On March 7, during a press conference, Wang Yi, China's Foreign Minister, emphasized that Asia should not be a battleground for major power rivalry but rather a model for international cooperation. He reiterated President Xi Jinping's diplomatic philosophy of "amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness", which has guided China's engagement with its neighboring countries.
Wang Yi highlighted that China has established a shared future framework with 17 neighboring countries, forming two major regional communities in Indochina and Central Asia. Additionally, China has signed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) cooperation agreements with 25 countries, making it the region's largest trading partner for 18 nations. This underscores China's role as a pillar of stability, an economic driver, and a security anchor in Asia.
U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy: Destabilizing Rather Than Beneficial
Addressing concerns over U.S. military deployments in the region, Wang Yi condemned Washington's Indo-Pacific Strategy, asserting that it has failed to benefit regional countries and has instead sown discord and provoked conflicts. He criticized the U.S. for fueling tensions rather than fostering development, stating that regional cooperation should be based on mutual respect and shared prosperity rather than geopolitical confrontation.
Confidence in a South China Sea Code of Conduct
Regarding the ongoing maritime disputes, particularly with the Philippines in the South China Sea, Wang Yi dismissed the tensions as a "shadow play" orchestrated by foreign forces and amplified by Western media". He stressed that China remains committed to safeguarding its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights while maintaining humanitarian principles in disputed areas like Ren'ai Reef and Scarborough Shoal.
Wang reaffirmed China's commitment to finalizing a Code of Conduct (COC) for the South China Sea with ASEAN nations. He noted that the COC negotiations have made significant progress, reaching the third reading stage, and expressed confidence in its eventual completion. China aims to work with ASEAN to eliminate external interference, promote dialogue, and transform the South China Sea into a sea of peace, friendship, and cooperation.
As China advocates for an open and inclusive regional order, its diplomatic efforts seek to counteract external disruptions and foster deeper economic and security collaboration across Asia. Wang Yi concluded by reiterating that China will remain a stabilizing force in Asia, committed to mutual growth and regional peace.
(Source: Wen Wei Po)
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