China says Quad maritime monitoring plan risks undermining regional trust

China on Tuesday criticized the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or Quad, after the foreign ministers of Australia, India, Japan and the United States announced new initiatives on maritime security, port infrastructure and energy.

Speaking at a regular press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said cooperation between countries should contribute to regional peace, stability, and prosperity and "should not target any third party."

"We do not support the creation of exclusive 'small circles' or bloc confrontation," Mao said in response to a question about a new maritime monitoring initiative launched by the four countries in the so-called Indo-Pacific region. "Any cooperation should not undermine mutual trust and cooperation among regional countries," she said.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Tuesday a new "Indo-Pacific" maritime surveillance initiative to integrate the four countries' surveillance capabilities and strengthen real-time information sharing across the region, AP reported.

Rubio also said the Quad would work with Fiji to upgrade port infrastructure in the Pacific islands, marking its first joint regional infrastructure project.