China hopes for continued peace, stability in Asia Pacific: Premier

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang gives a press conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 15, 2017.[Photo: Xinhua]

Premier Li Keqiang said Wednesday that China hopes to see continued peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

Asia-Pacific is the common home for all countries in this region, and China does not want to see any party feeling compelled to choose sides under the influence of the Cold War mentality, he said at a press conference after the conclusion of the annual legislative session.

"We have always put the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the priority position in China's neighborhood diplomacy," Li said. "We will continue to support ASEAN's community-building efforts and its centrality in regional cooperation."

China hopes that the Asia-Pacific region will be one that enjoys good order and stability, a region that is able to work out issues through consultation and principles, properly manage differences and has the wisdom to resolve differences, Li said.

China and ASEAN have been pushing forward consultation on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, and substantial progress has been made in this regard, he said.

"We hope to see continued peace and stability in the South China Sea, and we believe that specific disputes should be addressed and resolved through dialogue among the parties directly concerned," Li said. "All countries in this region should work together for peace, stability and development."

The premier said China and the United States have been cooperating with each other for a long time in the Asia-Pacific region, and there is a wide area of common interests and cooperation between the two countries.

"For example, many U.S. multinationals place their Asia-Pacific headquarters in China," Li said.

He hopes the areas of cooperation between the two countries will continue to expand.