Comment on "China's relations with ASEAN will stand test of time" (China Daily website, Aug 30)

Countries can earn mutual respect, understanding, cooperation and mutual benefit by doing things righteously. Even the smallest of countries will do whatever it takes to safeguard their sovereignty and territorial integrity, so there is no reason to doubt China's determination to do so.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations will accept a strong and powerful China as long as their ties are on equal and fair terms. That's the way China-ASEAN relations have been. So the disputes over the sovereignty of some islands in the South China Sea should not become a thorn in their flesh. For that, the disputing countries' first task should be to keep non-Asian countries out of the issue.

It's good that China doesn't want to compete for the leadership of the world, which is what the United States has always wanted.

The world needs time and opportunities to reflect on the past and plan for the future so that not only ASEAN member states, but also the rest of the countries in the world can enjoy their place on Earth.

HsunTze, on China Daily website

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(China Daily 09/06/2012 page9)