China warns against 'new Cold War' at ASEAN summit

Amid rising geopolitical rivalries across the Indo-Pacific region, the Chinese envoy to the annual summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has urged countries to avoid a situation resembling "a new Cold War" when handling differences and disputes.

The Chinese Premier Minister, Li Qiang, representing the republic at the summit in Indonesia in lieu of President Xi Jinping, emphasized in his speech the importance of avoiding "a new Cold War" when dealing with conflicts between countries amid sharpening geopolitical rivalries across the Indo-Pacific region, as reported by Reuters.

"At present, it is very important to oppose taking sides, bloc confrontation and a new Cold War", Li told the meeting.

Within the framework of the bloc's summit, wider talks with partner countries will be held, including Japan, South Korea, Australia, India and the US, who is being represented by Vice President Kamala Harris in Jakarta.