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Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng Attends and Addresses the Fourth International Forum on Security and Strategy

2022-03-19 16:50

On March 19, 2022, Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng attended and addressed the Fourth International Forum on Security and Strategy hosted by the Center for International Security and Strategy, Tsinghua University.

Le Yucheng said, speaking of international developments, the crisis in Ukraine is undoubtedly the biggest eye of the storm at the moment. Since the crisis started, China has worked actively to promote dialogue for peace, voicing its support for peace and doing its best for talks. Last night, President Xi Jinping had a video call with U.S. President Joe Biden upon request, pointing out that China always stands for peace and opposes war. China advocates upholding international law and universally recognized norms governing international relations, adheres to the UN Charter and promotes the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security. All sides need to jointly support Russia and Ukraine in having dialogue and negotiation that will produce results and lead to peace. An enduring solution would be for major countries to respect each other, reject the Cold War mentality, refrain from bloc confrontation, and build step by step a balanced, effective and sustainable security architecture for the region and for the world.

Le Yucheng said, the European continent is a key region for world peace. It was marred by two World Wars. Now flames of war are reignited. This is indeed deeply distressing and more importantly, should prompt us to profoundly reflect. The root cause lies in the Cold War mentality and power politics. First, one should not seek its own absolute security. Since NATO made a promise back then, it should not renege on its word and keep pushing its boundary eastward. The pursuit of absolute security actually leads to absolute insecurity. Second, bloc politics and group confrontation should be rejected. Military bloc is a Cold War vestige. With the disintegration of the Soviet Union, NATO should have been consigned to history alongside the Warsaw Pact. However, rather than breaking up, NATO has kept strengthening and expanding. One could well anticipate the consequences going down this path. The crisis in Ukraine is a stern warning. Third, globalization should not be "weaponized". China has all along opposed unilateral sanctions that have neither basis in international law nor mandate of the Security Council. History has shown time and again that instead of solving problems, imposing sanctions is like "putting out fire with firewood" and will only make things worse. Globalization is used as a weapon, and even people from the sports, cultural, art and entertainment communities are not spared. The abuse of sanctions will bring catastrophic consequences for the entire world. Fourth, small countries should not be used as a pawn. Some big countries do not want to get dragged into conflicts and bring harm to themselves, so they turn small countries into their cat's paw and even use them to fight proxy wars. One watches its own arms dealers, bankers and oil tycoons make a fortune out of the war while leaving people of a small country with the wounds of war that would take years to heal. This is highly immoral and irresponsible.

Le Yucheng stressed, the Ukraine crisis provides a mirror for us to observe the situation in the Asia-Pacific. We cannot but ask, how can we prevent a crisis like this from happening in the Asia-Pacific? The Asia-Pacific is an anchor for world peace and stability, an engine for global growth and a new pace-setter in international cooperation. Such a promising situation has not come easily and should be cherished by all sides. The Asia-Pacific now faces two opposite choices: should we build an open and inclusive family for win-win cooperation or go for small blocs based on the Cold War mentality and group confrontation? China's answer can be summed up as four "dos" and four "don'ts":

We must cherish peace and not undermine regional tranquility. The Asia-Pacific has enjoyed overall peace for several decades. This is the result of the joint and dedicated efforts of all countries in the region. No country should pursue its so-called absolute security at the expense of other countries' security. Otherwise, as the proverb goes, "One who tries to blow out other's oil lamp will get his beard on fire." We must respect each other and not wantonly interfere in others' internal affairs. Asian countries have sustained prosperity and stability for half a century. The key lies in the Asian way of mutual respect and consensus building. Every country has the right to pursue a development path chosen by itself. Imposition or interference in others' internal affairs should be rejected, and there is no need for "saviors" or "lecturers". We must promote unity and cooperation and not create division and confrontation. The Asia-Pacific has maintained vibrancy in a fluid and changing world. This is the result of united efforts by all regional countries. Going against the trend to pursue the Indo-Pacific strategy, provoke trouble, put together closed and exclusive small circles or groups, and get the region off course toward fragmentation and bloc-based division is as dangerous as the NATO strategy of eastward expansion in Europe. If allowed to go on unchecked, it would bring unimaginable consequences, and ultimately push the Asia-Pacific over the edge of an abyss. We must pursue independence and self-strength and not let others decide our future. We in Asia must keep the future firmly in our own hands, pursue independent, balanced and prudent foreign policies, and seek strength through unity in the process of Asia-Pacific regional integration.

Le Yucheng said, China stands ready to work with all countries in the Asia-Pacific under the banner of true multilateralism, to promote enduring peace, common development and open regionalism, and jointly open up brighter prospects for the Asia-Pacific community with a shared future.

After the speech, Le Yucheng also answered questions raised by the forum participants.

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