China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said that Beijing and Washington can achieve “many great things” if they work together, ahead of next month’s inauguration of president-elect Donald Trump, AFP reports.
Wang also used his speech to paint a darker picture of an increasingly conflict-ridden world. “In the face of global turbulence and conflict, China will firmly remain a force for peace,” he added.
Wang highlighted Beijing’s diplomatic work over the past year, noting its mediation in July of a “national unity” deal between Palestinian factions including Hamas and Fatah to rule Gaza together after the offensive there ends.
On Syria, where rebels led by Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham ousted longtime rule Bashar al-Assad this month, Wang said China would “continue to stand with the Syrian people (and) uphold the principles of Syrian leadership and ownership”.
“(We) oppose terrorist forces taking advantage of the situation to create chaos, and support Syria in safeguarding its sovereignty and restoring stability,” he added.