China says will not accept actions undermining peace, security in SE Asia

By Islamuddin Sajid

ISLAMABAD (AA) - China on Tuesday warned that it would not accept any action that undermine peace and security in the region.

China is aware that the US has met with challenges "from various sides" to its intentions in hosting a special two-day summit with member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) later this week, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lijian Zhao said in a regular press briefing.

The state-run daily Global Times quoted Zhao as saying that Beijing "welcomes countries outside the region playing a positive role" in promoting peace and development.

However, it "does not accept any action that undermines" peace and stability, he added.

The ASEAN-US Special Summit is scheduled to begin on Thursday in Washington DC.

On Tuesday, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, the current chair of ASEAN, departed for Washington to attend and co-chair the summit.

An official statement from Sen's office said he had embarked on a visit at the invitation of President Joe Biden.

"ASEAN Leaders will also be meeting with American business leaders to discuss economic cooperation. ASEAN Leaders will be meeting with H.E. Vice President Ms. Kamala Harris and U.S. Cabinet Secretaries on issues related to climate action, clean energy and sustainable infrastructure," it said.

Leaders of ASEAN countries are expected to meet with Biden, Harris, and other officials during their stay in Washington.