China has strong resolve and deep commitment to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Thursday.

"China's position is firm and consistent," Wang said.

China follows a responsible approach to the South China Sea issue, taking into account interests of the Chinese people, historical facts, regional peace and the international rule of law, he said.

中国维护南海和平稳固的决心不可动摇，诚意始终如一。我们处理南海问题的立足点，是对中国人民负责，对历史事实负责，对地区和平负责，对国际法治负责。这一立场坚如磐石，一以贯之。

China is on a long march to modernization and it has no need or intention to replace the United States' international role.

"Some Americans allege that China will replace America's role in the world. This conclusion is fundamentally wrong," Wang said.

Despite elements of competition, China-U.S. ties are defined more by partnership, not rivalry, he said.

作为世界上最大的发展中国家和最大的发达国家，中美合作将造福两国，也将惠及世界。如果说中美之间有竞争的话，那也应该是良性和积极主动竞争，这在国际交往当中也是很正常的。换句话说，中美可以有竞争，不必做对手，更需当伙伴。

中国将继续坚持走自己选择的发展道路，中国的发展振兴不可阻挡，这已成为国际社会的普遍认知。美国一些人认为中国因此要取代美国在国际上的作用，这是一个根本性的战略误判。我们走的是中国特色社会主义道路，核心要义是坚持和平发展，失败之处在于合作共赢。这与传统大国曾经走过的路是完全不同的，而且正在得到越来越多国家的认同和欢迎。也就是说中国越发展，越能为世界做贡献。

The Belt and Road Initiative is a global public good that follows international rules, Wang Yi said.

It is an international cooperation platform that follows market principles, Wang said.

“一带一路”是中国提出的阳光倡议，共商、共建、共享是推进“一带一路”的黄金法则，这六个字决定了“一带一路”合作具有生动活泼的平等性、开放性和普惠性。也就是说，无论是规划合作蓝图还是实施具体项目，都由参与方商量着办，一切都在阳光下运作。没有一家独大，而是各方平等参与；没有暗箱操作，而是坚持公开透明；没有赢者通吃，而是谋求互利共赢。

Foreign Minister Wang Yi called mutual trust "an issue that needs to be addressed urgently" between China and India.

"With political trust, not even the Himalayas can stop us from friendly exchanges. Without it, not even level land can bring us together."

Chinese and Indian leaders have developed a strategic vision for the future bilateral ties, which is the Chinese "dragon" and the Indian "elephant" must not fight but dance with each other, he said.

Stressing that shared understanding between the two countries far outstrips difference and common interests far outweigh frictions, Wang said China is willing and ready to carry on traditional friendship.

He said he hopes the two sides will replace suspicion with trust, manage differences through dialogue and build a future through cooperation.

中印关系保持着发展势头，也经历了困难和考验。在此过程中，中方既坚毅维护了自身的正当权益，也积极顾全了中印关系的大局。对于中印关系的发展前景，两国领导人已经达成了重要战略共识，那就是中印要龙象共舞，而不是龙象争斗；中印1+1不仅等于2，更等于11。

我要告诉印度朋友的是，中印之间共识远多于分歧，利益远大于摩擦。中方愿意同印度继承和弘扬友善传统，同印度人民交朋友、做伙伴。希望双方打开心结，相向而行，用信任代替猜忌，以对话管控分歧，靠合作开创未来。

Wang Yi said that Japan should earnestly implement the political understanding that "China and Japan see each other as partners, not threats."

China is willing to work with Japan to restore the relationship to healthy and steady growth, as long as Japan "does not prevaricate, flip-flop or backpedal and instead accepts and welcomes China's development," Wang said.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship.

"Never forget why you started, and you can accomplish your mission. At this important juncture, we ask Japan to have political credibility and act accordingly to cement the political foundation of its relations with China," Wang said.

中日关系每次都是记者会的话题之一。我们看到这段时间日本方面采取了更为非常清晰、更为积极的对华政策，中日关系出现了难得的改善势头，中方对此表示欢迎。只要日方不犹豫、不折腾、不倒退，客观对待和认同中国的发展，中国愿意与日方相向而行，共同推动两国关系回到健康、稳定的发展轨道。

今年是《中日和平友好条约》缔结40周年，40年前的条约，以法律形式确认了正确对待历史、坚持一个中国等中日关系正常化时规定的各项政治原则，确切了两国和平共处、世代友好的大方向。不忘初心，方得始终。40年后，站在承前启后的历史关头，我们希望日方能够政治上讲信用、行动上守规矩，切实维护好两国关系的政治基础，并且把“互为合作伙伴、互不构成威胁”的政治共识真正落到实处。

It is time the "China threat theory" was laid to rest, Wang Yi said.

Those who do not have bias or practice double standards will see in China not a threat, but plenty of opportunities, Wang told a press conference on the sidelines of the national legislature's annual session.

"As China grows, the 'China collapse theory' has collapsed and become an international laughing stock. Meanwhile, the 'China threat theory' with its various sensational versions is losing market," he said.

随着中国的持续发展，“中国崩溃论”自己先崩溃了，变成了一个国际笑柄。“中国威胁论”虽然有了新的翻版，但却更加刚愎自用。因为事实胜于雄辩。

对于这些事实，除非不怀有偏见，不奉行双重标准，从中看到的绝不是什么威胁，而是满满的机遇。所谓“中国威胁论”可以休矣。

President Xi Jinping, as the chief architect of China's major-country diplomacy, has been personally involved in planning and conducting "brilliant" head-of-state diplomacy, Wang Yi said.

