State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi Talks About China’s Eight Diplomatic Priorities in 2022

On December 30,2021,State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi introduced China’s diplomatic priorities in 2022 in an interview to Xinhua News Agency and China Media Group.

In 2022,we in the diplomatic service will rally more closely around the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core,and we will fulfill our duty to the Party,help resolve our country’s concerns and dedicate ourselves to the well-being of the people.We will focus on eight priorities:

First,we will make every effort to create a favorable external environment for the CPC’s 20National Congress.The 20CPC National Congress is the biggest priority and the most important political event for the Party and the country in the coming year.We will firmly guard against and address all sorts of external risks and challenges and actively tell the stories of the CPC and the Chinese people,so as to foster a secure and stable external environment for the success of the 20CPC National Congress.This will be the main focus of our diplomatic work throughout 2022.

Second,we will make solid efforts for the success of the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022.Beijing is heading into the Olympic cycle.We will uphold the Olympic spirit,foster a positive,amicable and harmonious international atmosphere for the Games,and present a streamlined,safe and splendid Olympic Games to the world.

Third,we will actively shape the course of reform of the global governance system.In the next year,Asian countries will host a series of multilateral events.China will take over as the chair of BRICS and host the BRICS summit.The APEC economic leaders’ meeting and the summits of G20 and SCO will also be held in Asian countries.“Asia’s time” will come in global governance.We will take an active part,suggest ideas for the way forward,continue to hold high the banner of true multilateralism,and contribute more Chinese wisdom and Asian energy to the reform and improvement of the global governance system.

Fourth,we will take proactive steps to tackle the many challenges in the post-COVID era.We will fully implement the Global Vaccine Cooperation Action Initiative,actively carry out cooperation on COVID drug research and development,uphold international solidarity,and foster international synergy to enhance preparedness against future pandemics.We will also strengthen communication and coordination with other countries and the United Nations,enhance support for realizing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,and promote comprehensive implementation of the Global Development Initiative.

Fifth,we will deepen and expand global partnerships.Next year,China will celebrate important anniversaries of its diplomatic relations with a number of countries.We will take them as the opportunity to consolidate traditional friendship and expand cooperation bilaterally,strive to maintain overall steady and balanced growth of China’s relations with other major countries,continue to advance interconnected development with neighboring countries,and offer full support for all developing countries in sharing the benefits of development.

Sixth,we will continue to resolutely safeguard China’s core interests.We will faithfully fulfill our duties and responsibilities,and fully live up to the expectations of the Party and the people.We will resolutely and forcefully fight off any attempt to undermine China’s sovereignty,security and development interests.And we will firmly and effectively fight back against any move to undermine the Chinese people’s legitimate rights and interests.

Seventh,we will actively serve China’s opening-up and development.We will promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation,and safeguard the stable and smooth functioning of global industrial and supply chains.We will take an active part in global climate governance,and lend a stronger impetus to China’s domestic endeavor promoting green and low-carbon transition and development.We will implement well the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and work to advance China’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.We will facilitate free trade arrangements with the Gulf Cooperation Council as soon as possible,speed up China-Japan-ROK free trade negotiations,and explore ways to promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation with Europe,Africa,Latin America and the Caribbean.In so doing,we will contribute to the national effort of boosting domestic and international economic circulations and fostering a new development paradigm.

Eighth,we will serve the people wholeheartedly through diplomatic work.We will deepen the reform of consular services,improve the working mechanisms and systems for consular protection,step up legislation concerning consular protection,and accelerate the development of smart consular services and digital consular services.We will speed up efforts to build a system for the protection of Chinese nationals and interests overseas,and take concrete actions to protect the safety and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese nationals and institutions overseas.

The year 2022 is the Year of the Tiger in the Chinese lunar calendar.We in China’s diplomatic service will maintain a global vision,forge ahead in confident strides and take concrete actions.We will work in solidarity and collaboration with the international community to bring dynamism to world peace and development with “the vitality of the tiger”,and promote greater progress and “a tiger’s leap” in human development.