China is willing to work with Russia to promote new cooperation mechanisms and strengthen friendship, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said at a press conference on the sidelines of the annual parliament session in Beijing, quoted by Reuters.

China and Russia announced a "borderless" partnership in February 2022 when Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Beijing, days before sending tens of thousands of troops to Ukraine, the agency recalled.

"China and Russia have created a new model of relations between major countries, which is completely different from the outdated approach of the Cold War era, based on the principles of non-alignment, non-confrontation and non-targeting against third countries," Wang Yi noted, quoted by AFP and TASS.

The minister said that Beijing will continue to work for peace and stability in the world.

"Faced with an unstable and complex international environment, China will resolutely be a force for peace, stability and progress in the world," he assured.

The annual session of the Chinese National People's Congress (Parliament) is China's main political event of the year, traditionally giving the government an opportunity to outline its economic and diplomatic policies.

Wang Yi's press conference is being watched with particular attention to understand China's position on some important international issues such as the war in Ukraine, Sino-American relations and relations between Beijing and Taiwan, BTA writes.

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"We are resolutely against any hegemony and intimidation, and firmly uphold our sovereignty, security and development interests," the Chinese foreign minister stressed.

Sino-American ties have suffered in recent years due to controversy over a number of issues: relations with Taiwan, trade, rivalry in the field of new technologies, the struggle for influence in the Asia-Pacific region, the situation in the South China Sea and human rights. 

The US is "blaming China under any pretext", Wang Yi said today, as tensions between the world's two largest economies remain high.

"The means of exerting pressure on China are constantly being renewed, and the list of unilateral sanctions is constantly expanding," he noted with regret.

The US continues to have the wrong image of China and has yet to fulfill its promises despite progress made since the meeting between Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping last November, the minister said.

Beijing's growing political influence in the world sometimes causes friction with other major powers.

China has been criticized by the West, and especially by the Europeans, for example for its stance on Ukraine.

While calling for respect for the territorial integrity of all countries, including Ukraine, Beijing has never publicly condemned Russia.

Beijing has sought to establish itself as a neutral side in the war, but its strategic partnership with Moscow has strengthened since the conflict began.

China regularly calls for a political settlement of the conflict.

His envoy to Ukraine, diplomat Li Hui, has been in Moscow and Brussels in recent days for talks with Russian and European senior officials.

Regarding Taiwan, Wang Yi said: "Our policy is very clear - to continue to most sincerely pursue the prospect of peaceful reunification. Our red line is also extremely clear - we will never allow Taiwan to separate from the motherland."

He noted that security in the Taiwan Strait is dictated by the observance of the "One China" principle.

Wang Yi also warned that Beijing would defend its rights in the South China Sea after a series of incidents with the Philippines in the vast maritime area claimed by several countries.

"We will uphold our legitimate rights under the law," he said after another confrontation this week between Chinese forces and the Philippine coast guard.

China's foreign minister said the humanitarian catastrophe caused by the war in the Gaza Strip was a disgrace to civilization and reiterated Beijing's call for an immediate ceasefire.

"The fact that today, in the 21st century, this humanitarian catastrophe cannot be stopped is a human tragedy and a disgrace to civilization," he said.

At the press conference, Wang Yi also touched on the topic of the BRICS organization.

He said its development "aims to strengthen the peacekeeping potential and expand the front of world justice" and should not be seen as a challenge.

"In a broader sense, BRICS expansion is a manifestation of the rise of the global South and the accelerated development of multipolarity in the world. It fundamentally changes the map of the world economy," he added.

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