As countries in the Asia-Pacific region, China and the United States can “have common friends,” China said on Friday.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Zhao Lijian made the remarks at Friday’s regular press conference in response to a US $150 million development package for Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries.
China and ASEAN do not engage in zero-sum games or promote confrontation between blocs, the ministry spokesperson said.
“As countries in the Asia-Pacific region, China and the United States can have common friends,” Zhao said.
China welcomed any cooperation initiative that contributed to the long-term sustainable development and common prosperity of the region, Zhao said.
“The key is to listen to the aspirations of Asia-Pacific countries to maintain peace, deepen cooperation and seek common development, and adhere to the principle of mutual respect and win-win cooperation,” he said.
(Compiled by Meng Gaohan; Video edited by Li Peitian)