INQUIRER.net photo / MAILA AGER
KUNMING CITY, China—China will not interfere with the affairs of other countries despite the establishment of a new cooperation forum with South Asian nations.
Li Jiming, director-general of Yunnan Province’s Foreign Affairs Office, gave this assurance as the 1st China-South Asia Cooperation Forum (CSACF) concluded on Friday.
“China will never dominate or interfere in other countries’ internal affairs,” Li said at a press conference held at the Hilton Yuxi Fuxian Lake in China.
“South Asian countries are China’s traditional friendly neighbors and they share geographical vicinity and cultural affinity with China and we share common wish to develop our economy and improve people’s lives.”
Li made the remark when asked if the forum was China’s way of trying to meddle in other nations’ affairs.
Just like any other country, the official said, China is willing to integrate into “economic globalization and regional economic integration.”
“I think we’re all longing for a peaceful, stable and prosperous world order. It’s in the interest of China, of South Asian countries and it’s in the interest of the whole world,” Li said.
“So either with the forum or with the expo, the intention is to enhance the exchanges and cooperation betwen China and South Asian countries.”
“This doesn’t mean we intend to dominate or interfere with either country’s affairs,” he added.
Aside from the cooperation forum, the 5th China-South Asia Exposition and the 25th China Kunming Import and Export Fair are being held simultaneously since Thursday, June 14.
Li earlier reported to the media that during the forum, participants have agreed to establish a regular forum mechanism that would meet annually at the lakeside of the Fuxian Lake.
He said all parties have agreed to make the CSACF a “new platform for policy dialogue, economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and knowledge-sharing for China and South Asian countries.”
“Key areas for future cooperation have been identified, including inteconnectivity, business, local government, poverty reduction and alleviation, finance and people-to-people exchanges etc.,” said Li.
“The cooperation atmosphere of candid exchange, mutual assistance, and shared development has been created,” he further said. /jpv
READ: China, South Asia to cooperate on interconnectivity, poverty alleviation