Highlights of foreign minister's press conference

Zhang Yunbi, a China Daily reporter, asks a question at the press conference called by Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing, March 8, 2018. [Photo/people.com.cn]

Xi's diplomatic efforts have paid rich dividends

Diplomacy driven by head of state has deepened the international community's understanding of China and enhanced China's international status and influence, as well as facilitated solutions to many global problems, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said.

He said that President Xi Jinping works as the chief architect of China's diplomacy and is involved in planning and conducting head of state diplomacy.

Xi has visited 57 countries around the world and has received more than 110 foreign heads of states, he said, adding that Xi's leadership and charisma has earned himself and China many friends in a diverse range of culture background and social system.

"We believe that his personal diplomacy will make positive and responsible contribution for the welfare of people , the interests of China and the wellbeing of world, and write a new chapter for major country's diplomacy," he said.

US, DPRK should hold direct talks soon

Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on the United States and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to engage in direct talks soon.

The recent easing of tensions on the peninsula after Pyongyang and Seoul engaged in a series of interaction over the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics is welcomed, Wang said, adding that China fully supports the efforts by the DPRK and the Republic of Korea to improve ties.

The fact that during the Winter Games, the DPRK did not conduct any nuclear test, and the US and the ROK suspended their joint exercises prove China's proposal of a suspension-for-suspension was the right prescription for the problem, and created basic conditions for the improvement of inter-Korean relations, the foreign minister said.

China to host four major events this year

Foreign Minister Wang Yi introduced four major events China will host in 2018. The first is the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference, which will take place in Hainan in April, and focus on reform and opening-up.

The second is the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit, which will take place in Qingdao in June. 

The third event is the Forum on China-African Cooperation Summit, which will take place in Beijing in September, and focus on the Belt and Road Initiative. 

The final one is the 1st China International Import Expo, which will take place in Shanghai, and focus on the further market opening. 

Liu Shanshan, Liu Hui, Xu He and Wang Jingwen contributed to the story.