Keynote Speech by H.E. Wang Yi

At the 61st Munich Security Conference

Conversation with China

Munich, February 14, 2025

Your Excellency Chairman Christoph Heusgen,
Dear Friends,
Colleagues,

The world we live in is an increasing mix of turbulence and transformation. Many people are asking the same question: Where is it headed? If I may borrow the theme of this year's Munich Security Report, it is headed toward multipolarization. When the United Nations was founded 80 years ago, it had only 51 member states; today, 193 countries ride in the same big boat. A multipolar world is not only a historical inevitability; it is also becoming a reality.

Will multipolarity bring chaos, conflict and confrontation? Does it mean domination by major countries and the strong bullying the weak? China's answer is, we should work for an equal and orderly multipolar world. This is another major proposition put forward by President Xi Jinping, and it represents our sincere expectation for a multipolar world. China will surely be a factor of certainty in this multipolar system, and strive to be a steadfast constructive force in a changing world.

Here, I want to make four points. 

First, it is important to advocate equal treatment. Rivalry between big powers had brought disaster to humanity, as evidenced by the lessons of the two world wars in the not-so-distant past. Whether it is the colonial system or the core-periphery structure, unequal orders are bound to meet their demise. Independence and autonomy is sought across the world, and greater democracy in international relations is unstoppable. Equal rights, equal opportunities and equal rules should become the basic principles of a multipolar world.

It is in this principle that China advocates equality among all countries regardless of size, and calls for increasing the representation and say of developing countries in the international system. This will not lead to "Westlessness," but will deliver more positive-sum results to the world. The Munich Security Conference has invited more participants from Global South countries in recent years. This is a wise thing to do. Every country should have their voice heard. Every country should be able to find their place and play their role in a multipolar paradigm.

Second, it is important to respect international rule of law. As an old Chinese saying goes, circles and squares cannot be drawn without compasses and rulers, which means nothing can be accomplished without following norms and standards. The purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter provide fundamental guidance for handling international relations. They are also an important cornerstone of a multipolar world. The world today is witnessing incessant chaos and confusion, and one important reason is that some countries believe might makes right and have opened a Pandora's box marked the law of the jungle. In reality, all countries, regardless of size or strength, are stakeholders in international rule of law. The multipolar paradigm must not be a state of disarray. Without norms and standards, one may be at the table yesterday but end up on the menu tomorrow. Major countries must take the lead in honoring their words and upholding rule of law, and must not say one thing but do another, or engage in zero-sum game.

It is based on the above points of view that China resolutely upholds the authority of international rule of law, and actively fulfills its international responsibilities and obligations. It is a member of almost all universal intergovernmental organizations and a party to over 600 international conventions. It never practices exceptionalism, still less cherrypicking. It is providing the greatest certainty in this uncertain world. I wish to emphasize that there should be no double standards in observing international law. Respect for all countries' sovereignty and territorial integrity should mean support for China's complete reunification.

Third, it is important to practice multilateralism. In the face of emerging global challenges, no country can stay unaffected, and the "we first" approach in international relations only leads to a lose-lose result. The U.N. is at the core of practicing multilateralism and advancing global governance. This edifice has shielded all countries from wind and rain for nearly 80 years, and is all the more needed in the multipolar world of the future. We should cement its foundation, rather than destroy its pillars. We should take up our responsibilities on governing global issues, rather than seek self-interests only. We should tackle common challenges in solidarity, rather than resort to bloc confrontation.

It is from this understanding that China upholds true multilateralism and advocates the vision on global governance featuring extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit. We have firmly upheld the authority and stature of the U.N., and contributed to more than 20 percent of the U.N. regular budget. We have acted earnestly on the Paris Agreement on climate change, and built the world's largest clean power generation system. We have also proposed and delivered on the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, providing public goods for improving global governance. 

Fourth, it is important to pursue openness and mutual benefit. Development holds the key to addressing various problems. The multipolar world should be one where all countries develop together. Protectionism offers no way out, and arbitrary tariffs produce no winners. Decoupling deprives one of opportunities, and a "small yard with high fences" only ends up constraining oneself. It is important to pursue open cooperation, and support an equal and orderly multipolar world with a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.

