‘Partners, not threats’: Xi Jinping’s outreach to Asian leaders at APEC summit

Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with leaders of Japan, Philippines and different nations a part of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, days after making veiled assaults on the US. Xi Jinping has stated Asia-Pacific is “nobody’s yard” and should not become an arena of “massive energy rivalry”. 

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake arms throughout their assembly on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, APEC, discussion board in Bangkok, Thailand.  (Photo: AP)

By India Today Web Desk: Chinese President Xi Jinping, in his first face-to-face assembly with leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation discussion board in Bangkok, known as for peaceable coexistence, days after he warned of Asia turning into an enviornment of “big power rivalry”. In a gathering with Japanese prime minister, Xi Jinping stated China and Japan (a US ally) are companions not threats.

Xi Jinping’s conferences got here at a time when the US is making an attempt to push again in opposition to China’s affect within the area.

China had staged main army drills in areas surrounding Taiwan in August in an indignant response to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s go to there, and fired 5 ballistic missiles into waters close to the Japanese island of Okinawa, infuriating Japan.

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In his handle to the annual summit of 21 member economies of APEC, Xi stated, “China is ready to pursue peaceful coexistence and common development with all countries on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit.”

“China will continue to share our development opportunities with the world, particularly with the Asia-Pacific region,” he added.

The APEC forum is the third of three high-level summits in Asia where the US has been pushing the message that Washington is a reliable economic and security partner. During an event on the sidelines of APEC, US Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday assured Asian leaders that “the United States is here to stay.”

“And there is no better economic partner for this region than the United States of America,” she said.

‘PARTNERS, NOT THREATS’

Chinese President Xi Jinping told Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida that the two countries should be partners and not threats. Kishida, who raised the issue of East China Sea and China’s military activity in the region, said there are possibilities of cooperation.

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‘RIGHT DIRECTION OF ECONOMIC INTEGRATION’

In a meeting with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Xi Jinping pledged to work with the city-state to “keep to the right direction of economic and regional integration.”

While not a US ally like Japan, Singapore largely embodies the region’s desire to balance its ties with Washington and Beijing. The US Navy’s 7th Fleet plays an active role in the strategically key South China Sea, which China claims virtually in its entirety, and Singapore supports the American military presence.

‘FRIENDLY CONSULTATIONS ON SOUTH CHINA SEA’

In another bilateral meeting, Xi Jinping told Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, whose country is a treaty ally and important security partner of the US, that China is willing to boost its imports of food and other products and work together on agriculture, infrastructure, energy and people-to-people exchanges.

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The Philippines, Vietnam and other countries in Southeast Asia have long had territorial disputes with China over its claims in the South China Sea. Xi Jinping said, “on the South China Sea, the two sides must stick to friendly consultations and handle differences and disputes properly.”

Ahead of the summit, Chinese President Xi, in a written statement, had made veiled attacks on the US saying Asia-Pacific is “nobody’s yard” and should not become an arena of “massive energy rivalry”.

“No try to wage a brand new chilly struggle will ever be allowed by the individuals or by our occasions,” Xi had stated in an announcement as chilly struggle tensions stay with the US within the area.

(With inputs from businesses)

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Published On:

Nov 19, 2022