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Wang Yi Delivers a Video Speech to the Symposium on Global Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance 2022
2022-11-03 22:00

On November 3, 2022, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi delivered a video speech at the opening ceremony of the Symposium on Global Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance 2022.

Wang Yi said, General Secretary Xi Jinping stressed in his report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China that China has always been committed to its foreign policy goals, i.e. upholding world peace and promoting common development, and is dedicated to promoting a community with a shared future for mankind. This is China's solemn pledge to the world. Embarking on a new journey, China will bring more opportunities to the development of all countries and make even greater contributions to the progress of humanity.

Wang Yi stressed, China stands ready to work with all countries to act in the spirit of building a maritime community with a shared future advocated by President Xi Jinping, coordinate maritime development and security, and advance maritime cooperation and ocean governance. Wang Yi put forward three suggestions in this regard:

First, jointly safeguard maritime security. Maritime disputes should be properly handled through peaceful means. It is important to resolve disputes over territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests through dialogue and consultation, and avoid taking unilateral moves that might complicate the situation. Maritime challenges should be responded with a spirit of solidarity. All must transcend zero-sum mentality, and jointly safeguard freedom and security of navigation. Maritime hegemony should be rejected with an unequivocal attitude. It is important to jointly reject the acts that jeopardize peace and tranquility at sea, such as putting together exclusive small circles and doubling down on provocative close-range maneuvers.

Second, jointly promote maritime development. We need to enhance maritime connectivity and ensure unimpeded marine transportation and industrial chains. We need to pursue high-quality cooperation in building the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and actively develop the Partnership for Blue Economy. We need to apply the new development philosophy and seize the opportunity of advancing the Global Development Initiative to ensure sustainable development of the ocean, balance the development and protection of the ocean, and make joint development a success. We need to vigorously pursue practical cooperation on areas such as ecological conservation, and disaster prevention and relief, and collectively tackle global challenges such as climate change and rising sea levels.

Third, jointly discuss ocean governance. We need to uphold true multilateralism. Efforts should be made to improve the governance system centered around the United Nations. We need to safeguard the maritime order underpinned by international law. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea should be interpreted and applied accurately, comprehensively and in its entirety. It is important to stay committed to friendly consultation with a spirit of mutual accommodation, and work together to safeguard the global maritime order. We need to advance regional maritime governance in the regional context. We need to take the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea as an opportunity to accelerate consultations on a code of conduct in the South China Sea, establish rules on interactions at sea that serve the common interests of all parties, and truly build the South China Sea into a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation.

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The Symposium was co-hosted by the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, China-Southeast Asia Research Center on the South China Sea and China Oceanic Development Foundation. Political dignitaries, officials, experts, scholars, and diplomatic envoys from 20 plus countries as well as over 500 representatives from domestic and foreign media were present virtually or in person. 


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