China will not seek dominance over Southeast Asia or bully neighbours: Xi

TIL Desk/World/Beijing/ Chinese leader Xi Jinping says his country will not seek dominance over Southeast Asia or bully its smaller neighbours, amid ongoing friction over the South China Sea. Xi made the remarks Monday during a virtual conference with the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN, marking the 30th anniversary of relations between the sides.

China resolutely opposes hegemonism and power politics, wishes to maintain friendly relations with its neighbours and jointly nurture lasting peace in the region and absolutely will not seek hegemony or even less, bully the small,” Xi said, according to reports.

China has repeatedly sought to overcome concerns about its rising power and influence, particularly its claim to virtually the entire South China Sea that overlaps with the claims of ASEAN members Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei and the Philippines.

Xi’s remarks came days after Chinese coast guard ships blocked and sprayed a powerful stream of water at two Philippine boats carrying supplies to troops at a disputed South China Sea shoal.