China pushes for nuclear weapon-free Southeast Asia
China on Monday said it is ready to work with the members of
the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) towards a nuclear
weapon-free region besides ensuring stability in the disputed South China Sea.
“China supports ASEAN’s efforts to build a nuclear
weapon-free zone, and is prepared to sign the Protocol to the Treaty on the
Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone as early as possible,” President Xi
Jinping told the China-Asia summit marking 30 years of the relations between
two sides.
Beijing’s demand for a nuclear-free Southeast Asia comes as
the US and UK empower their ally Australia with nuclear-armed submarines under
a deal called AUKUS signed in September.
Xi also announced the establishment of China-ASEAN
Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during his speech for “a new milestone” in
the history of their relations.
“Maintaining peace is our greatest common interest and the
most cherished aspiration of people of all countries,” he said, urging taking a
course of “dialogue instead of confrontation.”
Reiterating Beijing’s long-held focus on “practicing true
multilateralism,” Xi said: “China firmly opposes hegemonic and power politics.
China pursues long-term, friendly coexistence with neighboring countries, and
is part of the common efforts for durable peace in the region. China will never
seek hegemony, still less bully smaller countries.”
While Xi announced to jointly work with the ASEAN to build a
“health shield” for the region, he urged the 10-member grouping to “pursue
common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security.” The president
also called for deepening cooperation in various areas such as defense,
counter-terrorism, joint maritime search, countering transnational crime,
rescue and exercise, and disaster management.
“Joint efforts are needed to safeguard stability in the
South China Sea and make it a sea of peace, friendship, and cooperation,” he
said.
China will donate an additional 150 million doses of
COVID-19 vaccines to ASEAN countries, Xi said, while Beijing will contribute an
additional $5 million to the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund, step up vaccine
joint production and technology transfer, and collaborate on research and
development of essential medicines.
The bilateral trade between China and ASEAN has skyrocketed
by 85 times to $684.6 billion in 2020 from less than $8 billion in 1991, making
the two sides each other’s largest trading partners.
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