China, Armenia pledge closer partnership

China and Armenia pledged to strengthen partnership and dialogue as Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan in Beijing on Thursday.

Wang reiterated China's foreign policy as characterized by forging partnerships rather than alliances and engaging in dialogue instead of confrontation, pledging to work with Armenia to practice genuine multilateralism.

In an era of globalization, Wang said the Global South is rising collectively, adding that bloc confrontation is outdated and the international landscape is moving toward multipolarity.

China has been committed to promoting the democratization of international relations and opposing the return to "law of the jungle", he said.

China is ready to work with all countries, including Armenia, to jointly uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order based on international law, the foreign minister said.

Wang noted that China will, as always, support Armenia in safeguarding its national sovereignty and independence, and in pursuing a development path that enjoys the support of its people and suits its national conditions.

China is willing to work with Armenia to consolidate mutual trust, deepen cooperation to boost the development of both countries and deliver more benefits to the two peoples, Wang said.

Mirzoyan reaffirmed Armenia's commitment to upholding the one-China principle, and supporting China in safeguarding its core interests.

Armenia is willing to work with China to deepen interconnectivity and promote cooperation across various fields such as trade, as well as enhancing friendly people-to-people exchanges and mutual understanding, he said.

The country would like to establish a more stable, friendly and strategic partnership with China, he added.

The two ministers also exchanged views on deepening cooperation under the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the conflict between Israel and Iran.