Vice-President Hu Jintao yesterday
delivered a strong message to Washington ahead of his arrival in the
US this weekend - that Beijing will oppose the "big bullying the
small".
Speaking to diplomats and executives in Kuala Lumpur, the man
expected to succeed President Jiang Zemin said Beijing "opposes the
strong lording it over the weak and the big bullying the small, and
has long pledged not to seek hegemony, not to join any military bloc
and not to pursue its own spheres of influence".
He
added: "It is recognised that the major powers in the world all have
some interests in Asia. A peaceful, harmonious and co-operative
relationship among these powers is what Asian countries desire."
Although he did not mention the US by name, his comments came
after the world's sole superpower significantly beefed up its
military presence in Asia in the wake of the September 11 attacks.
While many neighbouring countries appear concerned about the
mainland's growing clout, Beijing is wary of the US presence in the
region.
Southeast Asian leaders - including those in Singapore, Mr Hu's
next stop, and Malaysia - have become increasingly worried about the
steady rise of the mainland economy, which has been drawing jobs and
investment away from the region.
Mr Hu praised Mr Jiang's leadership and assured the region he
remained committed to opening the mainland's economy.
"In the next five years, a more open China will provide its
trading partners with opportunities of at least US$1.5 trillion
[HK$11.7 trillion] worth of goods," he said. China's foreign trade
is currently worth about US$500 billion.
After arriving in Malaysia late on Tuesday, Mr Hu held talks
yesterday with Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and his deputy,
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, and met King Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin. He is
due in Singapore tomorrow before leaving for a week-long US trip on
Saturday. He arrives in Honolulu before travelling to San Francisco,
New York and Washington, where he will meet President George W. Bush
and Vice President Dick Cheney.