During this year's APEC meeting, talks between China and Russia have shown that the two countries want to have a conjunction point that will have complex and far-reaching effects on the future geopolitical and geo-economic situations of Northeast Asia and East Asia.
APEC is mainly a forum for discussions on global trade liberalization, rather than a place to solve the various territorial and border disputes that are taking place among countries in the region. Also at the event, Hu met with APEC leaders from Vietnam, Indonesia, Brunei and Japan and discussed various matters of controversy.
Speaking to Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, Hu said China-Japan relations have recently taken a turn for the worse over the Diaoyu Islands issue; China holds a consistent, clear stance on the issue: Whatever means Japan tries to use to "buy the islands" will be illegal and invalid and China is firmly opposed to such a purchase. The Chinese government is firm in its commitment to protect its territorial sovereignty; Japan must fully recognize the gravity of this situation and avoid any wrong steps. He called on Japan to work with China to develop the two countries' relations.
And while meeting with Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang, Hu acknowledged that relations between China and Vietnam have also been strained by territorial disputes in the South China Sea, an outcome that China has wanted to avoid. Hu said the countries should put into effect the agreement reached at the consultation and avoid acting in ways that might aggravate, complicate or internationalize the disputes. Both countries should try to prevent the South China Sea issue from affecting East Asia cooperation and regional stability.
During meetings with leaders from Indonesia and Brunei, Hu said the South China Sea issue is a chronic headache and all the countries involved in it believe it will be in their common interest to properly deal with the issue through talks and consultations. China is ready to work with ASEAN countries to put into effect the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, advance practical cooperation and maintain peace and stability in the region.
APEC, though, has not yet achieved full and effective operation. For the foreseeable future, APEC will still find it difficult to perform a large number of functions, especially those related to security.
