China Committed to Upholding Regional Peace: Foreign Minister

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Monday that China is committed to upholding regional peace and stability and has the resolve to work with its neighbors to create a brighter future for Asia.

Wang made the remarks when meeting journalists with his German counterpart, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, after the fourth round of foreign minister-level strategic dialogue between the two countries.

The overall relationship between China and its neighboring countries is good, he said, adding that China's development has brought huge opportunities and bonuses for its neighbors.

As the overall situation in East Asia has remained stable, it is still the fastest growing region in the world with the biggest developmental potential, he said.

"We should not allow individual disputes and differences to impact the friendly cooperation between China and its neighbors as well as the stable development of the region," he said.

Wang said the existing disputes in the region are not newly emerging problems. Rather, the heating up of these disputes is due to some countries' abandonment of the consensus that they had reached with China, as well as their resorting to provocative actions, according to Wang.

These provocations are not wise and not helpful to resolving disputes, he said, noting that these countries will ultimately hurt themselves.

As long as these nations comply with the past consensus and get back to the track of direct negotiation between concerned parties, these disputes will be well managed, controlled and ultimately resolved, he said.

"China is sincere about it," he said. "The door for dialogue and consultation is always open."

Wang called on Asian countries and international society to view the current disputes with a comprehensive, objective and fair attitude, and avoid being one-sided and fueling the tensions.

He also warned outside powers with important influence in the region to pay attention to their words and deeds, and not to exacerbate the situation in the region.

Chinese President Xi Jinping put forward a guideline for regional diplomacy featuring amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness at a diplomatic work conference last year. Premier Li Keqiang also stressed China's readiness to work with neighboring countries to build a community of common interests, destiny and responsibility at the Boao Forum for Asia last week, said Wang.

He also mentioned China's two initiatives to build a Silk Road economic belt and a 21st-century maritime Silk Road, which shows China's willingness to enhance regional diplomacy aimed at promoting friendship and cooperation.

China is not only the main engine of regional economic growth, but also the defender of regional peace and stability, he said, adding that China has the resolve to create with Asian countries a peaceful and bright future for East Asia and the rest of the continent.

Source: Xinhua