Decoupling doomed to fail, says FM

Wang: Largest potential market to provide more development space for other nations

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday spoke out against decoupling between China and the United States, saying that it goes against market economy principles and would ultimately harm those that propose it.

Wang made the remark when meeting the media with Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto after their meeting at Beihai, in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.

Decoupling is neither workable nor reasonable, Wang said, adding that it is doomed to fail as it disregards one's own development needs and also harms the public interest.

Wang noted that China is the world's largest potential market and will provide greater development space as well as market opportunities for other countries as it further stimulates and rejuvenates domestic demand.

Any attempt to decouple with China means decoupling with the world's largest market in the future, he said.

Wang also said that as supporters of globalization and a multilateral trade system, China and Europe should not allow calls for decoupling to disrupt the normal operation of global industrial and supply chains.

The two sides also should not allow normal international economic exchanges to be sabotaged by unilateral hegemonic acts, he added.

On Tuesday, Wang will kick off his five-European nation trip, which is aimed at further boosting international solidarity to fight the COVID-19 epidemic and restart the world economy.

The eight-day visit, Wang's first overseas trip since the pandemic situation eased, will take him to Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, France and Germany.

"Wang's trip is warmly welcomed by relevant countries and shows the attention that China and Europe attach to their relationship," Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said at a regular news briefing in Beijing on Monday.

During Wang's visit, Zhao said, China expects to advance major political and economic agendas, deepen cooperation in fighting the virus and keeping global industrial and supply chains stable, and further discuss cooperation in emerging sectors such as the digital economy and the green economy.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Europe have offered each other support and assistance in the spirit of pulling together to get through hard times.

President Xi Jinping maintained regular communications with leaders of the European Union and European countries through videoconferences, telephone conversations and correspondence.

"As this year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the EU, the two sides' joint efforts in promoting China-Europe and international anti-epidemic cooperation have enriched the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two sides," Zhao said.