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Liu Zhen

Shi Jiangtao

Welcome to the South China Morning Post’s coverage of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s annual press conference on Wednesday on the sidelines of the country’s annual plenary meetings.
During the press conference in Beijing that began in the morning, Wang spoke on a wide range of issues including Sino-US relations, the situation in the Korean Peninsula, the long-standing South China Sea dispute and the Middle East peace process.
Read on to see the highlights of Wang’s comments as they flowed in. And thanks to all who tuned in for our live updates, which has now wrapped up.
1pm
Asked at the close of his press conference whether President Xi Jinping would visit the United States this year, Wang replied: “There will be good news this year.”

12.20pm
Wang said China welcomed the imminent visit of King Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud of Saudi Arabia and wanted to play a “necessary role” in the Middle East peace process.
Fighting terrorism, pursuing political resolutions and keeping the United Nations at the driver’s seat were three indispensable principles that must be held on to as the Middle East situation reached a critical crossroad, he said.
Why King Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud upcoming visit to China is important to Beijing ... and a worry for Washington
“There are both risks to worse turbulence but also hopes for peace,” Wang said.
The foreign minister said the Iran nuclear deal was an example of political resolution to disputes that should be well implemented, and that Beijing would like to mediate for the resumption of peace talks between Palestine and Israel.
China to deepen military engagement in troubled Middle East to protect growing interests
Wang also said China hoped Saudi Arabia and Iran could solve their problems through equal and friendly consultations.
“As a common friend to both sides, China is willing to play a necessary role if needed,” he said.

12.10pm
Wang, noting that this year marked the 45th anniversary of the normalisation of Sino-Japanese ties, called on Tokyo to learn from the lessons of its history of military expansionism and cast aside its concerns over China’s rise.
Blaming Japan for the prolonged tensions between the two countries, the Chinese foreign minister insisted that Beijing had always wanted to bring bilateral ties back on track.
Beijing condemns Seoul and Tokyo over deal to swap defence intelligence
“The key is for Japan to adopt the right kind of mindset to accept the reality of China’s rise,” he said.
Wang also blamed Seoul and Tokyo for the postponement of the trilateral summit meeting between China, South Korea and Japan.
“I am afraid we need to handle well the issues that are hampering the healthy development of our relations to pave the way for such a leadership meeting,” he said.

11.50am
Wang praised Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte for helping to deescalate tensions over the South China Sea dispute.
The turnaround in relations between China and the Philippines would benefit both nations and the entire region, he said.
Noting that the newly-appointed Commerce Minister Zhong Shan was on a trip to the Philippines, Wang said Beijing had stepped up investment in the Southeast Asian nation over various dam, rail and bridge projects.
South China Sea dispute ‘not on agenda’ Duterte says after arriving in Beijing
The warming ties between the two states since Duterte’s Beijing trip late last year had helped “scatter the dark clouds” hanging over Beijing’s relations with the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), he said.
Relations between Beijing and its Southeast Asian neighbours have been markedly strained over the maritime disputes.
Wang said Beijing and Asean would continue to expand cooperation along the Mekong River region, known as Lancang in China.

11.35am
On Brexit, Wang said China would continue to support European integration even after Britain left the European Union.
Beijing would like to see a more united, stable and prosperous EU, he said.
Amid Brexit and Trump uncertainties, China strikes note of caution in economic plan for 2017
“We believe the challenges confronting the EU could be an opportunity for the Union to become more mature,” Wang said. “We value the strategic importance and role of Europe.”

11.30am
Wang said the situation on the South China Sea had calmed “visibly” since the international court ruling on the long-standing maritime dispute in July.
He said Beijing and its neighbours of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) had made headway in their talks over a long-overdue code of conduct. The draft framework had been completed recently, he added.
Future of South China Sea disputes depends on Washington, says China’s legislature spokeswoman
The Chinese foreign minister also warned against Washington’s repeated freedom of navigation operations amid concerns over US President Donald Trump’s recent announcement of a significant increase in the US defence budget.
“If someone is still trying to make waves [in the South China Sea], they will have no support and will meet oppositions from all parties,” Wang said, without naming the US.
Beijing would not allow disruption of the peace and stability in the South China Sea, he added.

11.20am
Wang warned South Korea to “cease on the brink of the precipice” and stop the deployment of the US anti-missile system THAAD.
He made the warning after it was reported on Tuesday that some equipment for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) system had been delivered from the US to South Korea.
China vows ‘resolute’ measures as US deploys first parts of THAAD missile system to South Korea
Wang said the THAAD monitoring and early warning radars reached far beyond the Korean Peninsula and “undermines China’s strategic security”.
“It may very well make [South Korea] less secure,” Wang said. “We strongly advice the ROK (Republic of Korea) not to pursue this course of action. Otherwise they will only end up hurting themselves and others.”

