China passed the “Law of the People’s Republic of China on Foreign Relations” on June 28, 2023. Wang Yi, China’s number one official in charge of foreign affairs, holding the titles of Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP’s) Politburo member, Director of CCP Central Committee’s Foreign Affairs Work Committee, and State Council member, published a lengthy report on People’s Daily to praise the significance of the law.
Wang stated that the law represents Xi Jinping’s ideas on conducting foreign affairs, as well as the work of the CCP’s leadership on the matter. He also suggested that law offers a weapon for China to better fight against foreign forces.
Wang stated the following:
“(1) The enactment of the law on foreign relations is a major achievement in implementing Xi Jinping Diplomatic Thought in the form of law.”
“(2) The enactment of the law on foreign relations is an important measure to strengthen the centralized and unified leadership of the CCP Central Committee on foreign affairs.”
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“(6) The enactment of the law on foreign relations address an urgent need to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests. At present, China’s development has entered a period of the coexistence of strategic opportunities and risks and challenges, with increased uncertainties and unpredictable factors. In the face of serious challenges, we must maintain strategic determination, know and meet the difficulties, dare to fight, and be good at fighting. This includes the use of the weapon of laws and continuous enrichment and improvement of the legal “toolbox” for foreign affairs struggle, and full use of the law as a “stabilizer” for international order. The enactment of the foreign relations law, the clearly opposing of all hegemony and superpower politics, the opposing of any unilateralism, protectionism, bullying, and foreign interference, sanctions, sabotage and other acts against our country, and the clear enactment of legal provisions on countermeasures and restrictions will have preventive, warning, and deterrent effect, offering our country the legal basis to exercise anti-sanctions and anti-interference, and offering us legal means to safeguard national interests and maintain world peace.”
Source: People’s Daily, June 29, 2023
http://politics.people.com.cn/n1/2023/0629/c1001-40023485.html