Chinese FM reiterates China's stance on Red Sea tensions

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed deep concern and reiterated China's position on the rising tensions in the Red Sea in a recent written interview with Al Jazeera Media Network.

In response to a question regarding the rising tensions in the Red Sea, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that the Red Sea has vital international shipping lanes for goods and energy going through it. Safeguarding its peace and stability helps keep global supply chains unobstructed and ensures the international trade order. That serves the interests of the region and the wider international community.

For quite some time, rising tensions in the Red Sea have affected important interests of regional countries, especially the littoral states, and also heightened the overall security risk of the region and weighed on the global economic recovery, Wang said, adding that China is deeply concerned about the situation.

Wang said China's position on the Red Sea is quite clear, which can be summed up in four points:

First, attacks and harassment on civilian vessels in the Red Sea should stop. There is no excuse at all for attacks on civilians.

Second, the international community should work together in accordance with law to ensure safe passage in the Red Sea. All parties are expected to play a constructive role toward deescalation.

Third, the root cause of the rising tensions in the Red Sea is the Gaza conflict. There should be an early ceasefire in Gaza so as to stem spillovers at source.

Fourth, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Yemen and other Red Sea countries should be upheld in earnest.

Since the flare-up of the tensions, China has stayed in touch with all parties and strove vigorously for deescalation, Wang said.

China takes seriously the legitimate concerns of countries in the region, especially the littoral states of the Red Sea. China stands ready to coordinate more closely with regional countries and work together with the international community to continue with our constructive role in restoring peace and stability in the Red Sea at an early date, he added.

Wang pointed out that the ongoing escort mission by the Chinese navy is not related to the Red Sea situation. It is carried out in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia as authorized by the U.N. Security Council.

Since 2008, the Chinese navy has deployed 45 task groups in that region with a total of over 150 vessel sorties to deter pirates and conduct humanitarian operations. They have been a key part in safeguarding security in those waters, Wang said.

China will continue to act on the Global Security Initiative to protect the safety of international shipping lanes and to promote tirelessly a community with a shared future for mankind, he said.

Chinese FM reiterates China's stance on Red Sea tensions

China's remarkable economic development has not only transformed the country itself but also profoundly impacted the global economy, opening vast potential for investment cooperation between China and France, as well as between China and the European Union, according to Pascal Lamy, former director-general of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Over 80 percent of French respondents to a new poll believe China is a great and influential country, and 70.3 percent regard China as a successful country, according to a survey of 1,513 French respondents conducted by China Media Group, China Global Television Network (CGTN) and Renmin University of China ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to France.

The French respondents to the survey praised the achievements of China's high-quality economic development and high-level opening up.

Speaking during an interview with CGTN on Monday, Lamy expressed his admiration for China's economic success.

"We French believe that China is a big success. This is what the numbers say, looking at what happened, overall, 50 or 60 years. I'm not surprised if the French believe that China is a very influential country, believing otherwise would be blind to the reality. China is one of the major economic powers in the world of today; and whether the Chinese economy is doing well or less well, matters a lot for the rest of the world. It was not the case 60 years ago. It is the case now, given how important China has become," said Lamy.

Lamy then noted the potential for further collaboration, highlighting the opportunities for French and European investments in China and vice versa.

"Now, we believe, there is room for China opening up more. There is more room for French and European investments in China. And there is more room for Chinese investments in France and in Europe. No doubt about that, especially in areas where Europe has a competitive edge in China, and where China has a competitive edge in Europe and in France, and notably in the area of green tech," he said.

Former WTO chief praises China's transformative economic impact on global development