Asia-Pacific countries must increase ASEAN cooperation to promote peace

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday called on countries in the region to strengthen the ASEAN-centered cooperation and jointly safeguard peace, stability and development of the Asia-Pacific region.

He made the remarks at the 29th ASEAN Regional Forum Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Cambodian capital Phnom Penh.

Faced with a raft of global challenges, such as the pandemic and the resurgence of the Cold War mentality, Wang proposed at the meeting that countries should observe the United Nations Charter and the international law, accommodate all parties' interests and promote common security.

Countries should adhere to the international order based on the international law rather than impose the so-called rules of a certain country or bloc on others and then coerce other countries to pick sides, Wang said.

He called for countries to provide more global public goods and respect other countries' appeal for development when pursuing their own interests.

Wang said countries should promote the common progress of the region when realizing its own development. "China opposes certain countries to wantonly push for unilateralism and would never accept illegitimate acts of sanctions and suppression."

He urged countries to attach importance to and respect other countries' reasonable security concerns, to jointly uphold peace and stability in the region and achieve true security.

Wang welcomed parties to join China's Global Security Initiative; practice the common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security; and resolve differences through dialogue and consultation.