简体中文
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday expounded China's Asian security concept and cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in solving disputes over the South China Sea.
Attending the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Foreign Ministers Meeting, Wang reaffirmed that China is committed to working with ASEAN to solve the South China Sea disputes.
Wang made the remarks to rebuke the so-called tense situation propagated by some countries over the South China Sea.
In outlining China's Asian security concept, the top Chinese diplomat criticized certain foreign powers for meddling in South China Sea issues, and put forward constructive proposals for expanding China-ASEAN relations.
Questionable U.S. involvement in south China Sea issues
Generally speaking, the current situation of the South China Sea is steady without any problem with free navigation, Wang said, rebuking the hype that the region is mired in escalating military confrontation between China and several ASEAN nations.
"Up to now, I have never heard any vessel's free voyage was affected," he said.
Relations between China and ASEAN have remained sound and flourishing, Wang noted, adding the two sides are able and wise enough to safeguard peace and stability of South China Sea through bilateral dialogue and consultation.
The remarks have been interpreted by analysts as China's resolute rejection of U.S. sow-discord behavior in the land disputes in South China Sea.
"I could not understand why some countries out of the region stayed restless to propagate its tense situation," Wang said, "Is it they want to confuse the region?"
"Countries out of the region can reasonably voice their concern, but we disagree with them for coming to the region finger-pointing," he added.
Wang made his point more specific when meeting with his U.S. counterpart John Kerry, saying China will resolutely safeguard its sovereignty, maritime rights and interests and stay committed to resolving differences with the countries concerned through dialogue and consultation.
China hopes that all parties will hold dear the hard-won stability of the region, uphold objectiveness and equity and play a constructive role, he said.
In response, Kerry said the U.S. will not take sides on the issue of the South China Sea, adding that what it hopes is peace and stability of the region.
Noting that the China-ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting has reached important consensus, Wang reiterated China's commitment to implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and pushing for the early conclusion of a code of conduct of the parties in the South China Sea (COC) through consensus.
Common, comprehensive, cooperative, sustainable Asian security concept
Wang said China believes that it is necessary to advocate the practice of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security concept of Asia, and blaze a new trail of security that is upheld and shared by all and brings benefits to all.
He said that the Asian security concept calls for consultation and dialogue rather than threat of force, openness and inclusiveness rather than mutual repulsion, win-win cooperation rather than the zero-sum game.
In disputes over territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, the parties concerned should seek for peaceful resolutions through negotiation and consultation based on international law, norms governing international relations and historical facts.
Wang also proposed that major countries should be objective and reasonable when judging each other's strategic intentions and stick to the principle of non-conflict, non-confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation.
The centrality of ASEAN should be upheld and mechanisms such as the ARF and the enlarged session of the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting should make more contributions to regional security.
"We should stay open and inclusive, stick to multilateralism, discard the outdated mentality of power politics and military deterrence, take one step at a time and run security cooperation in parallel with economic cooperation so that they can reinforce each other," Wang said.
The Chinese foreign minister also said the ARF should give priority to trust in the future, put confidence-building measures at its core, build up consensus through preventive diplomacy, be result-oriented, deepen cooperation in non-traditional security fields such as disaster relief, counter-terrorism, campaign against cross-border crimes, maritime security and cyber security, be open-minded and keep pace with the times so as to enhance the efficacy and vitality of the ARF.
Wang said that Asia has maintained peace, stability and relatively fast development over recent years. It is because countries in the region are committed to improving economy and the people's well-being, making Asia the most dynamic and promising region in the world. It is because countries in the region are active about engaging in and promoting regional cooperation.
They work in concert to foster the spirit of consensus building and accommodating all parties' comfort levels. It is also because major countries carry out sound interactions in the region, creating a generally stable regional environment, Wang noted.
