UNITED NATIONS — China will not ever be cowered by threats, or subdued by pressure, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Sept 27.

Facing the headwinds of protectionism, China should not just stand idly by, Wang said at the General Debate of the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Erecting walls will not resolve global challenges, and blaming others for one's own problems does not work, he said, noting that tariffs and provocation of trade disputes, which upset global industrial and supply chains, serve to undermine the multilateral trading regime and global economic and trade order.

They may even plunge the world into recession, he added.

Regarding economic and trade frictions and differences, the top diplomat said, China is committed to resolve them in a calm, rational and cooperative manner, and is willing to demonstrate utmost patience and goodwill.

Should the other side act in bad faith, or show no respect for equal status or rules in negotiations, China will have to make necessary responses to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests and to uphold international justice, he said.

As a country with a 5,000-year civilization, 1.4 billion hardworking and courageous people, and a vast land of 9.6 million square km, China will not ever be cowered by threats, or subdued by pressure, he stressed.