China always places neighboring countries in a priority position on its diplomatic agenda, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Sunday.
Wang briefed the media on China's neighborhood diplomacy at a press conference on the sidelines of the ongoing fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing.
"Neighbors help neighbors and building an amicable neighborhood is part of Chinese tradition and culture. China always places the neighboring region in a priority position of its diplomatic agenda. President Xi Jinping has put forth the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness for China's neighborhood diplomacy in the new era. Last year, the CPC Central Committee held the first conference on work related to neighboring countries, further setting the goal of building a community with a shared future with neighboring countries. This shows that our understanding of and commitment to the neighboring region are deepening, and this is also welcomed and supported by the neighboring countries including Pakistan," said Wang.
"The world is entering a period of turbulence, but Asia has managed to maintain overall stability and rapid growth, contributing over 60 percent of global growth in the past year. This is no easy feat, but a result of the collective efforts of China and the neighboring countries. Surely, there are often political changes within countries in the region, and complex, sensitive issues left from history still exist between countries. But the underlying character of good-neighborliness and friendship remains unchanged, and the prevailing trend of win-win cooperation remains unchanged," he said.
China's consistent policy on neighborhood is a key factor safeguarding peace and stability, Wang said, adding that China will continue to play a role as an anchor of regional security, an engine for development and prosperity, and a champion of the shared values of Asian countries.
"A key factor underpinning peace and stability in the region is China's steadfast commitment to the policy on fostering an amicable, secure and prosperous neighborhood, to the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness, to the vision of shared future for humanity, and to open regionalism and true multilateralism. Imagine this: Should China act like some traditional powers bent on carving out spheres of influence, provoking camp-based rivalry and even adopting a beggar-thy-neighbor approach, would Asia still be as stable as it is today? Would the international community still be able to benefit from the development opportunities of Asia? Facts show that China is always an anchor for regional security, an engine for development and prosperity, and a champion of the shared values of Asian countries. We are happy and proud to play this role, and we stand ready to step up such efforts in the future," said Wang.
China always places neighboring countries in priority position of diplomatic agenda: FM
The National People's Congress (NPC) Financial and Economic Affairs Committee held a plenary meeting on Sunday to review the draft outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) for national economic and social development, as well as the reports and drafts on budgets and economic and social development plans at the ongoing fourth session of the 14th NPC in Beijing.
The meeting passed three reports on the committee's review results and submitted them to the presidium of the fourth session of the 14th NPC.
The committee agreed that the goals and tasks outlined in the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) were successfully completed. The draft outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan submitted by the State Council is in line with the goals and requirements set forth in the Recommendations of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development. Its major policy orientations align with the Party's basic theory, basic line and basic policy. Its main objectives, key tasks and major projects are in line with China's national conditions and stage of development, conform to the law of economic and social development, and are consistent with the country's medium- and long-term development strategic goals. Overall, it is feasible.
The committee suggested the fourth session of the 14th NPC approve the draft outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan.
The committee agreed that the implementation of the 2025 plan for national economic and social development was generally good. The 2026 plan proposed by the State Council is in line with the guiding principles from the 20th National Congress of the CPC and the plenary sessions of the 20th CPC Central Committee, conforms to the guidelines of Central Economic Work Conference and aligns with the goals of the outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan. Its main objectives, key tasks, and major projects are in accordance with the status quo of economic and social development in China. The 2026 plan is therefore feasible on the whole.
The committee suggested the fourth session of the 14th NPC approve the Report on the Implementation of the Plan for National Economic and Social Development in 2025 and the Draft Plan for National Economic and Social Development in 2026, and approve the draft plan for national economic and social development in 2026.
The committee also agreed that the execution of budgets for 2025 was good in general. The reports and drafts on central and local budgets for 2026, proposed by the State Council, conform to the guiding principles from the CPC’s 20th National Congress and the plenary sessions of the 20th CPC Central Committee, align with the guidelines of Central Economic Work Conference, and are compatible with the expected targets for annual economic and social development and the overall requirements for macro-control. Main revenue and expenditure policies are basically coordinated and matched. A careful analysis has been conducted on existing difficulties and challenges, and corresponding arrangements have been made to ensure the work is carried out effectively, which complies with the provisions of the Budget Law. Therefore, the draft budgets for 2026 are feasible.
The committee suggested the fourth session of the 14th NPC approve the Report on the Implementation of the Central and Local Budgets in 2025 and the Draft Central and Local Budgets in 2026, approve the draft central budget for 2026, and also approve the general debt ceiling and special debt ceiling for local governments for 2026.
NPC committee reviews draft outline of 15th Five-Year Plan, reports, drafts on budgets, economic, social development plans
