‘Indo-Pacific different from India, ASEAN perspective’

KV Prasad

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 1

Amid a continuous discourse over the contours of the Indo-Pacific region and variance in interpretation of its trajectory, a ranking Chinese diplomat today cautioned against being drawn in the vortex of countries that have their own strategic interests.

While claiming the Indo-Pacific region should be free and open, Ambassador Yang Yanyi said her impression is that the US and some other countries have laid stronger emphasis on the military and defence aspect. She agreed with views of India and ASEAN that Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean Region should be seen as closely integrated and inter-connected region and not as a contiguous territorial space.

“The rhetoric and narrative to my ears have been quite confrontational. I would like to concur with some views expressed by ASEAN and by India that Asia Pacific and Indian Ocean region should not be viewed as contiguous, territorial spaces, but as a closely integrated and inter-connected region. Also, this is a region of dialogue and cooperation, rather than rivalry and confrontation,” Yang, currently member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the 13th Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, said during an interaction with the Indian Association of Foreign Affairs Correspondents.

Leading a delegation to interact with think-tanks in India, Yang said: “Such an attempt of deepening mistrust, miscalculation and patterns of behaviour based on zero sum game should be guarded against.”

“Regional cooperation should focus on poverty alleviation, connectivity, sustainable development goals, trade and investment, people-to-people exchanges and creating enabling environment for it,” she said, adding that any regional initiative needs to be open, inclusive, rules-based, guided by the principles of respect, sovereignty, non-interference, mutual benefit and trust.

On the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor that India objects to and principal reason why New Delhi is not part of the Belt and Road Initiative, she said: “Beijing views it as historical legacy that India and Pakistan should resolve through talks. For China, relations with Pakistan are based on its foreign policy of cooperation with neighbours and not directed against any third country.”

Referring to Chinese telecom Huawei and its attempt to enter 5G trials in India, Yang said she believed the Indian government would act or make decision independently and in best interest of the country.

‘it’s not a region for confrontation’

Asia Pacific and Indian Ocean region should not be viewed as contiguous, territorial spaces, but as a closely integrated and inter-connected region... this is a region of dialogue and cooperation, rather than rivalry and confrontation. — Yang Yanyi, Chinese envoy