TL;DR
Wang Yi strongly advocates the G20 function as a joint force for global peace, stability, and multilateralism centered around the UN.
Key Points
He called for the G20 to act as guardians of world peace by respecting sovereignty and rejecting bloc confrontation (February 2025).
Wang Yi previously urged the G20 to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and maintain development issues in the core of the G20 agenda (February 2017).
During the 2016 G20 Hangzhou Summit, he stressed that China was committed to ensuring the summit's success to assist in the improvement of China-Japan relations.
Summary
Wang Yi, the Foreign Minister, articulated a clear position at the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Johannesburg, urging member states to renew their commitment to acting as a unified force for world peace and stability, building upon the consensus from the Rio de Janeiro Summit. He proposed three key roles for the G20: acting as guardians of world peace by respecting sovereignty and rejecting bloc confrontation; acting as builders of universal security, echoing the Global Security Initiative; and acting as defenders of multilateralism, stressing the authority of the United Nations, especially as the G20 continues to reform global economic governance.
He further detailed China's approach by emphasizing the need to uphold the international system with the UN at its core and support political settlements for regional hotspots like the Ukraine crisis and Gaza conflict, consistently promoting dialogue over confrontation. The Minister also highlighted the significance of the 2025 meeting being an "African moment," calling on the G20 to support Africa's self-determination and development efforts. Historically, he supported putting development issues at the core of the G20 agenda, as seen during China's 2016 Presidency, emphasizing implementation of sustainable development goals.
Key Quotes
We should see each other's development as an opportunity rather than a challenge, and view each other as partners rather than rivals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Wang Yi's main position is that the G20 must serve as a joint force for promoting world peace and stability in the current complex international landscape. He emphasizes that members should uphold multilateralism and respect each other's sovereign development paths. He advocates for translating consensus on global governance reform into concrete action.
He urged the G20 to focus on peaceful resolutions for international hotspot issues, specifically reiterating China's call for an early, peaceful settlement of the Ukraine crisis. Regarding Gaza, he stressed the necessity of implementing the ceasefire agreement and upholding the two-State solution as the only viable path forward.
He highlighted the 2025 meeting as an 'African moment' for the G20, following the African Union's full membership. He called on member nations to support Africa's industrialization, infrastructure, and development priorities while firmly opposing external interference in African countries' internal affairs.
Sources8
Wang Yi Meets with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov
Wang Yi: Transform Consensus into Actions and Well Implement the Agenda for Sustainable Development
Remarks by H.E. Wang Yi at the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting
Wang Yi: China Values Japan's Will to Support the Success of G20 Hangzhou Summit
EAM's opening remarks during meeting with Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi on the sidelines of G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, Johannesburg (February 21, 2025)
Chinese FM urges G20 to act as force for world peace, stability-Xinhua
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.