Xi warns against waging a 'new Cold War' in Asia-Pacific

He says region should not become an arena for 'big power contests'

- Tan Hui Yee and Tan Tam Mei

Chinese President Xi Jinping said the Asia-Pacific would not stand for any attempt to wage a "new Cold War" in the region, which is "no one's backyard", as he called for deeper, nondiscriminatory cooperation among regional countries on Thursday.

"The Asia-Pacific is no one's backyard and should not become an arena for big power contests. No attempt to wage a new Cold War will ever be allowed by the people or by our times," he said in written remarks to regional and business leaders at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) CEO Summit.

Mr Xi also urged the region to strive for "higher-standard connectivity", in the remarks that were distributed by the Chinese embassy in Thailand.

"China will actively enhance the complementarity between the Belt and Road Initiative and the development strategies of other parties to jointly build a high-quality Asia-Pacific connectivity network," he added.

Mr Xi, who had a series of high-profile meetings with international leaders this week, was due to speak at the summit, but his in-person speech was cancelled due to scheduling conflicts, said meeting organisers.