There is no vacuum in Afghanistan that needs to be filled, because the land belongs to the Afghan people. This year marks the centenary of Afghanistan’s independence. China ardently hopes that this country, after suffering so much, will have a rebirth, take destiny into its own hands from now on, and enjoy genuine independence and lasting peace. Afghanistan should not again become an arena of great-power rivalry, nor should it be subject to incessant conflict and mayhem. As Afghanistan’s neighbor and friend, China will, respecting the Afghan people’s wish and needs, continue to do its best for reconciliation and reconstruction in Afghanistan.

　　《环球时报》记者：中方如何看待委内瑞拉当前局势?一些拉美国家同中国建交引发美方强烈反应。在此背景下，中方对中拉关系发展有何看法?

　　Global Times: How does China view the situation in Venezuela? Washington has reacted strongly to several Latin American countries’ decision to establish diplomatic ties with China. Against this backdrop, how will China approach its ties with Latin America?

　　王毅：对于最近拉美局势发生的一些新变化，我想强调中方的两点原则立场：

　　Wang Yi: In regard to the latest developments in Latin America, I wish to emphasize China’s principled position as follows:

　　第一，拉美国家的主权和独立应当得到尊重。这是国际法的基本准则。任何国家的内部事务都应由本国人民自己作出决定，外部的干涉和制裁只会加剧局势紧张，只会使丛林法则再度横行。历史上这样的教训已经够多了，不应再重蹈覆辙。每一个国家的主权、独立都是宝贵的，都应得到同样的珍惜和爱护。中方愿继续支持委内瑞拉朝野各方通过和平对话寻求政治解决方案，保持国家的稳定和人民的安全。

　　Firstly, the sovereignty and independence of Latin American countries must be respected. This is a basic norm in international law. It’s up to the people of a country to decide its internal affairs. External interference and sanctions will only aggravate tension and bring back the law of the jungle. There have been plenty of such lessons in history and they shouldn’t be repeated. The sovereignty and independence of every country is precious, and must be cherished and preserved in equal measure. China will continue to support the search for a political solution in Venezuela through dialogue between the government and the opposition so as to keep the country stable and the people safe.

　　第二，拉美国家同中国发展正常关系的权利应当得到尊重。一个中国原则是公认的国际关系准则，也是世界上绝大多数国家接受、认同和践行的普遍共识。拉美国家在这个基础上与中国建立和发展关系，顺应历史发展大势和时代进步潮流，是符合自身根本和长远利益的正确选择，不应受到任何无端的干涉和指责。

　　Secondly, Latin American countries’ right to develop relations with China must be respected. The one-China principle is a widely recognized norm of international relations and an understanding accepted and acted upon by an overwhelming majority of countries. The decision by Latin American countries to establish and grow relations with China on the basis of the one-China principle accords with the trend of history and our times. It’s a correct choice that serves their fundamental and long-term interests. Such a choice shouldn’t be interfered with or criticized.

　　近年来，中国同拉美国家关系取得了很大发展。中拉之间的合作是建立在平等互利基础上的南南合作，不针对第三方，也无意动谁的奶酪。新的一年，我们将在中拉论坛、共建“一带一路”等既有机制下继续推进与拉美国家合作，推动中拉全面合作伙伴关系迈上新台阶。

　　Recent years have seen significant advancement of China-Latin America ties. Our cooperation, which is part of South-South cooperation, is grounded in equality and mutual benefit. It does not target other parties or try to “move other people’s cheese”. In the year ahead, China will deepen its engagement with Latin American countries through the China-CELAC Forum, the BRI and other mechanisms so as to usher our comprehensive cooperative partnership into a new phase.

　　彭博社记者：去年，中国外交官与加拿大、瑞典等国都发生了摩擦。为什么中国外交表现得如此强硬?

　　Bloomberg: Last year Chinese diplomats had rows with their host government in Canada, Sweden, et cetera. Why have they become so assertive?

