China urges ASEAN Regional Forum to exit from Cold War mentality

By Pankaj Choudhary

Manila, Aug 2 (ANI): Playing its “Big Brother” role at the 14th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) that began here today, China urged member nations to come out of their “Cold War mentality” saying that it was undermining efforts to build mutual trust and uncertainty in regional security.

“We should respect and treat each other as equals,” Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi sermonised adding that small, weak and poor countries have invariably become victims of the “Cold War mentality”.

Jiechi advised that countries should recognise and respect differences in ideologies, values, social systems and developments.

China, which is economically advance, cautioned the Asia-Pacific region about the growing challenges in their efforts to uphold their security in economy, trade, finance, industries, technology, information and culture fields.

Emphasizing the need for new thinking on security, Jiechi called for security based on “diversity and common interests” of the Asia-Pacific, which conform to the will of the people and trend of the times, and serves peace development, progress and prosperity in the region.

China also took credit for making an effort to advance the six-party talks on the Korean nuclear issue which has achieved the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula and lasting peace in Northeast Asia.

Earlier, the ARF meeting began here today by expressing concern over the South Korean hostage crisis in Afghanistan, and called for the release of 21 South Koreans held by the Taliban.

Pointing out that global terrorism posed a serious threat to all nations, the participating countries called for greater counter-terrorism cooperation between ASEAN and its ten dialogue partners.

Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama specifically mentioned Al-Qaeda and LTTE as a major threat to mankind.

Among other issues which are being discussed at the ARF are climate change, energy security and inter-cultural dialogues.

The ARF consists of 26 countries, including 10 countries of ASEAN -Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. (ANI)

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