It is for this goal that China stays committed to sharing development opportunities with all countries. An Australian scholar called China an "enabler," which I find very fitting. With a five-percent GDP growth last year, China contributed to nearly 30 percent of the world economic growth. It has served as an important engine for global economic growth, and shared with the world the benefit of its supersized market. China is willing to synergize high-quality Belt and Road cooperation with the European Union's Global Gateway strategy, so as to empower each other and empower the entire world.

Friends,

China has always seen in Europe an important pole in the multipolar world. The two sides are partners, not rivals. This year marks the 50th anniversary of China-EU diplomatic relations. Taking this opportunity, China is willing to work with the European side to deepen strategic communication and mutually beneficial cooperation, and steer the world to a bright future of peace, security, prosperity and progress.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, on Monday attended a symposium on private enterprises.

Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered an important speech after listening to representatives of private entrepreneurs.

Li Qiang and Ding Xuexiang also attended the symposium, which was presided over by Wang Huning.

In response to media inquiries on report that American officials are suggesting non-European countries such as Brazil or China send their servicemen to peacekeeping force in Ukraine after the conflict ends and whether China is considering sending peacekeeping troops to Ukraine, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said, "We do not comment on hypothetical questions." China's position on the Ukraine crisis has always been fair, and has reiterated this position on multiple occasions, he added.

One of the important tasks of agricultural work in 2025 will be the continued increase of grain and oil crop yields in large areas, Pan Wenbo, chief agronomist and an official with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MOA), said on Monday at a press conference. 

"Over the past two years, China's grain production has been able to achieve stable and increased yields, largely thanks to per unit yield improvements," Pan said.

Pan noted that efforts to increase the per unit yield will be put into realizing yield improvement in larger areas. There is a greater emphasis on the integration of good fields, good seeds, good machinery, and good methods, all of which work together to increase per unit yield.

In 2024, the MOA initiated and implemented a project to increase the per unit yield of grain and oil crops, which achieved preliminary success. The annual per unit yield of grain increased by 5.1 kilograms compared with the previous year, with the improvement in per unit yield contributing to more than 80 percent of the increase in production, said Pan.

During the Central Rural Work Conference held in Beijing from December 17 to 18, 2024, it was noted that efforts should be concentrated on increasing per unit yields of grain and oil crops on a large scale, and other aspects, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

The year 2025 is the end of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) and the last year of a five-year transition period to consolidate and expand the achievements of poverty alleviation and effectively link rural revitalization. The MOA will put efforts into optimizing the efficiency of assistance, strengthening the quality of industrial employment and deepening support in key regions' development, Zhang Xingwang, vice minister of agriculture and rural affairs, also said at the Monday press conference.

The focuses of agricultural work in 2025 mentioned in the Monday conference are in line with that of the annual Central Rural Work Conference, Wang Gangyi, a professor at Northeast Agricultural University, told the Global Times on Monday.

"In terms of guaranteeing production output, the conference mapped out specific measures to stabilize areas sown with grain, increase the per unit yield of grain and oil crops, strengthen the protection and quality of cultivated land, and promote agricultural science and technology," said Wang.

"Stabilizing yield per unit mainly relies on developing new quality productive forces, namely applying digital technology to agriculture. However, the main focus, I believe, will be on promoting large-scale high-density planting," Li Guoxiang, a research fellow at the Rural Development Institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Monday.

The level of agricultural modernization in China continued to improve in 2024. The comprehensive mechanization rate of crop cultivation, harvesting, and planting is expected to have exceeded 75 percent, said Zhang.

As a result, grain production overcame the impact of natural disasters such as high temperatures and droughts, extreme floods, and super typhoons, achieving another bumper harvest in 2024, according to Zhang.

Zhang noted that for the first time, the grain output exceeded 1.4 trillion jin (700 billion tons), reaching 1.413 trillion jin in 2024, an increase of 22.18 billion jin over 2023. 

