Asia ready for leading role in global governance

As Asia's time has come in global governance, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday called for the world to heed more calls from Asia, respect Asian positions, and learn from Asian wisdom.

He made the remarks in a video meeting with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, saying Cambodia, being the rotating chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, would play a unique and constructive role in this regard.

When faced with choices of the times, namely unity or division, cooperation or confrontation, Wang said that the international community hoped for Asia to play a leading role.

Confronting various new global challenges, Wang said China has put forward the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security initiative, which has contributed to China's approach to advancing building a more just and reasonable global governance system and won extensive support and response from the international community, especially Asian countries.

From June, China, Cambodia, Indonesia and Thailand will host the BRICS Summit, series of leaders' meetings on East Asia cooperation, G20 Summit, and APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, respectively.

China will work with Cambodia, Indonesia and Thailand to jointly send out the strong voice of the era being committed to peace and development and release a positive signal of upholding multilateralism, Wang said.

China is ready to inject more stable expectations into the region and the world, and add to Asia's contribution to address global challenges together with the three countries, Wang added.

A joint statement was issued by Cambodia, Indonesia and Thailand on Wednesday, which Wang said emphasizes that the international community should enhance solidarity in response to challenges and pursue open and inclusive development.

The joint statement conforms to the shared will of all countries in the world to oppose the bloc confrontation and jointly promote stability and prosperity, and reflects the clear resolve to resist external interference and maintain strategic independence, Wang said.

It also demonstrates the firm confidence in advancing regional and multilateral cooperation, Wang added.

Noting Asia is home to countries, including China and Cambodia, that are developing and thriving, Wang underlined that countries in the region should jointly guard against and reject the Cold War mentality.

He warned that introducing the Cold War mentality into the region to incite and create bloc confrontation would destroy the regional peace and development that have been in place for many years.

China is delighted to see countries outside the region play a positive and constructive role in the peaceful development of the region, Wang said, while stressing that it would not accept any actions that damage the peace and stability of Asia, or undermine the unity and cooperation of the region.

Wang believed countries in the region can uphold independent positions and proceed from the overall situation of peace and stability of Asia to safeguard the unity of ASEAN member states and the common interests of countries in the region, including China.

In response, Sokhonn said the peaceful rise of China will make new contributions to regional long-lasting peace and common development.

Saying GDI and the GSI had great significance, particularly in the current situation, he said Cambodia will strengthen close cooperation with China in this respect.

ASEAN will uphold unity and centrality as well as stability and development in the region, he added.