Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) greets Mamadou Tangara, Gambian minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation, in Islamabad, Pakistan, March 23, 2022. （Photo：Chinese Foreign Ministry）

China opposes power politics and bloc confrontation, stands for equality among all countries regardless of size, and advocates promoting greater democracy in international relations, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Wednesday.

Wang made the remarks when meeting with Mamadou Tangara, Gambian minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation, on the sidelines of the 48th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation held in Pakistan's capital Islamabad.

Commenting on bilateral ties, Wang said China appreciates Gambia having adhered to the one-China principle to maintain the political foundation for bilateral relations since the two countries resumed diplomatic relations in March 2016.

China will continue to support Gambia's efforts for national development and improving its people's well-being, he said, according to a statement released by the Chinese foreign ministry.

Tangara hailed the reliable and strong partnership between the two countries and reaffirmed Gambia's adherence to the one-China policy.

He said that like China, Gambia sticks to an independent foreign policy and firmly supports multilateralism.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) greets Niger's Foreign Minister Hassoumi Massaoudou in Islamabad, Pakistan, March 23, 2022. （Photo：Chinese Foreign Ministry）

Wang also met with Niger's Foreign Minister Hassoumi Massaoudou in Islamabad and Pakistani Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa in Rawalpindi on Wednesday.

Wang told Massaoudou that China stands ready to enhance coordination and collaboration with Niger in multilateral affairs, and jointly oppose hegemonism, safeguard international fairness and justice and defend the common interests of developing countries.

Massaoudou underscored China's help to Niger in fighting COVID-19. Noting that China has become an important economic and trade partner of Niger, he said Niger stands ready to deepen its friendship with China and expects that it will get more support from China in growing the economy and raising its international competitiveness.

In his meeting with Bajwa, Wang said China appreciates efforts made by the Pakistani military to guarantee the safe and smooth advancement of the building of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and protect the safety of Chinese institutions and personnel in Pakistan.

They also exchanged views on the situation in Afghanistan and Ukraine. Bajwa said Pakistan supports China in hosting the third meeting of the foreign ministers of Afghanistan's neighbors and appreciates China's just and balanced position on Ukraine as well as its efforts to facilitate talks.

Wang criticized the attempt to seek one's own absolute security based on the insecurity of others.