Wang Yi: The diplomatic front will create a more favorable external environment for the "Fifteenth Five-Year Plan" from three aspects.

On March 8, at the press conference held in the Media Center of the National People's Congress, Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, was invited to answer questions from Chinese and foreign journalists on "China's diplomatic policy and foreign relations." A journalist asked, "The '14th Five-Year Plan' proposes to adhere to high-quality development, promote sustainable economic growth, and comprehensive social progress. What innovative measures does the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have in closely aligning with the '14th Five-Year Plan' to promote China's modernization with high-quality development?" Wang Yi responded, "The '14th Five-Year Plan' is a new blueprint for China's development and also a new vision for win-win cooperation between China and the world. This year is the beginning of the '14th Five-Year Plan', and the diplomatic front will actively coordinate diplomatic resources to create a more favorable external environment for serving high-quality development and promoting the modernization of China. We will focus on three aspects: First, we will continue to act as a driving force for high-level opening-up. We will promote the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative and expand the network of high-standard free trade zones to ensure stable and smooth production supply chains, and strive to create a fair, open, and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises going global. Second, we will continue to broaden the fast lane for personnel exchanges. We have unilaterally implemented visa exemptions for 50 countries and reached mutual visa exemptions with 29 countries. Last year, 73% of foreign nationals entering China were visa-exempt. Next, we will further optimize personnel exchange policies, release more benefits from visa-free policies, improve support services, and make it more convenient and comfortable for foreign friends to visit and live in China, as well as make it smoother and safer for Chinese citizens to go abroad. Third, we will continue to create new windows for open and inclusive exchange. We will innovate the "diplomatic envoys' local tour" activity, accelerate the construction of the "Diplomatic Service '14th Five-Year Plan' High-Quality Development Information Platform," help local regions connect with international resources, exchange governance experience, expand external cooperation, and empower local development through diplomacy."