China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi has cautioned that the world risks descending into the ‘law of the jungle’ if nations prioritise unilateral interests over collective global stability.
His remarks, made during a press briefing in Beijing on Friday, were a direct response to US President Donald Trump’s "America First" policy.
“There are more than 190 countries in the world,” Wang stated.
“Should each prioritise its own interests and fixate on power dynamics, weaker nations will suffer the most, and international norms will be severely undermined.”
Wang, a seasoned diplomat and close confidant of Chinese President Xi Jinping, made these remarks during his 11th annual press conference on the sidelines of China’s "Two Sessions"—a high-profile political gathering of the country’s legislature and advisory bodies.
The meticulously choreographed event serves as a platform for Beijing to articulate its stance on global affairs, with this year’s proceedings taking place against the backdrop of escalating trade tensions with Washington and Trump’s upheaval of US foreign policy.
When questioned about Trump’s decision to double tariffs on Chinese imports earlier in the week, Wang responded defiantly: “No country should entertain the illusion that it can suppress China on one hand while expecting amicable relations on the other.”
He condemned what he termed a ‘two-faced’ strategy, arguing that such an approach erodes trust and undermines diplomatic stability.
“A great power must uphold its international responsibilities rather than placing selfish interests above fundamental principles,” Wang asserted.
“China firmly opposes power politics and hegemonic behaviour.”
Since assuming office, Trump has significantly altered the US’s global posture—distancing Washington from international agreements, curtailing foreign aid, and unsettling longstanding alliances.
His administration’s pivot towards Moscow, including the recent suspension of military aid to Ukraine, has drawn criticism from European allies while providing Beijing with an opportunity to position itself as a more predictable and responsible global actor.
China has sought to capitalise on global instability by contrasting its foreign policy with Washington’s perceived unpredictability. Wang’s statements on Ukraine further reinforced Beijing’s diplomatic strategy.
Addressing the conflict, Wang described China’s relationship with Russia as a “stabilising force in an uncertain world,” even as US officials attempt to fracture the Moscow-Beijing partnership. Beijing, he insisted, maintains an “objective and impartial” stance on Ukraine, welcoming all efforts to promote peace.
Lu Shaye, China’s envoy for European affairs, echoed this sentiment, suggesting that Washington, not Beijing, should face scrutiny over its position on Russia.
“If there are concerns about China’s stance, then the US should be criticised first,” Lu stated, implying that Washington’s actions have emboldened Moscow rather than deterred it.
Wang also obliquely criticised US policy in Gaza, particularly Trump’s recent proposal to redevelop the besieged enclave into a "Middle Eastern Riviera". Without directly naming the US, he stressed that a responsible global power should prioritise humanitarian efforts and respect Palestinian sovereignty rather than pursuing self-serving geopolitical agendas.
As tensions between Beijing and Washington continue to escalate, China is seizing the opportunity to present itself as a stabilising force in global affairs—seeking to redefine its role amid shifting alliances and emerging conflicts.
