Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on the sidelines of the 77th UN General Assembly in New York, the United States, Sept 22, 2022. Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said when he met NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on the sidelines of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly that China is willing to jointly promote the sound and steady development of bilateral relations.
Wang said that China is open to dialogue and exchanges with NATO as a permanent member of the UN Security Council.
READ MORE: Chinese envoy urges NATO not to fanblock confrontation.
He said that the two sides should enhance communication and mutual understanding on the basis of frankness and mutual respect, and prevent misunderstanding and false information.
Stoltenberg said that China plays an important role in global issues with its growing economy and influence.
He said that NATO does not regard China as a rival and that the organization attaches importance to maintaining and strengthening engagements with China and has a positive attitude towards developing relations with China.
Stoltenberg said NATO will remain committed to its original geographical location when it is established, and that it is expected to explore cooperation with China in arms control, climate change, and other fields in order to cope with global challenges.
He said that China expects to play an important role in ending the conflict in Europe, because NATO and its member countries follow one-China policy and remain unchanged in their position on the Taiwan question.
Wang said that he believes that NATO will handle the current international situation objectively and calmly instead of drawing a dividing line based on political correctness. He said that China is a major country with the best record on the issue of peace and security. China has no genes for external expansion, has never invaded other countries, engaged in proxy war, sought spheres of influence, exported ideology, interfered in other countries' internal affairs or participated in military blocs.
Wang said that China has decided to follow a path of peaceful development, which is enshrined in law, and he hopes that NATO will establish a rational and correct understanding of China.
He said that China is willing to cooperate with NATO on global issues and to contribute to peace and stability.
Wang also clarified China's position on the Ukraine issue and its constructive role in promoting peace talks. He said it is necessary to examine the establishment of a balanced, effective and sustainable European security framework in order to ensure long-term stability in Europe.