Beijing, Monday – The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Monday sharply criticized the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) nations\u2014the United States, Japan, Australia, and India\u2014accusing them of creating tensions in the Asia-Pacific region.
At a regular press briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated that while the Quad countries claim to promote a “free and open Indo-Pacific,” they are in fact “manufacturing tensions, inciting antagonism and confrontation, and curbing the development of other countries.” Lin emphasized that such actions run counter to regional aspirations for peace, development, cooperation, and prosperity, and “will by no means gain any support.”
Lin’s remarks came in response to the Quad foreign ministers expressing their “concerns” over the situation in the East and South China Seas earlier on Monday.
“China firmly upholds its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests,” Lin declared. “We are committed to properly settling bilateral maritime issues with directly concerned countries through dialogue and consultation.”
He criticized certain countries outside the region for “frequently sending advanced military aircraft and vessels to the South China Sea to flex their muscles and create tension.” Lin added that these nations have “formed various groupings and incited division and confrontation in the region,” making them “the biggest threat and challenge to regional peace and stability.”
Lin stressed that China “firmly opposes the bloc confrontation they incite in the name of ‘anti-coercion,’ and the imposition of their house rules in the name of maintaining order.”
He called on nations outside the region to “earnestly respect the efforts of regional countries for peace and stability” and to “stop fanning flames and fueling tensions in the region.”
China, Lin reiterated, believes that cooperation between countries and regional initiatives should contribute to peace, stability, and prosperity, rather than forming “exclusive clubs” that undermine trust and cooperation among regional nations.
Reference(s):
Chinese Foreign Ministry slams Quad for creating regional tensions
cgtn.com
