China will not bully small nations: Xi Jinping to Asean leaders

Chinese President Xi Jinping told a gathering of Asean leaders that his nation will avoid dominating the region, a pledge that comes as Beijing is involved in disputes with bloc members over its broad claims in the South China Sea.

“China firmly opposes hegemony and power politics,” Xi told a virtual gathering to mark three decades of ties between Asean and his country, official Xinhua News Agency reported.

He added that Beijing wants to get along with its neighbours and work to maintain lasting peace in the region. China will “never seek hegemony, let alone bullying the small nations as a big