China Has Expanded Its Diplomatic Ties Significantly Over The Last Decade

BEIJING, Oct 20 (Bernama) -- China has been working to expand its diplomatic service since the last decade, and so far it has established diplomatic relations with 181 countries and partnerships with 113 countries and regional organisations. Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Ma Zhaoxu said in comparison a decade ago China had diplomatic relations with 172 countries and partnerships with 41 countries. “In particular, China now has stronger strategic support from our neighbouring countries and enjoys increased unity and cooperation with other developing countries,” he said during a press conference as the sidelines of the 20th National Communist Party of China (CPC) Congress here. In serving the country's economic and social development, he said China has signed 19 Free Trade Agreements (FTA) with 26 countries and regions, and promoted the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement. Meanwhile, Ma said the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has attracted the active participation of 149 countries and 32 international organizations as participants, and solid progress made in a large number of flagship projects such as the China-Laos railway and the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway. China also has robustly upheld its sovereignty, security and development interests in face of external containment, suppression and responded with strength, he said. -- BERNAMA