China has constantly made new progress in building a community with a shared future with its neighboring countries, Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu said at a press conference in Beijing on Friday.
At the press conference on the commemorations on the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, Ma emphasized that China has always placed its neighbors at the top of its diplomatic agenda, and remains committed to promoting regional peace, stability, development, and prosperity.
"The construction of a community with a shared future among neighboring countries is continuously making new progress and stepping up new heights. China has announced to join efforts with many of its neighboring countries to build a community with a shared future, advanced the development of a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future, and achieved full coverage of building a community with a shared future with countries on the Indochina Peninsula and in Central Asia at both bilateral and multilateral levels," said Ma.
Ma pointed out that President Xi Jinping has visited nearly every neighboring country, and all his first overseas visits after the 18th, 19th, and 20th National Congresses of the Communist Party of China were paid to the neighboring nations, which has led China's relations with its neighbors into the best period in modern history.
"China has signed the Belt and Road cooperation agreements with 25 neighboring countries and has become the largest trading partner of 18 of them. China and ASEAN have been each other's largest trading partners for five consecutive years. Negotiations on the Version 3.0 China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA) have been fully completed, and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is being implemented in high quality. Economic cooperation industrial parks, cross-border e-commerce hubs, and smart agriculture networks have been established in neighboring countries, generating substantial job opportunities for locals," said Ma.
He said that cooperation is both respectful and tangibly beneficial, which has become a broad consensus among neighboring countries.
"China advocates an Asian security model featuring security for all, agreeing to differ, and dialog and consultation. China has actively contributed Chinese wisdom and strength to promoting the political settlement of regional hotspot issues like those on the Korean Peninsula and in Afghanistan," said Ma.
China has taken measures to facilitate personnel exchanges, with the issuance of the "Lancang-Mekong Visa" to qualified people in countries along the Lancang-Mekong river - Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, and the "ASEAN Visa" for the 10 ASEAN countries and ASEAN observer Timor-Leste, while carrying out mutual visa exemptions with several Southeast Asian countries. Exchanges between China and its neighboring countries in culture, tourism, youth, local governance, media, and think tanks continue to expand, said Ma.
China steadily advances shared future with neighboring countries: vice FM
The European Union（EU）and France have reaffirmed their support for Denmark's sovereignty over Greenland as concerns are growing over security in the Arctic following the recent statements made by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the strategically important island.
Speaking at a press conference in Brussels on Wednesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that "Greenland belongs to its people, so it's up to Denmark and Greenland, and only to them, to decide on matters that are concerning Denmark and Greenland."
Noting that the EU is in contact with the Danish government, Von der Leyen stressed that security in the Arctic region is a key issue of concern to the EU.
Also on Wednesday, the European Parliament's political group leaders issued a statement, condemning the remarks made by the Trump administration regarding Greenland and terming them as a "blatant" challenge to international law and to the sovereignty of NATO member Denmark.
They urged the EU institutions to define "concrete and tangible" support for Denmark and Greenland, and stressed that decisions concerning Greenland belong to Denmark and Greenland alone.
"External attempts to alter the status quo are unacceptable," the leaders said.
In a related development, a group of 23 lawmakers sent a letter to European Parliament President Roberta Metsola on Wednesday, emphasizing that if the United States continues to threaten Denmark's autonomous territory, the European Parliament should suspend debates and votes on trade agreements with the United States.
Currently, the European Parliament is deliberating on removing most U.S. import tariffs and maintaining zero-tariff policies on U.S. lobster, with a vote scheduled for January 26 and 27.
Meanwhile, French government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon, citing President Emmanuel Macron, warned on Wednesday that any infringement on Danish sovereignty over Greenland would trigger "unprecedented" consequences.
"If the sovereignty of a European ally were affected, the cascading consequences would be unprecedented," said Bregeon.
"we are closely monitoring the situation and will stand firmly with Denmark to defend its sovereignty," the spokeswoman said.
On the same day, French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu noted the need for serious consideration of recent U.S. signals concerning Greenland.
Lecornu reaffirmed France's "full solidarity with Denmark and the legitimate authorities of Greenland," adding that safeguarding the sovereignty of other countries is an important foundation for safeguarding one's own sovereignty.
Furthermore, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot announced on Wednesday that France will open a consulate in Greenland on February 6, calling the move a "political signal" over the strategic Danish territory.
The foreign minister said that the U.S. plan of buying Greenland is "absurd" and that this "blackmail" should stop.
He reiterated that France and Europe will continue to support Denmark.
Greenland, the world's largest island, is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, while Denmark retains authority over defense and foreign policy. The United States maintains a military base on the island.
Since his first term, Trump has repeatedly expressed a desire to acquire Greenland. Both Greenland and Denmark have made clear that the island is not for sale. The White House said last week that Trump will not rule out the use of force.
EU, France reaffirm support for Denmark's sovereignty over Greenland
