China warns that Cold War problems could be ‘reheated’ in Asia-Pacific region

Asia-Pacific region described as scene of ‘power play’ by Western entities seeking to ‘curtail, suppress and contain China’

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Chinese soldiers take part in a flag-raising ceremony in the port city of Qinhuangdao, Hebei province, to mark the 76th anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army on April 23, 2025. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 8:00am, 13 May 2025Updated: 3:02pm, 13 May 2025

The Cold War could heat up again in the Asia-Pacific region and China must strengthen domestic political stability and national security in a deteriorating geopolitical environment, Beijing said in a white paper on Monday.

Ideological subversion “by hostile forces” must be prevented and the rule of the Communist Party must be guaranteed, as the country faces “increasing external security pressure” as well as “unprecedentedly complicated” risks, according to the paper titled “China’s national security in the new era” and issued by the State Council, China’s cabinet.

“The anti-China forces in the West are trying every possible means to curtail, suppress and contain China,” the paper said. “They are implementing a strategy of ‘westernising and dividing’ and carrying out infiltration and sabotage activities against China.”

The white paper was issued on the same day that China and the United States finished initial tariff negotiations in the countries’ ongoing trade war. The two sides agreed over the weekend to reduce their tariffs on each other’s goods for a 90-day period.

Despite the momentary de-escalation in trade tensions, the rivalry between the world’s two largest economies appears poised to stay high on multiple fronts.

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