China paper warns US against stirring Asian tensions

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. AFP FILE PHOTO

BEIJING – An influential Chinese state newspaper on Wednesday warned Washington against stirring up trouble between China and its neighbors, as the US Secretary of State met leaders in Beijing.

The commentary in the overseas edition of the People’s Daily coincided with an official visit to China by Hillary Clinton, as the United States seeks to make progress on bitter territorial disputes across the region.

“Sowing discord amongst China’s neighbors will not benefit the United States,” said the paper, which is seen as the mouthpiece of China’s ruling Communist party, calling such a strategy a “counterproductive waste.”

“China and its neighbors have benefited from China’s support of a peaceful order in the Asia-Pacific region. America can’t be blamed for feeling jealous and readjusting its Asia-Pacific policy,” said the paper.

“If American foreign policy damages China’s core interests, that can only lead to China hitting back strongly. The United States should not be surprised by that.”

President Barack Obama’s administration has stepped up military ties with Southeast Asia, adding to Chinese suspicions that the United States is attempting to contain China, and limit its increasing influence in Asia.

However, the two global powers struck a conciliatory note Wednesday, with Clinton stressing the “strong and solid base” for their relationship during her meeting with China’s President Hu Jintao.