The achievements in expanding the cultivation of soybeans and oil crops have been effectively consolidated, with soybean production reaching 20.65 million tons, further increasing the self-sufficiency rate of edible vegetable oils. The stable supply of cotton, sugar, and rubber has been maintained, and the production of pork, beef, mutton, and poultry meat has reached 96.63 million tons, an increase of 0.2 percent year-on-year, said Zhang.

The supply of meat, eggs, milk, fruits, vegetables, tea, and aquatic products is sufficient, with an increase in the supply of green and high-quality agricultural products, making the dining tables of the people richer and their diets more nutritious and healthy, Zhang introduced.

The importance of ensuring food security is always a priority in China's agricultural work, Wang noted.

A batch of independently developed large civil unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) rolled off the production line on Monday in China.

Three of these large UAVs were delivered to customers for use in various fields such as agricultural and forestry protection and aerial logistics transportation.

The UAV model, named HY100, developed by Ursa Aeronautical, is a fixed-wing large UAV with a maximum takeoff weight of 5.25 tonnes and a maximum payload capacity of 1.9 tonnes. It boasts a maximum range of 1,800 kilometers, an endurance of up to 10.6 hours, and is capable of maintaining stable long-endurance flight at altitudes of 4 meters.

Compared to other types of drones, large UAVs have a greater payload capacity, a wider operational range, and more flexible flight altitudes, enabling them to complement other low-altitude aircraft, such as small drones.

"For instance, when deployed for pesticide spraying, the HY100, with a wingspan exceeding 18 meters, can cover up to 240,000 mu (approximately 16,000 hectares) in a single day," said Yu Yang, general manager of Ursa Aeronautical.

A large UAV is an unmanned aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight exceeding 150 kilograms. It has a wide range of applications, including agricultural and forestry protection, logistics transportation, aerial delivery, emergency rescue, and airborne communication relay.

The joint efforts of Bangladesh and China in enhancing bilateral trade, investment, and commercial activities will add positive value to the both countries, Touhid Hossain, Adviser for Foreign Affairs of the Interim Government of Bangladesh, said at a seminar in Shanghai on Thursday, as part of his ongoing visit to China.

Hossain expressed his gratitude for China’s positive role in the world economy and politics, as well as for its multifaceted support to Bangladesh. China and Bangladesh’s engagement has evolved into a dynamic partnership, and China’s commitment to Bangladesh’s development has been instrumental in exploring Bangladesh’s journey toward prosperity, he said in delivering a speech at the seminar.

The two friendly nations of Bangladesh and China “have fostered a relationship of comprehensive strategy partnership built on trust, mutual respect and a shared vision of a better future,” Hossain stated.

Under the theme of “our shared vision for peace, stability and prosperity,” the seminar was held at Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (SIIS) on Thursday, as part of the commemorative series marking the 50th anniversary of China-Bangladesh diplomatic relations in 2025.

China and Bangladesh are close neighbors and important members of regional cooperation. Echoing to Hossain’s remarks, Yang Jiemian, Chairman of SIIS Academic Advisory Council, said that the two countries should and could become a vital force in promoting economic cooperation in South Asia, Southeast Asia and East Asia.

“Regarding international environments, the world has entered into a period of turbulence and transformations, both China and Bangladesh, as important members of the Global South, are joining our efforts to build a better global environment of world peace and stability,” Yang said at the seminar.

Some Chinese and Bangladeshi government officials and scholars shared opinions in the fields of further collaborations between the two countries at the seminar.

China and Bangladesh share numerous development opportunities across various sectors, said Liu Zongyi, director of the SIIS Center for South Asia Studies, who also attended the seminar. “In fields such as agriculture, urbanization, environmental protection, and sustainable development, China’s wealth of experience offers valuable lessons for Bangladesh,” Liu told the Global Times.

At the invitation of Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, Hossain is scheduled to visit China from January 20 to 24, a spokesperson from the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on January 17.

The visit has delivered clear and encouraging signals, such as that the further development of China-Bangladesh relations will remain unaffected by domestic political changes in Bangladesh, as well as Bangladesh’s commitment to deepening economic cooperation with China, said Liu.