China urges Asian countries to avoid bolstering military alliances with US

Chinese president Xi Jinping has proposed a new framework for security cooperation in Asia and a new structure for regional partnerships, urging its neighbours to refrain from bolstering military alliances with the US.

Xi asked Asian countries to deter from strengthening military alliances with "third party" powers and said that disputes within the region should be resolved by Asians themselves.

Xi indirectly sent a warning to Washington at a regional security forum in Shanghai saying that to beef up a military alliance targeting a "third party" is not conducive to regional common security.

Addressing participants at the fourth Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia, that provocation and escalation of tensions for selfish interests should be opposed.

According to China Daily, Xi urged Washington to get used to China's rise and take a proper role in the region, which is the world's economic engine but is also prone to security threats.

The Chinese president's remarks come as the US plans to bolster its presence in Asia amid recent escalating tension in the South China Sea.

Xi spoke against a zero-sum, Cold War concept of security, saying no country should attempt to dominate regional security affairs or infringe upon the legitimate rights and interests of other countries, the report added.