China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian stated that cooperation between the countries should not be directed at third parties ahead of the upcoming Quad summit hosted by the United States.
Highlight:-
- It is China’s firm opinion that any regional cooperation mechanism should enhance confidence
- President Biden hosted the first-ever virtual summit of the Quad leaders in March.
- Forming closed and exclusive ‘cliques’ to attack other countries runs opposed to the current trend and goes against regional expectations.
China slammed the impending first-ever Quad summit, hosted by US Vice President Joe Biden, saying the development of “exclusive cliques” aimed at other countries is “doomed to fail” and goes against the current trend.
President Biden will convene the first in-person Quad summit on September 24 in Washington, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga in attendance.
When asked about the upcoming Quad meeting, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a press conference that cooperation among the countries should not be directed at third parties.
“It is China’s firm opinion that any regional cooperation mechanism should enhance confidence and collaboration among regional countries rather than target the third party or harm its interests,” Zhao added.
“Forming closed and exclusive ‘cliques’ to attack other countries runs opposed to the current trend and goes against regional expectations. As a result, it receives no support and is doomed to fail, “he stated.
He claimed that China is a significant driver of economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region and a steadfast protector of regional peace and stability.
“China’s growth is a force for global peace as well as a boon to regional prosperity and development. Relevant nations should abandon their outmoded zero-sum attitude and narrow geopolitical perceptions, appropriately assess China’s progress, respect people’s aspirations in the region, and do more to promote regional solidarity and cooperation, “he stated
In November 2017, India, Japan, the United States, and Australia expressed a long-awaited proposal to form the Quad to devise a new strategy to keep the Indo-crucial Pacific’s water routes free of foreign influence.
President Biden hosted the first-ever virtual summit of the Quad leaders in March, vowing to work toward an Indo-Pacific region that is free, open, inclusive, grounded in democratic ideals, and free of coercion, conveying a subtle message to China.
The Quad Summit will take place in the middle of China’s aggressive behaviour in the South China Sea, rich in natural resources.
Beijing claims sovereignty over practically the entire 1.3 million square miles of the South China Sea. China has been constructing military bases on manufactured islands claimed by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
Published By – Ranjit Gohite
Edited By – Subbuthai Padma
