重锤！王毅霸气回击贸易保护主义：必将自食苦果|Wang Yi warns against protectionist moves

The Chinese Foreign Minister has warned that any protectionist moves by other nations will mean shutting the door into China.

Wang Yi, who is also a State Councilor, made the remarks on Friday at the sixth business summit of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Economic Cooperation in Hanoi, capital of Vietnam, during his official visit. 

His speech came amid a plan by the United States to impose tariffs on some Chinese goods.

Despite his comments about protectionism abroad, Wang made it clear, however, that China is willing to share its development opportunities with other countries. 

Opening up should work 'both ways'

He noted that this year marks the 40th anniversary of China's landmark reform and opening up, adding that the country gained its achievements through this policy over the past 40 years and will continue to aim for higher quality development through the same strategy.

Reform and opening up is China's set policy and it will not be changed or be affected by any external factors, Wang said.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks at the sixth business summit of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Economic Cooperation in Hanoi, Vietnam, March 30, 2018. /MOFA Photo‍

He added that it is in line with the interests of the Chinese people and will also benefit other countries.

It needs to be pointed out that opening should work both ways, Wang emphasized, adding that China opens itself to other countries and hopes others will be open to China.

Frictions and disputes in international trade are nothing surprising. What's important is to work for win-win solutions through equal consultation in line with laws and rules, said the Chinese state councilor.

Those who choose unilateralism or protectionism, an approach against the trend of history, will find themselves going nowhere and see their own interests undermined, Wang said.

Taking protectionist measures equals to shutting the door into China, which will harm their own interests, he said, adding that both time and facts will prove it.

GMS countries are Belt and Road 'partners'

Mekong River countries can become major partners in the joint development of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, Wang said in response to a question concerning opportunities brought to the GMS countries by the initiative.

The Belt and Road Initiative is not only a public good China has offered to the world, but also a sunshine initiative aimed at promoting win-win cooperation, Wang said, adding that from the very beginning, it has followed the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits.

Therefore, Belt and Road cooperation bears the striking characteristics of equality, openness and inclusiveness, he noted.

Five GMS countries – Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam have all signed cooperation agreements with China on the joint development of the Belt and Road Initiative, and they also attended the first Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation which was held last May in Beijing, Wang said.

At present, he said such major projects as China-Laos railway, China-Thailand railway and China-Myanmar land and water coordinated transport are also making progress, he said.

The GMS countries, he said, are the earliest participants of the Belt and Road Initiative and also they are the earliest beneficiaries of the initiative.

According to Wang, China has been preparing for the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. With concerted efforts, the Belt and Road Initiative is bound to be able to become the largest and the most popular platform for international cooperation in the world, he said.

China to pursue common development with GMS countries

"As a member of the GMS, China sees its own development and future closely linked with those of the other sub-regional countries," the minister said.

China's development has entered a new era and will continue to provide strong impetus and more opportunities to the development of countries in the GMS, he said.

"China's economic development will be more stable, coordinated and sustainable, and shift to high-quality development at a faster pace."

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Neighboring countries have also been the first to benefit from China's development, and China will keep the policy of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness to pursue partnership and friendship with the other GMS countries, Wang noted.

"China opens up to all parts of the world, but first of all, to our neighbors. You will be the first to hear the steps of China's opening and share its dividends," he added.

In a spirit of partnership, China is ready to deepen mutual political trust and practical cooperation with other GMS countries to advance regional development and the people's well-being, he said.

Wang also mentioned boosting ties with Cambodia and Thailand when meeting Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen and Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on the sidelines of the summit.

Wang told Hun Sen that China will always support Cambodia for choosing its own development path that meets the national conditions and support Cambodia in safeguarding sovereignty and national interests.

To Prayut, Wang said the new Chinese government will continue to put Thailand as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy and inherit the excellent tradition of "Jeen Thai Phee Nong Gan," adding that China is willing to maintain high-level exchanges with Thailand, boost the construction of the China-Thailand high-speed railway, enhance the cooperation in the tourism sector and explore the possibility of trilateral cooperation in the development of the Thai Eastern Economic Corridor.