China warns against NATO-like alliances in Asia-Pacific | News

Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu warned on Sunday against establishing "NATO-like" military alliances in the Asia-Pacific region, saying they would plunge the region into a "whirlpool" of conflict.

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"In essence, attempts to push NATO-like (alliances) in the Asia-Pacific are a way to hijack countries and exaggerate conflicts and confrontations, which will only plunge the Asia-Pacific into a whirlwind of disputes and conflicts," he said. Li.

Li said that the Cold War mentality was resurfacing in the Asia-Pacific region, although his country seeks dialogue rather than confrontation.

The Chinese minister participated in the annual Asia-Pacific intergovernmental security conference, held in Singapore and known as the Shangri-La Dialogue.

Li said that countries in the region have to promote their common interests and resist hegemony.

"Mutual respect must take precedence over bullying and hegemony. Facts have shown that where there is hegemony and power politics there will be instability, chaos and even.

"Some states brazenly poke their noses into the internal affairs of other countries and regions. Every time they unilaterally impose sanctions and threaten weapons, they stage color revolutions and proxy wars.

In his view, international affairs should be resolved through dialogue, and "not be dictated by one or a few countries" that like to impose their rules on others under the pretext of "rules-based international order."

"Your so-called rules-based international order never explains what the rules are or who has set them," he said, noting that it is the practice of exceptionalism and double standards that "only serves the interests and follows the rules of a small number of countries".

On the other hand, he assured this Saturday at a security forum in Singapore that his country "does not promise to give up force" to take Taiwan, amid new tensions with the US over the island.

Before the summit, China's Defense Minister met with his Singaporean counterpart Ng Eng Hen, and the two pledged to strengthen defense cooperation.