Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met the press Friday morning on the sidelines of the second session of the 13th National People's Congress.

Wang is expected to brief journalists from home and abroad on China's foreign policy and answer questions on a wide range of issues.

Here are the highlights:

Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy an epoch-making milestone in China's diplomatic theory

The establishment of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy as the fundamental guideline for China's diplomatic work is an epoch-making milestone in the diplomatic theory of New China, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Friday.

Xi to attend opening ceremony of 2nd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation

Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the opening ceremony of the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in late April and deliver a keynote speech, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Friday.

China encourages continued DPRK-U.S. dialogue

China encourages continued dialogue between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the United States on the Korean Peninsula issue, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Friday.

China, U.S. stand to gain from cooperation, lose from confrontation

China and the United States stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Friday.

China hopes Europe's China policy "independent, consistent, foreward-leaning"

China believes Europe will keep its fundamental long-term interests in mind and pursue a China policy that is independent, consistent and forward-leaning, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Friday on the sidelines of the country's annual legislative session.

China-Russia cooperation makes world more peaceful, stable: FM

When China and Russia stand together, the world will be a safer and more peaceful and stable place, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Friday.

B&R Initiative is not "debt trap" but "economic pie": FM

The Belt and Road Initiative is not a "debt trap" that some countries may fall into but an "economic pie" that benefits local population, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Friday.

China backs company, individual not be 'silent lambs': FM

China supports relevant company and individual in seeking legal redress to protect their interests and refusing to be "silent lambs", Chinese state councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Friday.

He made the remarks when answering a question regarding the case of Huawei, during a press conference on the sidelines of the country's annual legislative session.

Decoupling from China means decoupling from opportunities, the future

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Friday that decoupling from China means decoupling from opportunities and the future.

China-Africa cooperation grows into towering tree: FM

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Friday that China-Africa cooperation has grown into a towering tree that no force can topple.

Latin American countries' rights to develop relations with China must be respected

The rights of Latin American countries to develop normal relations with China must be respected, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Friday.

China upholds UN-centered int'l system: FM

China sees multilateralism as a cornerstone of the international system and will resolutely uphold a United Nations-centered international system, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Friday.

China will carry the banner of building a community with a shared future for humanity, continue to stand on the right side of history and on the side of the common interests of a majority of countries, Wang said at a press conference on the sidelines of the country's annual legislative session.

No 'vacuum' in Afghanistan needs to be filled: Chinese FM

There is no "vacuum" in Afghanistan that needs to be filled because that land belongs to the people of Afghanistan, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Friday.

China calls on the international community to give firm support for the "Afghan-led, Afghan-owned" reconciliation process, and play a constructive role from the sidelines to build a momentum for dialogue, Wang said at a press conference on the sidelines of the country's annual legislative session.

Regional countries must grasp key to peace, stability in South China Sea in own hands: FM

Regional countries must grasp the key to peace and stability in the South China Sea in their own hands, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Friday.

China calls on Pakistan, India to settle disagreement with goodwill

China hopes Pakistan and India will replace confrontation with dialogue, settle disagreement with goodwill and create a better future with cooperation, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here Friday.

When responding to a question about the recent tension between Pakistan and India, Wang said that China welcomes the willingness expressed by the two countries in recent days to de-escalate the situation and start talks.

"China has stressed from the beginning the need to exercise calm and restraint and prevent escalation," Wang said at a press conference on the sidelines of the second session of the 13th National People's Congress.

China, India should be each other's partner, opportunity: FM

China and India should be each other's partner in pursuing their respective dreams and each other's important opportunity for growing respective economies, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Friday.

The two countries should collectively make due contribution to Asia's revitalization and prosperity, Wang said at a press conference on the sidelines of the country's annual legislative session.

China to become stronger, not assertive: FM

China will surely become stronger, but will not become assertive, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Friday.

Improving China-Japan relations meets common interests of two peoples: FM

China-Japan relations have got back on track and show a positive momentum toward improved and stronger ties, which fully meets the common interests of the two peoples, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Friday.

China, DPRK to jointly build ties for new era: FM

China will work with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to build a relationship for the new area, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Friday.

China stresses continued dialogue on Korean Peninsula issue

So long as parties continue dialogue and stay the course, the goal of denuclearization on the Korean peninsula will become a reality, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Friday.

The summit in Hanoi, Vietnam between the leaders of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the United States is an important step toward a political settlement of the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, Wang made the remarks at a press conference on the sidelines of the annual session of the National People's Congress.

That both sides could overcome obstacles to meet again for a candid face-to-face discussion represents a positive development that must be applauded. The international community should encourage both sides to have patience and keep moving toward the goal of denuclearization and establishing a peace mechanism on the Peninsula, Wang said.

(Source: Xinhua News Agency)