11am
Wang blamed both North Korea’s pursuit of its missile and nuclear programme and the US-led alliance’s military drills for the escalation of tensions in the Korean Peninsula.
He called on both sides to show restraint to avoid a full-fledged crisis.
The Korean Peninsula situation was “like two accelerating trains coming towards each other with neither side willing to give way”.
North Korea’s reliance on China to grow as ties with Southeast Asian nations unravel
North Korea’s recent missile tests “ignored opposition from international community” and the joint military exercises by the United States and South Korea had significantly added pressure on Pyongyang, he said.
Wang said Pyongyang should suspend its missile and nuclear activities while the US and South Korea must halt their large-scale drills.
“Nuclear weapons will not bring security. The use of force will bring no solution,” he said, adding that the tensions could be eased by “addressing the parties’ concerns in a reciprocal manner”.
He also reiterated Beijing’s calls to start talks between North Korea, the US and other relevant parties.

10.50am
On Sino-US relations, Wang said a meeting between President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Donald Trump was being arranged.
The two sides were in communication over arrangements for the meeting, he said.
“We are having fruitful communication in realising exchanges between our two presidents as well as on all other levels,” Wang told the press conference in Beijing.
He said last month’s phone call between the two heads of state had paved the way for stable ties.
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to push for Beijing to get tough on North Korea in landmark summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping
Wang urged both nations to overcome their difference and the “zero sum” mindset and look towards building a “mature” relationship.
“Our interests are closely interwined ... It is impossible to build one’s success at the expense of the other,” he said.
Wang praised new US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, whom he met at the G20 foreign minister’s meeting last month, as a good “listener and communicator”.
He said he hoped and believed he and Tillerson could build a good working relationship.


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China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets the press on the sidelines of the annual “two sessions” plenary meetings in Beijing on Wednesday. Photo: Simon Song

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends a meeting at the United Nations European headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, January 18, 2017. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

FILE PHOTO - A Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptor is launched during a successful intercept test, in this undated handout photo provided by the U.S. Department of Defense, Missile Defense Agency. U.S. Department of Defense, Missile Defense Agency/Handout via Reuters/File Photo ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. EDITORIAL USE ONLY.

South Korea's President Park Geun-hye, second from left, Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, third from left, China's Prime Minister Li Keqiang, second from right, link arms with ASEAN leaders Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, right, Laos' Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, third from right, and Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, left, in the ongoing 28th and 29th ASEAN Summits at the National Convention Center Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, in Vientiane, Laos. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

A South Korean protester wears a black mask reading "No THAAD" during a rally against the planned deployment of the US-built Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-ballistic missile system, outside the Defence Ministry in Seoul on February 28, 2017. Residents living near a South Korean golf course on February 28 sued to stop it becoming the site of a controversial US missile system loathed by Beijing, their lawyers said as Chinese media poured scorn on the plan. / AFP PHOTO / JUNG Yeon-Je

epa05813404 An image made available on 25 February 2017 shows Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte gesturing as he speaks during a turn-over ceremony of drug rehabilitation facility in Davao city, southern Philippines, 24 February 2017. According to news reports, a leading critic of President Rodrigo Duterte has been arrested on drug trafficking charges. Senator Leila de Lima is accused of receiving money from detained drug lords, but it is alleged that the charges is an attempt to silence her criticism of Duterte's war against drugs. EPA/CERILO EBRANO

An European Union flag blows in the wind in front of the Elizabeth Tower, better known as "Big Ben", near the Houses of Parliament during a "Flag Mob" demonstration in Parliament Square in central London on February 20, 2017, part of a national day of action in support of migrants in the UK. Under the banner 'One Day Without Us' men, women and children come together for a day of action to stress that they want Britain to remain open and welcoming. A number of businesses closed for the day to make the point that the Britain couldn't manage for even one day without the contribution of migrants. / AFP PHOTO / Justin TALLIS

(FILES) This file photo taken on May 5, 2016 shows crew members of China's South Sea Fleet taking part in a drill in the Xisha Islands, or the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea. China warned Washington January 24, 2017 that it would not back down over its claims in the disputed South China Sea, following vows by the Trump administration to defend US and international interests there. / AFP PHOTO / STR / China OUT

epa05824187 Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud (R) waves as he is accompanied by Indonesian President Joko Widodo (L) during a visit at Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia, 02 March 2017. The King is on a historic visit to Indonesia, the first visit by a Saudi head of state in 47 years. EPA/MAST IRHAM

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At his annual press conference, Wang Yi says a Xi-Trump meeting is in the works, blames US and Seoul over tensions in the Korean Peninsula and praises Philippines’ Duterte for defusing South China Sea dispute


China's Two Sessions 2017: Diplomacy