Xi Jinping: "Asia-Pacific Should Not Become a Stage for Power Competition"... Targets the US Again

Emphasizing Regional Cohesion, Consecutive Checks on the US
"The Indo-Pacific Is No One's Backyard"
At Meeting with Japanese PM Kishida, "Keep Regional Common Interests in Mind"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Kim Hyunjung] Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized regional security and cooperation at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit held in Thailand, stating that "the Asia-Pacific region is no one's backyard and should not become a stage for power competition." His remarks are interpreted as presenting a development vision through regional cohesion while sending a warning to the United States.

According to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the 17th, President Xi delivered a written speech at the APEC meeting in Thailand, stating, "Any attempt to provoke a new Cold War will never be tolerated by the people and the times."

At the beginning of his speech, he emphasized, "The world is once again at a crossroads," and said, "Where are we headed, and what should we do here in the Asia-Pacific? We must answer these questions." He continued, "Our region, which accounts for one-third of the world's population, more than 60% of the global economy, and nearly half of world trade, is the most dynamic growth belt in the world," but pointed out that "as the world enters a new era, geopolitical tensions and evolving economic dynamics have negatively impacted the Asia-Pacific's development environment and cooperation."

He also stressed, "Cold War mentalities, hegemonism, unilateralism, and protectionism are on the rise," and "Acts that distort international norms, disrupt economic linkages, exacerbate regional conflicts, and hinder development cooperation are occurring frequently." Furthermore, he argued, "The Asia-Pacific region, once a stage for great power competition and filled with international conflicts, has suffered too much from conflicts and wars," adding, "Regional confrontation cannot solve any problems, and prejudice only leads to disaster."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Xi's remarks appear to criticize the Cold War framework developed by the United States targeting China on multiple fronts and to convey a message about the need for regional cohesion. In particular, he emphasized, "Attempts over the years to destroy or even dismantle the industries and supply chains formed in the Asia-Pacific region lead Asia-Pacific economic cooperation into a dead end," and stressed, "We must walk the path of solidarity." He added, "We have lived as one big family," and "The Asia-Pacific region has entered an important phase after COVID-19. We must strengthen cooperation, support each other, and become leaders in the global economic recovery."

During the subsequent summit meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, President Xi continued his remarks targeting the United States. Referring to the Taiwan issue, he said, "China does not interfere in other countries' internal affairs and will not accept any excuse for interference in its own internal affairs." He also added, "We must keep in mind the common interests of the region, uphold strategic autonomy and neighborly friendship, and reject conflicts and confrontations."

After the meeting, China's state-run Global Times cited Da Zhiqiang, Director of the Northeast Asia Research Institute at the Heilongjiang Academy of Social Sciences, saying, "One of the main causes of the deterioration in China-Japan relations is Japan's active involvement in the U.S. strategy to contain China," and reported, "Japan should understand that bringing non-regional forces into the Asia-Pacific region turns this area into a battleground of confrontation and could ultimately jeopardize Japan's own development."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.