China says to avoid 'NATO-like' alliances in Asia

“Efforts to promote a NATO-style alliance in the Asia-Pacific are essentially a way to kidnap countries in the region and exaggerate conflicts and confrontations, which will only push the Asia-Pacific into a spiral of disputes and conflicts,” Mr. Li Shangfu declared.

china's minister of national defense fights for nato-like alliances in asia thai binh duong picture 1 — Defense Minister Lee Hsien Loong speaks at the Shangri-La Dialogue on regional security on June 4, 2023. Photo: Reuters

Mr. Ly Thuong Phuc did not name any country in his statement, but it is believed that he was aimed at the US. Currently, the US is a member of several military alliances in the Asia-Pacific region, such as AUKUS with Australia and the UK or the QUAD group including Australia, India and Japan.

Li Shangfu said international issues should be resolved by all countries through consultation, not by one or a few countries dictating. "China has always advocated and is committed to promoting justice and equality in the world, and firmly upholds the international system centered on the United Nations...", he added.

In his speech, Li Shangfu said the world is big enough for China and the US to develop together: “China and the US have different systems... However, this should not prevent the two sides from seeking common ground and common interests to develop bilateral relations and strengthen cooperation.”

“It is undeniable that a serious conflict or confrontation between China and the United States would be an unbearable disaster for the world,” he stressed.

Following Li Shangfu's speech, veteran Chinese diplomat Cui Tiankai, former Chinese Ambassador to the United States, called on the United States to reduce military deployments near China, as a precondition for the two powers to resume high-level defense talks.

Relations between the US and China are strained over a range of issues, including Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its territory, disputes in the South China Sea, and various technology and trade wars between the two countries; as well as the recent US downing of a Chinese balloon.

Hoang Anh (according to Xinhua News Agency, Reuters)

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