Enterprise & Industry

Takeaways from Foreign Minister Wang Yi at China’s ‘two sessions’

Foreign Minister outlines Beijing's vision in 90-minute briefing, striking a positive tone ahead of a potential Trump visit.

Deep Dive

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi used the platform of the annual 'Two Sessions' political meetings to outline Beijing's foreign policy stance to a global audience. In a comprehensive 90-minute media briefing where he fielded 21 questions, Wang sought to project Chinese leadership and stability amidst global turbulence, directly addressing the strategic rivalry with the United States, the expanding crisis in Iran, and regional disputes including those with Japan in the South China Sea.

A central theme was the state of US-China relations. Wang struck a notably positive tone, describing 2026 as a 'big year' for bilateral ties and crediting US President Donald Trump and China's President Xi Jinping with bringing the relationship 'back to an even keel after ups and downs.' This commentary comes just weeks before a potential landmark visit by Trump to China, signaling Beijing's intent to manage the rivalry through high-level diplomacy. The briefing served as a key moment for China to articulate its vision for a multipolar world order while navigating complex international crises.

Key Points
  • Wang Yi described 2026 as a 'big year' for US-China relations ahead of a potential Trump visit.
  • The 90-minute briefing covered 21 questions on global issues from Iran to South China Sea disputes.
  • China aims to project stable leadership and a vision for a multipolar world amid global instability.

Why It Matters

Signals China's diplomatic strategy for managing superpower rivalry and shaping global governance during a period of heightened tension.