This week, Beijing’s larger underground stations saw the return of the smartly clad sentinels from the People’s Armed Police, stationed at their platforms for the annual Two Sessions in China. The traditional assembly held at Tiananmen Square’s Grand Hall of the People usually adheres to a certain routine but introduced a few alterations this year.
An unexpected icy, wind-blasted weather disrupted the usual sun-soaked climate that seems almost purposefully designed for the event. A further and notable change within the schedule was the absence of Premier Li Qiang’s concluding press conference; this departure is expected to continue not just this year, but also in the foreseeable future.
Attribution for these changes – given as unnecessary repetition due to ministers’ ample encounters with journalists throughout the week – sparked scepticism. Speculations about the real motive varied from viewing it as Xi Jinping’s latest manoeuvre to debilitate the collective leadership of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), to hypothesising the Premier’s inability to present a solution to the country’s economic quandaries.
Foreign minister Wang Yi’s however, conducted his press conference as per script last Thursday, addressing over 20 questions from domestic and international journalists within an hour and a half. Among the topics broached were Ukraine, Gaza, Taiwan, China’s diplomatic ties with the USA and the EU, and the destiny of the Global South.
Always meticulously orchestrated, these events left no Stone unturned. The choice of a Russian media representative being the first foreign journalist to question was noted observantly.
An announcement of significance came from Wang, declaring that as of March 14th, Irish travellers, along with those from Switzerland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg, can enter China visa-free. Despite Premier Li assuring visa-free admittance for up to a fortnight during his Irish visit in January, it was until now unclear when these allowances would commence.
The first foreign journalist’s chance to inquire was given to one from a Russian news outlet. Wang stated that China and Russia have established a unique model of relations for major powers, straying markedly from the bygone cold war period.
In the modern era, unilateral supremacy is disfavoured, and division is unsustainable. Major international players should avoid conflict and the re-emergence of cold war dynamics. China’s relationship with Russia epitomises the shift towards a multi-polar, democratic world order, benefiting global strategic stability and fostering collaboration among burgeoning powers, as declared by the speaker.
Additionally, the speaker offered a critique of the United States, expressing disappointment over perceived unfulfilled commitments from the Biden-Xi meeting which took place in San Francisco last year. Despite marked advancements in relations since this meeting, and the elimination of close encounters between US and Chinese military vessels off the Chinese coast, the speaker expressed dissatisfaction with American efforts to impede China’s economic and scientific growth through an extension of sanctions.
The speaker questioned American credibility, confidence, and commitment to international justice and economic fairness, questioning its discrepancy between spoken promises and actions. The speaker hypothesised that the U.S. might focus solely on its own prosperity, hindering the legitimate development of other nations and monopolising the high end of the value chain.
The speaker, China’s foreign minister Wang Yi, also alleviated tensions with the European Union, stating that fundamental conflicts or geopolitical contradictions are non-existent, and common benefits surpass disagreements. Since taking over the post following the abrupt exit of Qin Gang, Chinese diplomats have adopted a more charming, conciliatory approach to diplomacy, moving away from the assertive ‘Wolf Warrior’ style that dominated in recent years.
However, unresolved issues persist and the maritime dispute with the Philippines highlighted this, following an incident in which a Chinese coastguard vessel used a water cannon on a Philippine ship in the disputed South China Sea. Nonetheless, even while rebuking the EU for its characterization of China as a partner, competitor, and institutional rival, Wang Yi maintained an overall conciliatory tone.
Envision a vehicle at a junction, simultaneously faced with red, amber, and green signals – how is the car to move forward? This metaphor epitomises the current situation,” he remarked.
“Indeed, no significant disputes or geopolitical contrasts exist between China and the EU. The areas where they align greatly exceed their disparities. The ideal perspective for Sino-EU relationships is to view each other as collaborators, with the mutual growth as the desirable aim. Autonomy and independence should be the cardinal values, and a mutually beneficial development should be the long-term goal.”