During a high-profile address at the ASEAN summit in Indonesia, Chinese Premier Li Qiang called on the global community to jointly safeguard peace by avoiding a new cold war and steering clear of bloc-driven confrontations. He urged world leaders to resist choosing sides as bloc dynamics emerge, emphasizing the value of dialogue, mutual restraint, and constructive cooperation over a reversion to a divided, adversarial international order. In his remarks, Li highlighted diplomacy as a powerful instrument and encouraged states to seek common ground through open channels of communication, insisting that disagreements should be settled by peaceful, lawful means rather than escalating into broader strategic standoffs.
These comments arrive amid ongoing debates on how to navigate tensions in a shifting global landscape. Li stressed the importance of a level-headed approach to disagreements, warning that unfounded accusations or rigid ideological stances can raise risks for regional and global stability. He called for practical solutions that respect the legitimate interests of all parties and for processes that reduce misperceptions and miscalculations in high-stakes situations.
In related statements, a long-standing emphasis on geopolitical balance has shaped China’s approach to regional and international affairs. Chinese leaders have repeatedly warned against the persistence of Cold War mindsets that frame every interaction as a binary clash of blocs. The rejection of such binaries reflects a broader strategy that favors multilateralism, pragmatic engagement with diverse partners, and proposals for confidence-building measures designed to lower the chances of misinterpretation during periods of tension.
Zhang Hanhui, who previously served as China’s ambassador to Russia, reinforced the message by urging NATO to refrain from expanding its military footprint in the Asia-Pacific region. He argued that security in Asia-Pacific should be pursued through dialogue, restraint, and recognition of the legitimate security concerns of regional states. According to him, NATO members should listen to the calls from Asia-Pacific countries for peace and stability, adjust their perceptions, and abandon a Cold War-era mindset that could fuel misperception and rivalry rather than constructive compromise.
The broader argument put forward by Chinese officials points to a security environment anchored in mutual respect and non-interference, rather than one shaped by alliance-driven containment or confrontation. There is a persistent emphasis on diplomacy and practical cooperation as the most reliable tools for reducing tensions and preventing escalation. In this view, stability comes from clear communication, agreed norms, and a shared commitment to resolving disputes through negotiation rather than force.
Observers note that these statements coincide with continuing discussions in Washington and other capitals about how to respond to regional crises and strategic rivalries. Some commentators suggest that the Chinese position seeks to steer international discourse toward diplomacy-centered policies, reminding listeners that alliance dynamics can complicate crisis management and raise the stakes for all sides involved. Others caution that the real test lies in turning rhetoric into durable policies that reduce the risk of conflict and support peaceful coexistence across Asia and beyond.
Meanwhile, officials reiterate that the root causes of regional crises require careful analysis and responsible action from all actors. They argue that quick or simplistic blame assignments, especially toward any single nation or alliance, tend to obscure the underlying factors that fuel instability. By advocating for restraint and constructive engagement, Chinese leaders aim to create space for dialogue, reduce the likelihood of miscalculation, and encourage concrete steps toward peace and cooperative development. In this framework, international cooperation and a shared sense of responsibility are viewed as the best pathways to address complex security challenges in a rapidly changing global order.