Top Chinese Diplomat Warns Asia of Rising Tensions
Beijing—At a wide-ranging press conference on Friday, March 7, 2025, during the National People’s Congress, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi addressed critical geopolitical issues. These ranged from maritime disputes in the South China Sea to cross-border crime and escalating tensions with the United States and Japan. His statements revealed China’s foreign policy priorities and its increasingly assertive global stance.
Wang Yi described the South China Sea tensions as a “shadow play” orchestrated by external forces, implicitly referring to the United States. He accused these actors of manipulating the Philippines and using media narratives to smear China. While acknowledging clashes with the Philippines over contested islands and fishing grounds, Wang reiterated China’s claim to the vast majority of the South China Sea. He warned against further “infringement and provocation,” promising to defend China’s sovereignty and maritime rights while offering “humanitarian” considerations in specific situations.
Regarding cross-border crime, the Foreign Minister highlighted China’s collaboration with neighboring countries to dismantle cyber fraud operations in northern Myanmar. He declared the eradication of all known “cyber fraud parks” near the border, achieved through joint operations with Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos. This crackdown targets sophisticated criminal gangs that coerce or lure Chinese nationals into these compounds to participate in scams targeting individuals in China and globally. Wang emphasized the ongoing commitment to eradicating this “cancer” of online fraud, acknowledging the persistent challenge posed by these agile criminal networks.
Addressing historical grievances and contemporary tensions, Wang Yi invoked the approaching 80th anniversary of the end of World War II to criticize Japan’s wartime aggression and its alleged lack of reflection on past mistakes. He linked this historical context to Taiwan, warning Japan against supporting the self-governing island, which China claims as its own. Wang suggested that any actions by Taiwan that “cause trouble” would create problems for Japan, escalating the rhetoric surrounding their already strained relationship. He also reiterated China’s claims to islands in the East China Sea controlled by Japan, foreshadowing continued maritime and aerial maneuvers in the disputed area. These actions directly challenge the authority of the U. S. and its regional allies.
Finally, Wang Yi contrasted China’s role as a “center of stability” and “engine of economic development” in Asia with what he perceived as destabilizing U. S. actions, including the deployment of intermediate-range missiles. He criticized the U. S. for “stirring up trouble and creating divisions” and advocated for “open regionalism” based on mutual respect and benefit. Wang cautioned against a world order dominated by national self-interest and the pursuit of strength, warning of a return to a “law of the jungle.” This statement reflects the growing competition between China and the U. S., particularly in the South Pacific, where China’s diplomatic and economic initiatives compete with the established presence of the U. S., Australia, and New Zealand. This competition underscores the broader geopolitical struggle in the region, with smaller island nations becoming key players in this evolving power dynamic.
