Wang Yi Briefs Munich Security Conference, China Will Soon Release a Ukraine Negotiations Document

Feb. 18, 2023, 2022 (EIRNS)—By and large, the Munich Security Conference (Feb. 17-19) this year, which for the first time in its history refused to invite any Russian officials, could be characterized as mass hysteria, except for the clear voice of Chinese State Councillor Wang Yi, now Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC.

Wang Yi made the important announcement that China would set out its position on resolving the Ukraine crisis through political settlement in a document to be released shortly, and will release a Global Security Initiative Concept Paper to propose more feasible initiatives to address today’s security dilemmas. He also reported that President Xi Jinping will give a “peace speech” on the eve of the anniversary of the Russian military operation in Ukraine.

In his speech, Wang Yi made clear that China from the beginning of the Russian military operation one year ago was intent on bringing about a peaceful resolution of the crisis, and it has not wavered from that commitment. China has “neither stood by idly nor thrown fuel on the fire” he said. “Standing at a critical juncture of history, human society must not repeat the path of antagonism, division and confrontation, and must not fall into the trap of zero-sum game, war and conflict,” he said in his speech, targeting the very basis of the Anglo-American policy.

Wang Yi appealed particularly to the Europeans to reverse the course of events urging them to join hands with China and to build a safer world together. “I suggest that everybody starts to think calmly, especially friends in Europe, about what kind of efforts we can make to stop this war,” said Wang. He also pointed out there were “some forces that seemingly don’t want negotiations to succeed, or for the war to end soon.” He reiterated President Xi Jinping’s proposed Global Security Initiative.

In response to a question, Wang referred to the U.S. handling of the balloon incident as “unimaginable” and “hysterical.” Tensions between the world’s two largest economies flared after the White House ordered an F-22 fighter jet to shoot down an off-course Chinese balloon, treating it as a suspected surveillance balloon, off the coast of South Carolina. Wang said the balloon was a strayed civilian airship, and said the U.S. act is “absurd,” which violated international norms. “There are so many balloons all over the world, so is the U.S. going to shoot all of them down?” Wang asked, ridiculing the U.S. position. He urged Washington to show its sincerity and correct its mistakes, face up to and resolve this incident, which has damaged Sino-U.S. relations. He remarked that the U.S. had fanned the flames over the incident in order to divert attention from the major crisis within the United States, without mentioning the Hersh exposé of the U.S. detonation of Nord Stream.

Responding to a question on China’s intention with regard to Taiwan, Wang Yi affirmed that Taiwan is a part of China and not an independent country, which is recognized by the world, and that any moves toward Taiwan independence would be an unacceptable breach of that principle.