[Photo/Xinhua]

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi answers questions about the country's foreign policy and external relations at a press conference on Sunday during the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress, China's top legislature.

The press conference, which begins at 3 pm, is virtual at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, in line with COVID-19 containment measures.

Here are some highlights:

On the COVID-19 pandemic

China will continue working with other countries in unremitting efforts to completely defeat the COVID-19 pandemic, Wang Yi said.

China has carried out its largest emergency humanitarian action since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, making contributions to the anti-coronavirus efforts of the world, Wang Yi said.

On China-Russia relations

China and Russia standing together will remain a pillar of world peace and stability, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Sunday.

In the face of the once-in-a-century pandemic, China and Russia have stood shoulder to shoulder and worked closely to combat "both the coronavirus and the political virus," Wang said.

China and Russia should be each other's strategic support, development opportunity, and global partner. This is both an experience gained from history and an imperative under the current circumstances, Wang said. (Read more)

On the Belt and Road Initiative

China will jointly push ahead high-quality construction of the Belt and Road and make contributions to the early recovery of the world economy, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said.

On CPC leadership

The leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) is the biggest political advantage of China's diplomacy and the fundamental safeguard for continued victory in China's diplomacy, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said. (Read more)

On China-Africa relations

Helping African countries contain the COVID-19 pandemic and bring their economies back on track is the top priority of the China-Africa cooperation, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said.

China will always support developing countries, Wang Yi said.

China has started to provide COVID-19 vaccines to 35 African countries and the African Union Commission, Wang Yi said. (Read more)

On 'patriots administering Hong Kong'

Improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and implementing the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" is constitutional, legitimate, just and reasonable, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said.

On China-US relations

China is ready to work with the United States to return bilateral relations to the right track of healthy and steady growth, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Sunday.

It is not surprising that there is competition between China and the United States as their interests are intertwined, but the two sides should have healthy competition on the basis of fairness and equity, Wang said.

The one-China principle is a "red line" that must not be crossed in China-US relations, Wang Yi said, adding that the Chinese government will never compromise on the Taiwan question.

China stresses UN's core status

China supports upholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, the UN's central status in international system, and the basic rule of equal consultation in the UN reform, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Sunday. (Read more)

China, EU not systemic rivals

The China-Europe relationship is equal and open, and not targeting any third party or controlled by anyone else, Wang Yi said on Sunday.

China never intends to divide relations between Europe and the United States, Wang said, adding that the country is glad to see the European Union uphold multilateralism and remain devoted to coordination and cooperation among major countries. (Read more)

China opposes 'vaccine nationalism'

China opposes "vaccine nationalism," rejects any "vaccine divide" or any attempt to politicize vaccine cooperation, Wang said.

More than 60 countries have authorized the use of Chinese vaccines.

China has provided and is providing COVID-19 vaccine aid free of charge to 69 developing countries in urgent need, while exporting vaccines to 43 countries.

On China-Arab relations

China will work with Arab states in solidarity, pursue common progress and make good preparations for a China-Arab States Summit, Wang Yi said on Sunday.

In the past year, relations between China and the Arab States have continued to make progress amid various challenges, Wang said, adding their joint fight against the COVID-19 pandemic has set a good example for international cooperation.

On multilateralism

Building small circles in the name of multilateralism is in fact "group politics," multilateralism with one's own interests taking precedence is still unilateral thinking, and "selective multilateralism" is not the right choice.

China's WTO accession

China has achieved win-win results with the rest of the world over the past 20 years since its accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), Wang said.

On China-Japan relations

China and Japan should remain focused without being distracted by any single event to make the bilateral relations more mature and stable.

China and Japan should support each other in hosting the upcoming Olympic Games this year and next year.

China hopes the Japanese society would truly embrace an objective and rational perception of China, so as to solidify public support for long-term progress in China-Japan relations.

'Xinjiang genocide' claim a thorough lie

The claim that there is genocide in Xinjiang could not be more preposterous, Wang Yi said Sunday.

It is just a rumor fabricated with ulterior motives and a thorough lie, he said.

The Uygur population in China's Xinjiang has doubled from 5.55 million to over 12 million in the past over 40 years.

The gross domestic product (GDP) in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has surged by more than 200 times over the past 60-plus years.

On China-ASEAN relations

China is willing to work with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to build an even closer community with a shared future and open up another 30 years of even greater cooperation.

China and ASEAN countries need to remove distractions and press ahead with consultations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, and work toward the early conclusion of a set of regional rules that are more substantive and effective, consistent with international law and serve the needs of all parties.

On new development stage

China in the new development stage is like an express train with greater driving force and load capacity. China welcomes all countries to get on board and move toward a future of shared prosperity.

On China-India relations

China and India need to help each other succeed instead of undercutting each other, and they should strengthen cooperation instead of harboring suspicion at each other.

On climate change

China welcomes US return to the Paris Agreement and expects that the United States will should its responsibility and make its due contribution.

On Iran nuclear deal

China urged the United States to demonstrate good faith and return to the Iran nuclear deal at an early date.

On Myanmar tensions

China stands ready to play a constructive role in easing the tensions in Myanmar, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Sunday.

The immediate priority for Myanmar is to prevent further bloodshed and conflict, and ease and cool down the situation as soon as possible.