Beijing: China said that it was firmly opposed to the Quad alliance consisting of the US, India, Australia and Japan as it asked Washington to refrain from making “troubles out of nothing” and do more to contribute to regional peace and stability. Senior Colonel Ren Guoqiang, a spokesperson for China’s ministry of national defence, made the remarks at an online media briefing when asked about the recent Quad summit and reported statement by US national security advisor Jake Sullivan stating that Quad leaders discussed the “challenges” posed by China and they had no illusions about it. US President Biden, who hosted the First Quad Leaders’ Summit, told leaders of the coalition that a “free and open” Indo-Pacific is essential to their countries and that his country was committed to working with its partners and allies in the region to achieve stability.
China firmly opposed the “four-side mechanism” promoted by the US as it adheres to the Cold War mentality, Ren said. He said that the Quad mechanism believes in group confrontation, is keen on geopolitical games, and uses the so-called “China challenge” as an excuse to “form cliques” and openly provoke relations between regional countries. “We are firmly opposed to this,” he added. “China is committed to building world peace, contributing to global development and upholding the international order. We urge the US to shoulder its responsibilities, refrain from making troubles out of nothing and do more for regional peace and stability,” he said.
Resolution on US partnerships in Indo-Pacific
Meanwhile, the US’s Senate Foreign Relations Committee passed a resolution reaffirming the importance of America’s alliances and partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region. The US values other partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region, including with India, Singapore, Indonesia, Taiwan, New Zealand, and Vietnam, said the resolution introduced by Senators Robert Menendez and Jim Risch. It reaffirms the enduring commitment of the US to treaty allies in the Indo-Pacific region and Nato, as well as to other partners, including its treaty obligations for mutual defence. It now moves to Senate floor.
