Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday met with several foreign officials in south China’s Hong Kong, where they attended the signing ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed).
Wang held separate meetings with Zimbabwean Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Amon Murwira, Beninese Foreign Minister Olushegun Adjadi Bakari, Swiss Federal Councilor and Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Cameroonian Minister of External Relations Lejeune Mbella Mbella, Mauritanian Foreign Minister Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug, Nepali Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba, and Lao Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith.
The IOMed reflects the shared aspirations of developing countries, offers a new option for resolving disputes through dialogue and consultation, and will help further strengthen the international rule of law, said Wang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) meets with Swiss Federal Councilor and Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis in Hong Kong, south China, May 30, 2025. /Chinese Foreign Ministry
Wang said the IOMed is an important public product of the rule of law that upholds the purposes of the UN Charter, was jointly initiated by countries of the Global South, and reflects the shared aspirations of developing nations, especially small- and medium-sized ones.
The establishment of the IOMed addresses common concerns among countries seeking peace, promoting stability and pursuing development, he stated, adding that it aligns with the prevailing trend of win-win cooperation and supports the development of global governance in a more just and equitable direction.
The IOMed is the world’s first intergovernmental international legal organization specializing in dispute resolution, he noted, expressing hope that it would play a role in promoting multilateralism and safeguarding international fairness and justice.
It helps better protect the legitimate interests of developing countries, especially small and medium-sized ones.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) meets with Cameroonian Minister of External Relations Lejeune Mbella Mbella in Hong Kong, south China, May 30, 2025. /Chinese Foreign Ministry
Bakari said Benin would expedite the approval of the convention, aiming for the IOMed to begin operations as soon as possible, as it would contribute to greater global stability – something especially important for the African continent.
Dar said China’s initiative to establish the IOMed was timely and marked an important contribution to strengthening the multilateral system. He added that Pakistan had decided to accept China’s mediation proposal and upgrade its diplomatic relations with Afghanistan to the ambassadorial level.
Cassis said the IOMed represents a significant step towards resolving differences through mediation and opens a new area of cooperation between Switzerland and China.
Nepali Foreign Minister congratulated China on the successful signing of the Convention on the Establishment of the IOMed, saying that Hong Kong is an ideal location for its headquarters.
Lao Deputy Prime Minister said mediation reflects the cultural characteristics of Asia and that developing countries are more inclined to resolve disputes through such means. He expressed confidence that the IOMed would attract more countries to join and play a vital role in promoting regional peace and security.
