South China Sea: US alliances mar peace and stability, Beijing’s envoy tells Asean

Beijing’s ambassador to Asean tells forum Western narrative of ‘Ukraine today, East Asia tomorrow’ increases conflict risk in region

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China’s ambassador to Asean Hou Yanqi has told a forum in Hong Kong the South China Sea is not an issue between China and the Asean nations. Photo: Handout

Published: 6:00pm, 28 Nov 2024Updated: 1:44pm, 29 Nov 2024

China’s top envoy to Southeast Asia took a veiled swipe at US-led alliances in the Asia-Pacific, calling them ideology-based undermining of “peace and stability” in the South China Sea and East Asia regions.

Hou Yanqi, China’s ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, referred to “Cold War mentality and geopolitical confrontation between major powers” on Thursday during a speech at the Asean-China Forum in Hong Kong.

“Certain countries [started] the implementation of [the] so-called Indo-Pacific strategy … This should threaten regional peace and stability,” Hou said.

“Some countries also formed exclusive, small circles, like Quad and Aukus, based on ideology,” she said, adding that these alliances had intensified regional confrontation and rivalries.

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History, money and military: why the South China Sea is so important to Beijing

She said these unnamed countries had tried to introduce the narrative of “Ukraine today, East Asia tomorrow” and create “an Asia-Pacific version of Nato” which, along with other Western strategies, were increasing the risk of regional conflict.