–State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s Exclusive Year-end Interview with People’s Daily

——国务委员兼外交部长王毅回顾2019年外交工作并展望明年工作

Q1. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of New China. What is your view of the international situation and China’s diplomacy in 2019?

一、2019年是新中国成立70周年，您如何看待这一年的国际形势和外交工作？

Wang Yi: The year 2019 is significant in the course of China’s development. The CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as its core led the whole Party and people across the country to solemnly celebrate the 70th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China. A more united, stable and prosperous China is proudly embarking on a new journey toward brighter development prospects. Standing in stark contrast to the effective governance of China is the disorder in many parts of the world. In 2019, quite a number of countries have seen political and social turmoil. Instability and uncertainty are on the rise in the international situation. A tug of war between unilateralism and multilateralism is unfolding across the world, and it will determine the future and destiny of humanity.

2019年，是中国发展进程中具有重要意义的一年。以习近平同志为核心的党中央带领全党和全国人民隆重庆祝中华人民共和国成立70周年，一个更加团结、稳定和繁荣的中国正在昂首踏上新的时代征程，展现出更加光明的发展前景。同时，与“中国之治”形成强烈反差的，是“世界之乱”。一年来，不少国家发生政治和社会动荡，国际形势中的不稳定和不确定因素日益增多，单边主义与多边主义的较量正在全球范围展开，将决定今后人类的前途命运。

In 2019, China, weathering rain and storm, has forged ahead on the diplomatic front. Under the wise leadership of General Secretary Xi Jinping and the CPC Central Committee, we have pressed ahead, overcome challenges and achieved new, important advances.

2019年，是中国外交不畏风雨，坚定前行的一年。在习近平总书记和党中央的正确领导下，我们继续开拓进取，攻坚克难，又取得了一系列新的重要进展。

In the face of external interference and provocation, we have stood firm, resisted them head on and never backed down. We have effectively defended our country’s sovereignty, security and development rights and interests, and resolutely upheld the dignity of the country, nation and people.

面对外部干涉和挑衅，我们挺起脊梁，针锋相对，寸步不让，有力捍卫了我国的主权、安全和发展权益，坚定维护了国家、民族和人民的尊严。

In the face of volatility in the international situation, we have stayed committed to multilateralism and championed equity and justice. We have steadily developed relations with other major countries, and vigorously advanced mutually beneficial cooperation with neighboring and developing countries. We have spearheaded global governance and actively mediated various regional issues.

面对动荡不安的国际形势，我们高举多边主义旗帜，秉持公平正义原则，稳定运筹同主要大国关系，大力推进与周边及发展中国家互利合作，继续引领全球治理进程，积极斡旋地区热点问题。

In the face of the sluggish world economy, we have continued to adhere to the principle of mutually beneficial cooperation, and successfully held the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. At the second China International Import Expo, which attracted more participants than the first one, we announced new, major measures of opening-up. In this way, we have made new contributions to building an open world economy.

面对持续低迷的全球经济，我们秉持互利共赢原则，成功举办第二届“一带一路”国际合作高峰论坛，第二届中国国际进口博览会盛况空前，宣布新的对外开放重大举措，为构建开放型世界经济做出了新的贡献。

On the complex international stage, China has become a true pillar of world peace and stability and a key engine for global development and prosperity.

在纷繁复杂的国际舞台上，中国已经当之无愧成为维护世界和平稳定的中流砥柱，成为促进全球发展繁荣的主要力量。

Q2. This year has seen close exchanges between Chinese and Russian leaders. What is your comment on the current China-Russia relations?

二、今年，中俄领导人继续保持密切交往。您如何评价当前中俄关系？

Wang Yi: This year marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Russia. The relationship has broken new ground in a number of areas:

今年是中俄建交70周年。中俄关系又创造了一系列新的历史。

First, there has been a new characterization of our bilateral relations. President Xi Jinping and President Vladimir Putin, with their vision and political resolve, have upgraded the China-Russia relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era. This elevation has brought political trust between the two sides to an unprecedented level.

首先是两国关系有了新定位。习近平主席和普京总统以高瞻远瞩的政治魄力，决定将中俄关系提升为新时代全面战略协作伙伴关系，双方的政治互信百尺竿头更进一步，达到前所未有的高度。

Second, practical cooperation has made new breakthroughs. Smooth progress has been made in creating synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and the Eurasian Economic Union. Steady advances have been made in major bilateral projects in energy, aviation, space and connectivity. The east-route natural gas pipeline has gone into operation. Bilateral trade has exceeded the mark of US$100 billion.

二是务实合作实现新突破。“一带一路”建设和欧亚经济联盟顺利对接，能源、航空、航天、互联互通等领域的重大项目稳步推进，东线天然气管道投产通气，两国双边贸易额突破1000亿美元大关。

Third, friendly exchanges have made new progress. The China-Russia year of sub-national cooperation and exchanges has been brought to a successful conclusion. The number of friendship states/provinces and cities has reached 146 pairs. The Chinese language has been included in Russia’s unified state exam. Friendship between our peoples has been further strengthened.

三是友好交流取得新进展。中俄地方合作交流年圆满收官，友好省州和城市增至146对，汉语被纳入俄罗斯高考科目，两国人民的友好感情日益深厚。

Fourth, strategic coordination has reached a new level. China and Russia have shown firm mutual support on issues concerning each other’s core interests, and worked together to resist attempts by external forces to keep us down. The two sides signed a joint statement on strengthening global strategic stability. We have enhanced back-to-back coordination in international affairs, and stood shoulder to shoulder in opposing power politics and bullying practices.

四是战略协作迈上新台阶。双方在涉及彼此核心利益的问题上坚定支持对方，联手抵制外部势力对中俄的遏制打压。双方签署加强全球战略稳定的联合声明，背靠背加强国际事务中的协调配合，肩并肩反对强权政治和霸凌行径。

In the world today, the China-Russia relationship is the closest, strongest, most mature and most stable one between two major countries. It sets a high standard and a prime example for harmonious co-existence and win-win cooperation between countries. The China-Russia relationship has not reached its full potential; we can do still better. There is no limit to our cooperation; we must always strive to expand it. I am confident that under the guidance of our Presidents, China-Russia relations will continue to make history and scale new heights. They will bring more benefits to our two countries and peoples and play a vital role in international peace and stability.

环顾当今世界，中俄组合堪称最紧密、最牢固、最成熟、最稳定的一组大国关系，为国与国之间和睦相处、合作共赢树立起标杆和典范。对中俄关系来说，没有最好，只有更好。对中俄合作而言，没有休止符，只有进行曲。相信在两国元首共同引领下，中俄关系一定会续写新的历史，攀上新的高峰，不仅为两国和两国人民带来更多福祉，也为维护世界和平与稳定发挥关键性作用。