Lunar New Year Message from H.E. Wang Yi, State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China

3 February 2021

Your Excellencies ambassadors, Members of the diplomatic corps, Representatives of international organizations, Friends,

In just a few days, we are going to celebrate the Chinese Spring Festival, a time for ushering in the lunar new year and exchanging greetings with families and friends. Each year, the Chinese Foreign Ministry invites ambassadors and other diplomatic envoys to gather together ahead of the festival to mark the auspicious occasion. Due to COVID-19 this year, we have to use video to send our greetings. So on behalf of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, I wish you, your families, and your colleagues a very happy Chinese New Year.

The year 2020 was very unusual for the Chinese people and the world. We appreciate the preciousness of life in combating the virus. We feel the warmth of cooperation in going against chilly economic headwinds. The whole world is in this together, and the entire humanity is bonded by the same future.

Over the past year, we in the Chinese foreign service remained committed to the vision for a community with a shared future for mankind. Guided by the head-of-state diplomatic endeavors, we focused on promoting international cooperation against COVID-19, fought both the coronavirus and the “political virus”, firmly safeguarded China’s sovereignty, security and development interests. We worked with people of all countries to meet challenges, pursue development, and promote changes. We have made new contributions to peace and development of the world.

Over the past year, the Chinese people stood with the world in fighting the pandemic. During the most challenging time of China’s battle against COVID-19, 77 countries and 12 international organizations extended us a helping hand, leaving behind many touching stories that give true meaning to the word “community”. When the virus hit other parts of the world, China cooperated closely with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the international community, and launched the largest global emergency humanitarian campaign in its history. We provided assistance to over 150 countries and 13 international organizations to help bring the world together in defeating the virus.

Over the past year, through innovative “cloud diplomacy”, President Xi Jinping had 88 phone calls and meetings with foreign leaders and heads of international organizations, and attended 23 major video conferences. This not only brought China and the world closer together, but also enriched China’s relations with many countries.

Over the past year, China endeavored to be a source of growth and confidence for the global economy. We further deepened structural reform and expanded institutional opening-up. We promoted economic globalization and regional economic integration. We signed the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement, concluded the negotiations for the China-EU investment agreement, and pursued high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

Over the past year, China took concrete steps to uphold multilateralism. We continued to support the leading role of the United Nations (UN) and WHO, and champion the building of a global community of health for all. We announced the enhanced nationally determined contributions, including the target years to peak carbon dioxide emission and achieve carbon neutrality. We also proposed the Global Initiative on Data Security to address the common concerns of the world.

Over the past year, you, members of the diplomatic corps in China, stayed on your post, fought the virus, and endured the difficulties with the Chinese people. You worked tirelessly to promote your countries’ friendship and cooperation with China. For all your hard work and all the progress made against all odds, I extend to you my sincere appreciation.

Friends,

The year 2021 is very important for China. We will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Communist Party of China, implement the 14th Five-Year Plan in all respects, and embark on a new journey toward fully building a modern socialist country.

The year 2021 is also crucial for the world. At the recent World Economic Forum Virtual Event of the Davos Agenda, President Xi Jinping pointed out that the four major tasks of our times are to promote world economic growth, abandon ideological prejudice, close the North-South divide, and tackle global challenges. And the solution is to uphold multilateralism and build a community with a shared future for mankind. His important propositions have been well received in the international community. They have pointed out the direction for addressing global challenges and promoting human progress.

In the new year, we in the diplomatic service of China will continue to follow the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, meet the challenges head on and step up to our responsibilities. We will deepen friendship and cooperation and expand converging interests with countries around the world, and make our best efforts to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

We will stand in solidarity with countries across the globe to secure an early victory against COVID-19. The world won’t be safe until the virus is defeated in each and every country. China will continue to do its best to assist countries in need. We will deliver on our commitment of making vaccines a global public good, help achieve vaccine accessibility and affordability in developing countries, and steadily cement the strong line of defense against the virus globally.

We will work with other countries to boost global economic recovery and development. We will open more “fast tracks” and “green lanes”, accelerate the development of the green Silk Road, health Silk Road and digital Silk Road, keep the global industrial and supply chains stable and smooth, and scale up support for other developing countries. We will foster a new development paradigm in China, and through this, provide a more robust driving force for global economic recovery.

We will step up exchanges with other countries to safeguard international peace and stability. We will further elevate the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era, enhance political mutual trust and practical cooperation with the EU, and promote a community with a shared future in the Asia-Pacific. We will step up the building of China-Africa, China-Arab and China-Latin America and Caribbean communities with a shared future to enhance solidarity and friendship with fellow developing countries.

The China-U.S. relationship is the most important bilateral relationship in the world. It stands now at an important juncture. In the interest of both peoples and the world as a whole and in the spirit of no conflict, no confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation, we are ready to restart dialogue and consultations, manage properly the differences, focus on mutually beneficial cooperation, and bring the bilateral relationship back on the track of sound and steady development.

We will collaborate with other countries to promote fairer and more equitable global governance. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the restoration of China’s lawful seat at the UN. This year is also the 20th anniversary of China’s accession to the World Trade Organization. A review of the past sheds light on the future. With greater resolve, China will advocate and promote multilateralism. With greater enthusiasm, China will participate in building a more effective multilateral mechanism led by the UN, and contribute to a fairer and more equitable global governance system.

We will stand together with other countries, rain or shine, to take good care of our Mother Earth. For humanity, the Earth is our one and only home. This year, China will host the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity. This year will also see a number of import international events on climate change and environmental protection. These are good opportunities for countries to make the Earth a better home, where humanity can live in harmony with nature and embrace sustainable development.

Friends,

The Lunar Year of the Ox is just around the corner. Oxen are known for their diligence and strength in both Eastern and Western cultures. The Year of the Ox will be a year of hard work and harvest. In this new year, let’s work together for closer friendship and cooperation between China and the world, and for greater peace and prosperity of the world.