In a wide-ranging press conference on March 8 on the sidelines of the annual Two Sessions of the National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi responded to questions from the Chinese and international press covering the meetings. U.S.-China relations and the war in Iran were key issues that were broached more than once.
On the war on Iran, he said, “The war should have never happened and does no one any good. Force will only breed new hatreds and conflicts.” He noted that the entire world was concerned about the issue, and stressed that China has maintained an objective and impartial position—to bring about a ceasefire and end hostilities.
He called for measures to be taken to avoid the spiraling and widening of the conflict, noting that might does not make right and willful use of force does not prove strength. The principles for resolving the conflict should include: 1) preserving state sovereignty; 2) the rejection of the use of force, “now it is the law of the jungle”; 3) Non-interference in the internal affairs of other nations; 4) a political settlement of all issues; 5) major countries must play a positive role underlying principles of justice and righteousness.
He said that China would work with the countries of the European Union to bring peace to the region.
