China and US need new ways to engage for stable, cooperative ties: Wang Yi

China’s top diplomat Wang Yi on Tuesday called for a new paradigm for engagement with the United States, emphasising the need for stable, cooperative ties while firmly defending what he described as China’s core interests, particularly regarding Taiwan.

During a speech in Beijing, Foreign Minister Wang also accused Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi of “openly challenging” Chinese territorial sovereignty after she suggested last month that a potential Taiwan conflict could threaten Japan’s survival.

Wang, who was speaking at the Symposium on the International Situation and China’s Foreign Relations, reiterated that Taiwan was an internal affair and the “core of core interests” for Beijing, framing reunification as a historical mission to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He said provocations by “Taiwan independence” forces and large-scale US arms sales would be firmly opposed and countered. His remarks coincided with the second day of large-scale People’s Liberation Army extensive live-fire drills around Taiwan, code-named Justice Mission 2025.

Beijing views Taiwan as part of China to be reunited by force if necessary. Most countries, including the US, do not recognise it as an independent state, but Washington opposes any attempt to take the self-ruled island by force and is legally bound to provide arms to help it defend itself.

US President Donald Trump described the drills as routine, noting that such exercises had occurred “for 20-25 years”. He said he was not worried about the escalation and cited his personal rapport with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

In the speech, Wang reflected on the past year of US-China relations, emphasising that mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation were essential for stability.

“When China and the US cooperate, both sides benefit; when they confront each other, both are harmed,” he said, urging both sides to address concerns on the basis of equality, respect and reciprocity.