China’s top diplomat Wang Yi calls for nations to reject ‘bloc confrontation’ in swipe at US
- Foreign minister tells maritime forum oceans should be ‘link’ for cooperation, not used to create obstacles ‘that separate the world’
- He also says historical maritime disputes should be settled through ‘amicable consultations and negotiations directly between parties’
The foreign minister made the comments in a pre-recorded video address to the Symposium on Global Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance in Hainan on Wednesday, a two-day forum attended by diplomats, officials and academics from more than 20 countries and regions.
Wang said the world’s oceans should be “a link for the promotion of exchanges and cooperation among countries” and not used for “decoupling and creating obstacles that separate the world”.
He said maritime conflicts should be resolved through peaceful means.
“We should insist on the settlement of historical maritime disputes through amicable consultations and negotiations directly between parties and reject bloc confrontation and zero-sum games,” Wang said.
Speaking at the same forum, Sun Weidong, Chinese foreign vice-minister, said Beijing rejected “the formation of exclusive blocs” to create maritime hegemonism and divisive confrontation.
He said China advocated dialogue and consultation and opposed any show of force in managing maritime security.