emphasised the importance of the rights and needs of the entire population of the country including all ethnic and religious groups. They also stressed that women and girls’ access to education, and economic opportunities, including access to work, participation in public life, freedom of movement, justice and basic services, will contribute to peace, stability and prosperity in the country.

They also encouraged the de facto authorities to maintain a friendly and cooperative foreign policy, adhere to international law, comply with international obligations within the bilateral and multilateral treaties that Afghanistan is a party to, and coexist peacefully with neighbouring countries, and the region. 

They further advocated for the establishment of Afghanistan as an independent, united, and peaceful state, free from terrorism, war, and narcotics, living in peace with its neighbours and ensuring respect for basic human rights and freedoms, including for women, children, persons with disabilities, and ethnic and religious minorities. 

We reprint below the full text of the statement issued by China, Iran, Pakistan and Russia. It was originally published on the website of the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Upon the invitation of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the third quadrilateral  Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the People’s Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and the Russian Federation, on Afghanistan was held on 27 September  2024 on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. 

During the meeting, the Ministers discussed the situation in Afghanistan and agreed on the following points:

1- The Ministers reiterated their support for Afghanistan’s national sovereignty, political independence, unity, and territorial integrity. They reaffirmed principles of international law, particularly non-interference in its internal affairs, and the right of the Afghan people to independently decide the future of their country in accordance with the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter.

2- The Ministers stressed that all members of the international community have a shared interest in a stable and peaceful Afghanistan, a country that should serve as a platform for international cooperation rather than geopolitical competition. 

3- The Ministers expressed deep concern over the security situation related to terrorism in Afghanistan, noting that terrorist groups such as ISIL, Al-Qaida, the Eastern Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Jaish ul-Adl, Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and other similar groups in the region including Majeed Brigade, as well as others, based in Afghanistan, continue to pose a serious threat to regional and global security. 

4- The Ministers called on strengthening counter-terrorism cooperation at both bilateral and multilateral levels. Afghanistan should be supported in taking comprehensive measures to address both the symptoms and root causes of terrorism and to eradicate terrorism at an early date.

5- The Ministers acknowledged the efforts of Afghanistan’s de facto authorities to combat ISIL-Khorasan. They called on de facto authorities to take visible and verifiable actions in fulfilling the international obligations and commitments made by Afghanistan to fight terrorism, dismantle, and eliminate all terrorist groups equally and non-discriminatory and prevent the use of Afghan territory against its neighbors, the region, and beyond. 

6- The Ministers condemned the recent terrorist attacks in all shapes and forms in Afghanistan and the region, including the attacks by ISIL-K on Karbala pilgrims on 13 September  2024 and the attacks by TTP in Bannu and Besham in Pakistan on 15 July and 26 March 2024, respectively. 

7- The Ministers expressed deep concern over the terrorism-related security situation in Afghanistan and the region and stressed the concept of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security, as well as principles of equal indivisible security, examine regional security issues from a more comprehensive and integrated perspective, and work together to address various security challenges in Afghanistan and the region. 

8- The Ministers emphasized the importance of building an inclusive and broad-based governance system in Afghanistan that reflects the interests and aspirations of all segments of Afghan society. 

9- The Ministers commended the de facto authorities’ efforts to reduce the cultivation of traditional opium. They called for comprehensive measures to combat narcotics, particularly in light of the significant rise in the production of synthetic drugs, including methamphetamine jointly fighting against and dismantling transnational organized criminal groups involved in the trafficking of opiates, and cutting off trade and transit corridors of narcotics within and beyond the region and stressed the importance of the international assistance to promote agricultural development and alternative crops on the way to building a society free of drug abuse.

10 -The Ministers urged de facto authorities to create conditions that facilitate the return of Afghan refugees to their homeland, prevent further migration, and take serious measures to ensure returnees’ livelihoods and reintegration into political and social processes to achieve a lasting solution. 

11- The Ministers expressed appreciation for the regional countries, especially the Islamic Republic of Iran and Pakistan, for hosting millions of Afghan refugees. They urged the international community and donors to provide, adequate, predictable, regular, and sustainable financial support and other necessary assistance, in line with the principle of international responsibility and burden sharing, for time-bound and well-resourced repatriation of refugees back to Afghanistan, as well as to countries hosting Afghan refugees, particularly the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. 

12- The Ministers reaffirmed the importance of countering attempts to politicize the provision of humanitarian assistance needed by the people of Afghanistan and called on the international community to continue providing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and help the country strengthen its capacity for sustainable and self-reliant development. 

13- The Ministers supported effective regional initiatives aimed at uplifting Afghanistan’s economy and emphasized the importance of continued economic engagement with de facto authorities to alleviate the dire situation of the Afghan people.

14- The Ministers expressed willingness to expand economic and trade cooperation and regional connectivity with Afghanistan that will contribute to the active integration of Afghanistan into the regional economic cooperation.

15- The Ministers emphasized the importance of the rights and needs of the entire population of the country including all ethnic and religious groups.  They also stressed that women and girls’ access to education, and economic opportunities, including access to work, participation in public life, freedom of movement, justice and basic services, will contribute to peace, stability and prosperity in the country.

16-The Ministers pointed out that NATO members should bear the primary responsibility for the current plight in Afghanistan. They should create opportunities for Afghanistan’s economic recovery and future development and prosperity, immediately lift unilateral sanctions against Afghanistan, and return Afghanistan’s overseas assets for the benefit of the Afghan people.

17 -The Ministers encouraged de facto authorities to maintain a friendly and cooperative foreign policy, adhere to international law, comply with international obligations within the bilateral and multilateral treaties that Afghanistan is a party to, and coexist peacefully with neighboring countries, and the region. 

18 -The Ministers emphasized that strengthening peace and stability in Afghanistan and countering the threats of terrorism, radicalism, and drug crime emanating from its territory are in line with our common interests in the region. They advocated for the establishment of Afghanistan as an independent, united, and peaceful state, free from terrorism, war, and narcotics, living in peace with its neighbors and ensuring respect for basic human rights and freedoms, including for women, children, persons with disabilities, and ethnic and religious minorities. 

19- The Ministers supported all diplomatic efforts that are conducive to the political settlement of the Afghan issue and supported the international community, especially the United Nations. They emphasized the significant role of regional frameworks such as the Moscow Format, the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting of Afghanistan’s Neighboring Countries, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, to play a positive role in achieving a political solution.