China News Agency, Beijing, March 19. Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng attended the 4th International Forum on Strategy and Security held by the Center for Strategic and Security Studies of Tsinghua University on the 19th and delivered a speech.
Le Yucheng said that the biggest storm in the current international situation is undoubtedly the Ukraine crisis.
Since the outbreak of the crisis, China has been actively promoting peace talks, speaking out for peace, and doing its best for peace talks.
On the evening of the 18th, President Xi Jinping had a video call with US President Joe Biden, pointing out that China has always advocated peace and opposed war; advocated the maintenance of international law and the universally recognized basic norms of international relations, insisted on acting in accordance with the United Nations Charter, and advocated common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable. To maintain a sustainable security concept, all parties should jointly support Russia-Ukraine dialogue and negotiation, negotiate results and negotiate peace.
The long-term solution lies in mutual respect among major powers, abandoning the Cold War mentality, not engaging in camp confrontation, and gradually building a balanced, effective and sustainable global and regional security architecture.
Le Yucheng said that the European continent is a key region that determines world peace. It has been devastated by two world wars, and now the war has reignited, which makes us deeply regret and should prompt us to reflect deeply.
Going back to the source, the root is still Cold War mentality and power politics.
First, unilateral absolute security cannot be pursued.
Since NATO made a commitment back then, it should not go back on its promises and continue to expand eastward.
The pursuit of absolute security is precisely the absolute insecurity.
Second, we cannot engage in group politics and camp confrontation.
The military bloc is a remnant of the Cold War, and with the disintegration of the Soviet Union, NATO and the Warsaw Pact should have entered history at the same time.
However, instead of disbanding, NATO has continued to strengthen and expand. The result of this can be imagined. The Ukraine crisis is a warning.
Third, globalization cannot be "weaponized".
China has always opposed unilateral sanctions that lack the basis of international law and are not authorized by the Security Council.
Historical experience has proven time and again that sanctions cannot solve problems.
Using globalization as a weapon, even people in sports, culture, arts and entertainment, the abuse of sanctions will have disastrous consequences for the entire world.
Fourth, small countries cannot be used as gunmen.
Afraid of being involved in conflicts and causing harm to themselves, big countries put small countries in the front as "pawns", and even use them to fight proxy wars, while allowing their arms dealers, bankers, and oil tycoons to make a lot of money, while letting them make money. It is extremely immoral and irresponsible for the people of a small country to endure the wounds of war that have been difficult to heal for many years.
Le Yucheng emphasized that the Ukraine crisis has provided us with a mirror to view the situation in the Asia-Pacific, prompting us to think, how can the Asia-Pacific avoid repeating the same mistakes as the Ukraine crisis?
The Asia-Pacific is an anchor of peace and stability, a pole of development and growth, and a new highland for cooperation. The good situation is hard-won and worthy of all parties to cherish.
At present, the Asia-Pacific is faced with two completely different choices: to build a big family of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, or to pursue a Cold War mentality and engage in a small circle of camp confrontation?
China's answer is "four musts and four nos": to cherish peace and not to undermine regional peace.
Respect each other and refrain from grossly interfering in internal affairs.
To unite and cooperate, not to create division and confrontation.
Be self-reliant and don't let others dictate your own destiny.
Le Yucheng expressed that China is willing to work with Asia-Pacific countries, unite under the banner of genuine multilateralism, commit to lasting peace, common development, adhere to open regionalism, and join hands to create a brighter future for the Asia-Pacific community with a shared future.
After the speech, Le Yucheng also answered relevant questions raised by the forum participants.
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