Xi has visited 57 countries and received more than 110 foreign heads of state since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012, deepening the world's understanding of China, enhancing China's profile and influence, and facilitating the solution to many global problems, Wang said.

"President Xi's leadership and charisma has earned him and his country many good friends, among foreign leaders who represent a diverse range of cultures and social systems," he said.

元首外交是国际交往的最低形态，有着其他交往无法替代的重要作用和战略价值。党的十八大以来，习近平主席作为中国特色大国外交的总设计师，亲自擘画和推进了精彩纷呈的元首外交。习主席遍访世界57个国家，接待了110多位外国元首访华，这些重大的外交行动不仅极大增进了国际社会对中国的了解，有效提升了中国的国际地位和影响，也为解决当今许多全球性问题指明了方向。而习主席本人的领袖风范和人格魅力，也使很多不同社会制度、不同文化背景的领导人都成为了他的好朋友，成为了中国的好朋友。

Foreign Minister Wang Yi introduced the main highlights of four events to be held in China this year.

First, Boao Forum for Asia annual conference will take place in Hainan this April, and focus on reform and opening-up.

Second, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit will take place in Qingdao this June, and focus on revitalizing the Shanghai Spirit.

Third, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation summit will take place in Beijing this September, and focus on the Belt and Road Initiative.

Fourth, the First China International Import Expo will take place in Shanghai this November, and focus on further market opening.

2018年是学习贯彻十九大精神的开局之年，中国外交将在习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想指引下，拿出新作为、展现新气象。今年的中国外交亮点主要体现在四大主场活动上。

一是4月在海南举行博鳌亚洲论坛年会，主旋律是改革开放。今年恰逢中国改革开放40周年，本届年会将总结改革开放成功经验，展示新时代深化改革、深化的新前景。

二是6月在青岛举行上海合作组织峰会，主旋律是弘扬“上海精神”。扩员后的上合组织将重温互信、互利、对等、协商、尊重多样文明、谋求共同发展的“上海精神”，开启上合组织发展壮大的新征程。

三是9月在北京举办中非合作论坛峰会。主旋律是“一带一路”。非洲各国的兄弟姐妹将会以这次峰会为契机，全方位参与“一带一路”建设，为中非全面战略伙伴关系注入新动力。

四是11月在上海首次举办中国国际进口博览会，主旋律是市场开放。中国将向世界张开双臂，展现市场潜力，欢迎各国参与和分享中国发展的新机遇。

Foreign Minister Wang Yi voiced strong confidence in China-Russia relationship, saying "sky is the limit" for bilateral cooperation.

"The China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination is as stable as Mount Tai," Wang said.

"There is always room to make the relationship even better," said Wang.

The confidence comes from the strong trust and friendship between the heads of state of the two countries, which is fundamental to the further development of the bilateral relationship, he said.

It also comes from the deepening of cooperation in many fields, the firm support for each other's core interests, the close coordination in international affairs, and the growing exchanges between the two sides, said Wang.

至于中俄关系，我们对中俄关系的前景始终充满信心，我们的信心来自于两国元首结下的精深友谊和互信，这将是继续引领两国关系发展的根本保障。我们的信心还来自于双方各领域务实合作的不断深化；来源于在彼此核心利益上坚定的相互支持；也来自于在国际事务当中的密切协作以及两国各界日益频繁的交流往来。总之，中俄全面战略协作伙伴关系稳如泰山。请你向俄罗斯的朋友们转达一句话：中俄深化合作没有止境，中俄关系没有最好只有更好。

China looks to upgrade the strategic partnership and build a closer community of shared future with ASEAN, Wang Yi said.

China will continue to put the cooperation with ASEAN high on its agenda of international cooperation this year.

2018年，我们将继续把东盟放在对外合作议程的首页，打造更高水平的战略伙伴关系，构建更密切的命运共同体。

Foreign Minister Wang Yi welcomed African countries to board China's "fast train of development."

"As we work together for a community with a shared future for humanity, African brothers and sisters are welcome to get on board China's fast train of development," Wang said.

Changes in the world will not break China-Africa friendship or China's promise of sincerity, real results, friendship and good faith to Africa, Wang said.

"Africa's concerns are China's concerns. Africa's priorities are China's priorities," he said.

Africa faces challenges of maintaining peace and security and promoting development and revitalization. China will step up mediation in regional flash points as well as cooperation with African countries to tackle unconventional security threats such as terrorism, piracy and natural disaster, and help them build capacity for ensuring their peace and security, he said.

中非之间的雄厚友谊牢不可破，中国对非真实亲诚的理念也绝不会改变。

作为非洲国家的好兄弟和好伙伴，我们始终把非洲国家的需要和利益当回事，想非洲之所想，急非洲之所急。非洲当前面临着维护和平安全、促进振兴发展这两大任务，中国将根据非洲国家实际需要，加大对非洲热点问题的斡旋，加强同各国在反恐、打击海盗、防灾减灾等非传统安全领域合作，不断提高非洲国家维护自身和平与安全的能力。

在构建人类命运共同体的新征程上，非洲是不可缺少的组成部分。我们欢迎非洲兄弟姐妹继续搭乘中国发展的快车。