Chinese minister says rise of Asia signals 'greater balance in international power structure'

Philadelphia Herald (ANI) Sunday 5th February, 2012

China's Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Zhijun has said that the rise of Asia represents greater balance in the international power structure.

Zhijun, during his speech at the Munich Security Conference, said that the rise of Asia has picked up speed since the beginning of the 21st century and Asia remains a bright spot and a big plus for the world against a backdrop of sluggish recovery of the world economy and frequent regional turbulence.

"The modernization of billions of people in Asia will create a bigger market and more job opportunities for the world," Xinhua quoted Zhijun, as saying.

Zhijun said that countries outside Asia should fully respect the will of the Asian people and follow the development trend in Asia.

He also pointed out that any move to deliberately highlight the military and security agenda, create tension and strengthen military presence or military alliance runs counter to the trend of our times and people's will in Asia.

Zhijun called on countries outside Asia to respect the characteristics of Asia and the Asian people's way of action, stressing that Asia does not export development models or ideologies, nor does it want to see others impose their will on Asia.

With regard to the Euro-Asian ties, Zhijun pointed out there were immense scope and potentials for Asia-Europe cooperation lying ahead.

"China has been supporting the European Union's efforts to address its debt problems and hopes the two sides can further enhance mutual understanding and trust and deepen mutually-beneficial cooperation," he said.

"China sees the future of its development in the common development of Asia. China does not seek a sphere of influence. The country does not intend to build an exclusive regional order and is not capable of doing so," he added. (ANI)