　　王毅：咄咄逼人从来不是中国的传统，国强必霸压根不是我们的选择。同时，和其他国家一样，中国也要维护自己的正当合法权益，更不会容忍国家主权和尊严遭到侵害。一旦出现这样的情况，任何中国外交官，不管身处何地，都会坚定地表明我们的立场。

　　Wang Yi: Assertiveness has never been part of the Chinese tradition, and hegemony will never be our choice even when we become stronger. Yet like all countries, China will protect its lawful and legitimate interests and will not allow any infringement of its sovereignty and dignity. Whenever such things are at stake, Chinese diplomats, wherever they are in the world, will state China's firm position.

　　作为绵延5000年而未中断的文明，中国可以说是世界上最具连续性和可预测性的国家。与不同文明相互尊重、与世界各国和平共处、与国际社会合作共赢始终是我们坚持的信念和追求的目标。中国必将走向强大，但不会更加强硬;中国崇尚独立自主，但不会独断专行;中国当然要坚定维权，但不会谋求霸权。不管发展到什么程度，中国都会根据事情本身的是非曲直作出公正判断，都将坚持在国际法框架下依法行事。

　　As a civilization that has run uninterrupted for 5,000 years, China may be said to be the world’s most consistent and predictable country. China’s preference and goal have always been to interact with other civilizations on the basis of mutual respect, live in peace with all countries and pursue win-win results with the rest of the world. China will surely become stronger, but will not be assertive. China values its independence, but will not go it alone. China will stand up for its rights, but will not seek hegemony. Now and in the future, China will always reach fair conclusions on the merits of each matter and act within the bounds of international law.

　　澎湃新闻记者：去年以来，主席与金正恩委员长四次会晤，掀开两国关系新篇章。中方对今后中朝关系发展有何展望?

　　The Paper: Over the past year, President Xi Jinping and Chairman Kim Jong-un had four meetings and opened a new chapter in China-DPRK relations. What is China’s expectation for the relationship?

　　王毅：在过去不到一年时间里，总书记与金正恩委员长四次会晤，创下了中朝建交70年以来前所未有的记录，将载入中朝关系史册。在两国最高领导人的共同引领推动下，中朝传统友谊焕发出勃勃生机，两国关系也由此掀开新的时代篇章。

　　Wang Yi: General Secretary Xi and Chairman Kim have had four meetings in less than a year, a record-setting pace of interactions in the 70-year history of China-DPRK ties. Under the joint guidance and push of our top leaders, our traditional friendship is brimming with vitality and our relationship is turning a new chapter.

　　中朝传统友谊由两国老一辈领导人亲手缔造和培育，是我们双方共同的宝贵财富，不应也不会受一时一事的影响。今年正值中朝建交70周年，对两国关系具有承前启后、继往开来的重大意义。传承和发展中朝传统友好，符合双方共同利益，也是中方的坚定选择。我们将全力支持朝方走符合本国国情的发展道路，在社会主义建设事业中不断取得新的进展;我们将全力支持朝方实施新的国家战略，集中力量发展经济和改善民生;我们将全力支持朝方坚持半岛无核化大方向，在实现无核化进程中解决自身正当关切。总之，我们愿同朝方携手共创新时代的中朝关系，维护好两国人民的根本利益，维护好半岛问题的政治解决进程，维护好地区的和平与稳定。

　　China-DPRK traditional friendship was forged and nurtured by the older generations of our leaders. It’s a valuable asset shared by both sides which should not and will not be affected by any temporary incident. The 70th anniversary of our diplomatic ties is a great opportunity to build on this strong legacy and take it forward. It is in our shared interests to cement and develop our long-standing friendship, and China is determined to do so. China fully supports the DPRK in exploring a development path that suits itself and making continuous progress in socialist construction, in implementing a new national strategy and focusing more on economic growth and better livelihoods, and in keeping to the goal of denuclearization and having its legitimate concerns addressed in this process. China will work with the DPRK to build a strong relationship for the new era, safeguard the fundamental interests of our peoples, move toward solving the issues on the peninsula by political means, and maintain peace and stability in our region.

　　印度报业托拉斯记者：去年，印中两国领导人武汉非正式会晤，印中关系得到实质提升。中方希望如何塑造印中关系?

　　Press Trust of India: Last year’s India-China summit in Wuhan is widely regarded as a watershed moment between the two countries. What’s your vision for the relationship?