Minister Wang Yi spoke at the “Global Town Hall 2023” forum, organized online by the East-West Center think tank in Washington, according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China.
Stating that the world goes through rapid changes seen once in a century, “there is the danger of division and confrontation as well as opportunities for unity and cooperation,” Vang called on all countries to “develop cooperation” and “improve global governance” by adhering to “true multilateralism”.
Pointing out that the development and resurrection of Asia should be supported, Vang emphasized that every country should participate in the open regionalism understanding.
Underlining that the countries of the region need joint and comprehensive cooperation and a vision of sustainable security, Vang said, “The efforts of some non-regional powers to undermine peace in the South China Sea will be doomed to failure.” said.
The South China Sea has been the subject of sovereignty disputes since riparian countries gained their independence after the Second World War.
China claims sovereignty over 80 percent of the South China Sea, with the map it first published in 1947. Coastal neighboring countries such as the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, and Malaysia also claim the region.
Sovereignty disputes over islets, reefs, reefs and sea embankments in the region, especially Paracel and Spratly Islands, cause tensions between countries from time to time.
The USA, as well as the countries in the region, oppose China’s construction of military bases on the disputed islands and keeping its fleets of civilian ships for a long time.