Jakarta: Premier Li Qiang of China has urged major powers to effectively manage their differences and prevent the onset of what he referred to as a "new Cold War." These remarks were made as top Asian and US officials gathered in Jakarta, Indonesia for discussions. China has expressed concerns about the formation of US-backed blocs in its vicinity, alongside ongoing regional disputes, notably in the South China Sea.

Addressing an ASEAN-plus-three meeting with Japan and South Korea, Premier Li highlighted the potential for disagreements and disputes arising between countries due to misperceptions, divergent interests, or external interferences. He emphasized the importance of opposing the alignment of sides, bloc confrontations, and the emergence of a new Cold War to effectively manage these tensions.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), consisting of ten member states, is conducting separate summits with key players such as China, Japan, South Korea, the United States, and Canada. US Vice President Kamala Harris attended on behalf of President Joe Biden, while Premier Li represented President Xi Jinping. These meetings come ahead of the East Asia Summit, involving 18 nations, scheduled for Thursday, and the forthcoming G20 summit in New Delhi.

This call by Premier Li underscores the evolving geopolitical landscape in Asia, with nations increasingly wary of the growing influence and strategic alignments in the region. Tensions surrounding issues like the South China Sea and North Korea are likely to be on the agenda during these high-level discussions.

President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea used this platform to voice opposition to any cooperation with North Korea, a topic that resonated amid reports of arms talks between North Korea and Russia. Meanwhile, the dispute between Japan and China over the release of treated wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear plant was also raised, although discussions remained cordial.

These summits provide an arena for major powers to court ASEAN and allow rivalries to play out, reflecting the complexities and challenges of the current global order.