Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) shakes hands with his British counterpart Boris Johnson during their meeting at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 19, 2017. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)
As the most senior Chinese official taking part in the ongoing annual general debate of the UN General Assembly, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had another busy day on Tuesday, meeting several counterparts and expounding on China's position on major issues such as climate change.
In a meeting with his British counterpart Boris Johnson, Wang said the two countries should continue to maintain high-level contacts and deepen cooperation in order to enhance the current "golden era" of bilateral relations.
Wang also called on Britain to work together with China to safeguard the multilateral trade system with the World Trade Organization at its core.
They should send out positive signals of building an open global economy and opposing protectionism, Wang said.
Noting that Britain and China hold common or similar views on a series of important international issues, Johnson said the two countries share a similar stance in promoting free trade and maintaining market access.
Britain attaches great importance to its relations with China and is willing to enhance high-level contacts and strengthen cooperation in various fields, said the British foreign secretary.
Wang also met French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, during which the two sides pledged to step up bilateral cooperation on global hot-spot issues and climate change, among others.
Wang said China appreciates France's participation in the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing in May, and hopes that France can make even greater contributions to the Belt and Road Initiative.
China is willing to work with France in the fight against climate change and in implementing the Paris Agreement, said Wang, who also called on countries to adhere to the Paris accord at a meeting with high-level officials on climate change.
Le Drian said France is ready to promote major projects between the two countries.
France appreciates China's contributions to the Paris Agreement and is willing to work with China to push the international community to do more to combat climate change, Le Drian said.
France and China, both permanent members of the UN Security Council, should strengthen multilateral cooperation and promote the leading role of the Security Council in settling international hot spot issues, he said.
The two ministers also exchanged views over the situation on the Korean Peninsula.
The Chinese foreign minister also met with his Indonesian counterpart, Retno Marsudi, and exchanged views on bilateral relations and the situation in Rakhine State of Myanmar.
Wang said that the recent violent incidents in Rakhine State in Myanmar are unacceptable and that the Myanmar government's efforts to maintain social stability is understandable. The historical issue of the Rohingya is complex and sensitive, said Wang.
Efforts must be made to protect innocent people from harm, prevent the humanitarian crisis from spreading, and encourage Myanmar and Bangladesh to seek a fundamental resolution via dialogue and consultation, he said.
China is willing to work with the international community to continue to play a constructive role, said Wang.
For her part, Retno said Indonesia, as the largest Muslim nation, is deeply concerned about the situation in Rakhine and is willing to play a positive role in helping Myanmar and Bangladesh avert a deterioration of the situation and find a solution.
Indonesia appreciates China's stance and is wiling to maintain consultation with China, she said.
Other political leaders whom Wang met included Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza, and Ecuadoran Foreign Minister Maria Fernanda Espinoza.
