After Ukraine, US-led NATO wants to turn Asia Pacific into a new powder keg. Illustration: Carlos Latuff

As China pursues its independent and peaceful diplomacy to boost regional cooperation and stability in the Asia-Pacific, some US media stuck in the Cold War mentality accused China of attempting to establish a "China-centered regional order" in parallel with the US system.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday kicked off a four-day trip to Southeast Asia with a visit to Myanmar before traveling to Thailand to co-chair the ninth Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Foreign Ministers' Meeting, where he has also attended the Informal Discussion Between the Foreign Ministers of China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying on Thursday announced that General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and Vietnamese President To Lam will pay a state visit to China from August 18 to 20.

Regarding China's diplomatic moves,  the Chinese language version of the US media outlet Voice of America (VOA) said in a Friday story that Beijing has unquestionably demonstrated its ambition to operate in Southeast Asia, where it wants to establish a "China-centered" regional order, citing an analyst.

As time passes, China wants to create an order in "parallel to the US," the VOA said in its Chinese version story.  

Before Wang's trip, China and Indonesia held their first Senior Officials' Meeting of the Joint Foreign and Defense Ministerial Dialogue on Tuesday in Jakarta. The US media outlet cited the 2+2 meeting as evidence of China's long-term goal in Southeast Asia of "normalizing defense cooperation." VOA Chinese is also trying to drive a wedge between ASEAN and China by saying Beijing's actions in the South China Sea pose a serious problem to the whole of ASEAN, the analyst said. 

The US media also said Beijing is "playing the economy card", in reference to the ongoing China visit by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka of Fiji, with analysts saying he is seeking economic development assistance from China, while in the longer term, Beijing would like to use Fiji's political position in the South Pacific to increase its overall influence in the region and exclude Western countries.

Li Haidong, a professor from the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times that the US views China as its biggest challenger, so any action from Beijing will naturally be given a competitive and confrontational interpretation by the US, whether it is from media or politicians.

According to American logic, any other region of the world where there is sustained stability and shared prosperity will inevitably be seen by the US as a challenge to its dominance, Li said, noting that the US media's view of China is full of biased arrogance.

Chen Hong, executive director of the Asia Pacific Studies Center at East China Normal University, said that "China is the stabilizer of the Asia-Pacific region, which is why other countries are also willing to cooperate and engage with China."

China's diplomacy is not aimed at pursuing hegemony, but at promoting peace and prosperity. China's mutually beneficial cooperation and normal exchanges with other countries in the Asia-Pacific region should not be stigmatized, Chen said. 

According to Chen, the Asia-Pacific region currently has the most dynamic economy in the world. By fabricating the "China threat" rhetoric, the US aims to hinder the momentum of regional cooperation and development, so as to strengthen its alliances and maintain its hegemony.

The narratives from US media run counter to the intention and logic of China's moves, and even more so to the common aspiration and interests of countries in the Asia-Pacific region, Li said.  

Contributor to prosperity, stability

After the ninth LMC Foreign Ministers' Meeting was held Friday in Chiang Mai, Thailand, joint statements on deepening cooperation on water resources, clean air and combating cross-border crimes were released. 

According to a readout from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Lancang-Mekong countries spoke highly of the positive progress made in the LMC mechanism, and highly appreciated China's support for a large number of practical cooperation projects through the LMC Special Fund, which has greatly narrowed the regional development gap, promoted the ASEAN integration process and brought benefits to people of all countries. 

China and Lancang-Mekong countries agreed to strengthen practical cooperation in connectivity, trade and investment, scientific and technological innovation, food security, energy, water resources, climate change and people-to-people exchanges. 

During the Informal Discussion Between the Foreign Ministers of China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand on Friday, foreign ministers agreed to strengthen cooperation and coordination with intensifying efforts to combat cross-border crimes such as online gambling fraud, drug trafficking, and human trafficking, and jointly maintain regional peace and stability.

Two days ago, Chairman of Myanmar's State Administration Council (SAC) Senior General Min Aung Hlaing thanked China for its constructive role in promoting the peace talks in northern Myanmar, expressing hope that China will continue supporting Myanmar in safeguarding domestic stability and achieving political reconciliation, during his meeting with the visiting Wang Yi in Myanmar. 

During a meeting with Wang Yi on Thursday in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith said the rapid development of cooperation between Laos and China has played a crucial role in Laos' socio-economic development.

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sok Chenda Sophea told Wang Yi on Thursday that China has always been selfless in helping developing countries and has been committed to safeguarding regional peace and stability. Its development will benefit the whole region, including Cambodia, he said.

Ahead of Wang's visit, on August 5, Cambodia began building the China-funded Funan Techo Canal, connecting the Mekong River's Preak Takeo tributary in southern Kandal province to the sea in southwestern Kep province.

China's desire for lasting stability and common prosperity in its neighborhood, as well as in the Asia-Pacific region, is genuine, Li said, noting that China is widely recognized by its neighbors as a contributor and supporting force for regional peace, prosperity and stability.

"China's positive ideas and actions aimed at defusing disputes, tensions, and overcoming power politics are a recipe for dealing with chaos and defusing crises to ensure continued stability," Li said, "while most of the ongoing conflicts and wars in the world are almost all related to the high-intensity intervention of the US and its obsession with maintaining its hegemony."