Beijing asks regional organizations to stay out of its internal affairs

At a high-level United Nations meeting, Beijing sent an determined signal to regional organizations by asking them to refrain from "interfering in the internal affairs of other countries" or "stoking ideological confrontation".

The alert was voiced by Wang Yi, special representative of President Xi Jinping, who is a State councilor and foreign minister, when attending via video link a high-level open debate of the UN Security Council on Monday night.

Gathering prominent figures, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, those at the online meeting discussed strengthening cooperation between the UN and regional and subregional organizations.

In his speech, Wang stressed that regional organizations "should conduct peace operations in accordance with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter", and they in particular should respect national sovereignty and territorial integrity and prevent interference in the internal affairs of other countries.

The regional bodies should strive to resolve disputes peacefully and should not use force or the threat of force. They should refrain from arbitrary, unilateral moves and safeguard the central role of the UN Security Council as an international collective security mechanism.

Regional organizations should adhere to openness and inclusiveness, refrain from engaging in geopolitics and group politics, as well as stoking ideological confrontation, Wang said.

"Only in this way can the actions of regional organizations stand and move steadily," he added.