Chinese Foreign Ministry slams Quad for creating regional tensions

The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Monday slammed countries of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) for creating tensions in the Asia-Pacific region.

Spokesperson Lin Jian said the United States, Japan, Australia and India claim to build a "free and open Indo-Pacific," but they are actually manufacturing tensions, inciting antagonism and confrontation, and curbing the development of other countries. That runs counter to the trend of seeking peace, development, cooperation and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and will by no means gain any support, Lin told a regular press briefing.

China believes that cooperation between countries as well as regional initiatives should be conducive to peace, stability and prosperity in the region, rather than focused on forming exclusive clubs that undermine trust and cooperation among regional countries, he said.

The spokesperson's remarks came in response to foreign ministers of the Quad countries expressing their "concerns" over the East and South China Seas situation on Monday.

China firmly upholds its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests and is committed to properly settling bilateral maritime issues with countries directly concerned through dialogue and consultation, said Lin.

"Some countries outside the region have frequently sent advanced military aircraft and vessels to the South China Sea to flex their muscles and create tension, and have formed various groupings and incited division and confrontation in the region, all of which make them the biggest threat and challenge to regional peace and stability," he said.

China firmly opposes the bloc confrontation they incite in the name of "anti-coercion," and the imposition of their house rules in the name of maintaining order, said Lin.

The Chinese side calls on countries outside the region to earnestly respect the effort of regional countries for peace and stability, and stop fanning flames and fueling tensions in the region, said the spokesperson.