China won't seek hegemony, FM tells UN (2)

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China won't seek hegemony, FM tells UN (2)

By ZHANG YUWEI (China Daily) 08:37, September 29, 2013

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Zhu Zhiqun, a professor of political science and international relations at Bucknell University in Pennsylvania, said Wang's remarks reassure the international community that China will continue to focus on development and peace and will not seek hegemony.

"China has been criticized by some for not being responsible as a great power," Zhu said.

"Now the new leadership will demonstrate its confidence, maturity and sense of mission as a big power through more positive involvement in international affairs.

"Its approach to territorial disputes with some neighbors is rational and pragmatic, finding a solution through negotiation and consultation. If no easy solution can be found, then shelve the disputes and focus on joint exploration of the resources near the disputed areas."

Zhu said it is noteworthy that the foreign minister said China will "play a more proactive and constructive role in addressing international and regional hotspot issues".

Wang also called for peaceful solutions through dialogue to nuclear issues in Iran and on the Korean Peninsula, adding that China has been working to promote a peaceful settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue through dialogue.

He pointed out in his speech that this is the 10th year of the Six-Party Talks.

"We hope that parties will create conditions, build consensus, work toward the same goal and resume the talks at an early date," he said.

Wang said China "has played a constructive role in seeking a comprehensive, lasting and appropriate solution to the Iranian nuclear issue so as to uphold the international nonproliferation regime and peace and stability in the Middle East".

"China calls for an immediate end to hostilities and violence in Syria so as to create necessary conditions for the verification and destruction of chemical weapons. We call for the early opening of the Geneva II conference and faster progress in a political resolution of the Syrian issue."

Wang said Beijing does not seek national gains in Syria. It respects the Syrian people's aspirations and choices, and China will continue to assist them, including refugees who have fled the country.

The foreign minister called for "an early launch of intergovernmental negotiations on the post-2015 agenda".

"The post-2015 development agenda should continue to focus on development and poverty elimination; give due consideration to national conditions and stages of development in different countries; and respect their independent choices of development paths," Wang said.

Barry Carin, a senior fellow with the Canada-based Center for International Governance Innovation, however, warned the debate will be very difficult.

"We risk a fuzzy outcome rather than a cogent narrative, including vision and principles, together with a limited number of concrete and time-bound commitments," Carin said.