China won't seek dominance, Xi Jinping tells Asean leaders

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday said his country will not seek dominance over Southeast Asia or bully its smaller neighbors, amid ongoing friction over the South China Sea. Xi made the remarks during a virtual conference with the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, held to mark the 30th anniversary of relations between China and the grouping. "China resolutely opposes hegemonism and power politics, wishes to maintain friendly relations with its neighbors and jointly nurture lasting peace in the region and absolutely will not seek hegemony or even less, bully the small," Xi said,

“China was, is, and will always be a good neighbour, a good friend, and a good partner of Asean,” Xi said. The group comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Xi said: “We need to pursue dialogue instead of confrontation, build partnerships instead of alliances. China firmly opposes hegemonism and power politics.  Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte struck an angry note at the regional summit when he said that he “abhors” a recent altercation with Chinese ships in the South China Sea (SCS) and said the rule of law was the only way out of problems. Duterte was referring to the actions of three Chinese coast guard vessels that is said to have blocked and used water cannon on resupply boats headed towards a Philippine-occupied atoll in the sea. The summit was held without a representative from Myanmar, Military ruler Gen. Min Aung Hlaing was also barred from representing his country at the last ASEAN summit.