Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Wednesday called on the major powers to keep their differences under control and warned of the risks of “a new Cold War” during summits in Indonesia attended by representatives of major powers and leaders of ‘South East Asia.
Beijing had previously expressed concerns about US policy aimed at encouraging the formation of regional blocs in its neighborhood, such as the Quad (USA, Japan, Australia and India) or the military alliance Aukus (Australia, United States, United Kingdom). United).
The Chinese official called for opposing any confrontation between blocs at an Asean 3 summit bringing together Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and leaders of the Association of Asian Nations from the South East.
“Disagreements and disputes may arise between countries due to misunderstandings, conflicting interests or external interference,” Li Qiang said.
“To keep these differences under control, what is essential now is not to choose a side, to oppose confrontation between blocs, and to prevent a new Cold War,” he continued.
After a meeting of ASEAN leaders on Tuesday, the regional group held successive summits in Jakarta on Wednesday with China, Japan, South Korea and the United States, and Canada, providing an opportunity for major powers to woo or pressure the bloc of 10 countries.
US Vice President Kamala Harris replaces President Joe Biden on this occasion, and Chinese Premier Li Qiang President Xi Jinping.
On Thursday, Jakarta will host the East Asia Summit which is expected to cover major geopolitical issues with 18 countries present, including Russia and India.
During his meeting with ASEAN leaders, Kamala Harris thanked them for “their joint commitment to international rules and norms (…) and regional issues”.
Japanese and Chinese leaders have raised the issue of the discharge of water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant.
Fumio Kishida explained the Japanese position and called for a “constructive and stable” bilateral relationship, while the Chinese official insisted on a responsible attitude from Tokyo on these rejections which worry the countries of the region. “But it was not a tense discussion,” said a diplomat present at the meeting.
The South Korean president for his part asked his partners to refuse any potential cooperation with North Korea, which is conducting negotiations on arms sales with Russia, according to Washington.
“Any attempt to establish military cooperation with North Korea, which is acting to undermine peace in the international community, must immediately stop,” said the leader, quoted by a presidential official according to the Yonhap agency.
Indonesia, the host country of the ASEAN summit, said on Tuesday that the group’s countries should not serve as an intermediary for the major powers, while Washington and Beijing continue to oppose on the issues of Taiwan, the South China Sea and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The roundtable, including Sergei Lavrov and Kamala Harris, is expected to be the first high-level meeting between the United States and Russia since the meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers in Jakarta in July.
Burma is also an important topic in meetings with China, a key diplomatic ally of the junta.
On Tuesday, Southeast Asian leaders strongly condemned the violence and attacks on civilians in Burma, blaming the junta directly.
Kamala Harris stressed that Washington “will continue to press the regime to end the horrific violence, and to release all those who are unjustly detained as well as to put Burma back on the path of an inclusive democracy”.
China had raised alarm among several ASEAN members last week by releasing a new official map claiming sovereignty over much of the South China Sea.
Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Japan have officially denounced this document.
Some ASEAN leaders have expressed concern over “reclaimed land, activities and serious incidents” in the South China Sea, according to an ASEAN presidency statement released on Wednesday.
But members of the regional group should avoid directly confronting Beijing.
“I expect that the priority on the economy will be maintained and that the leaders will avoid tackling confrontational subjects such as the new Chinese map,” said Aleksius Jemadu, an expert in international affairs at Pelita Harapan University in Jakarta.
06/09/2023 18:28:26 – Jakarta (AFP) – © 2023 AFP
