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BEIJING – Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will meet with his counterparts from four Southeast Asian countries this week as Beijing seeks to expand its influence in the region amid a sharp decline in relations with Washington.
The talks with Vivian Balakrishnan from Singapore, Hishammuddin Hussein from Malaysia, Retno Marsudi from Indonesia and Teodoro Locsin from the Philippines are taking place over three days in the southern city of Nanping in Fujian province.
The official Xinhua news agency said on Thursday, April 1, that Wang told Balakrishnan that China wants to strengthen strategic communication and make joint efforts to maintain regional peace and stability.
The two countries should work together to oppose vaccine nationalism, Xinhua quoted Wang as saying.
He also referred to the ongoing turmoil in Myanmar and told Balakrishnan that China supports the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in upholding the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries and in helping to restore stability in Myanmar. in the manner of Asean, Xinhua said. .
China has tried to prevent the Asean bloc from taking a unified position on China’s claims over virtually the entire South China Sea, where it has territorial disputes with several Southeast Asian countries.
The Philippines on Wednesday demanded the withdrawal of more than 250 Chinese ships that have sighted about six islands and reefs in the disputed waters.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hua Chunying responded on Thursday that Whitsun Reef, where the boats were first sighted more than a week ago, has long been a place for Chinese fishing boats to take refuge from rough waters, and that it is normal for them to do so.
“We know that there are some forces that are still trying to drive a wedge between China and the Philippines by all means,” he said. “We hope the Philippines will be able to tell right from wrong and will not be fooled.”
After wrapping up his meetings with his Southeast Asian counterparts on Friday, Wang will meet with South Korean Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong in the southern port of Xiamen on Saturday amid tensions over North Korea. , which depends on China’s economic and political support. (AP)
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