Quad meet: China says ‘exclusive blocs’ should not 'target third party’

China said on Friday, in a statement coming hours before the first summit of the leaders of the Quad framework - India, United States, Japan and Australia - that cooperation between nations should not “target or damage interests of a third party” and countries should not “pursue exclusive blocs”. "Exchanges and cooperation between nations should contribute to mutual understanding and trust among nations,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said in response to a question about the Quad virtual summit, "rather than target a third party or damage interests of a third party.” "We hope that relevant countries uphold the principles of openness, inclusiveness and win-win results, refrain from pursuing exclusive blocs, and do things that are conducive to regional peace and stability,” he said. is still developing and coming into shape, but it is difficult for them to decide which way it will go, be it military or economic.” On the meeting between the top diplomats of the U.S. and China set to be held in Alaska on March 18 - Yang Jiechi, a member of the Politburo and director of the Central Committee’s Foreign Affairs Commission, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will travel for talks with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan - Mr. Zhao, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson, termed the meet “a high-level strategic dialogue”. Mr. Zhao said "China’s position on China-US relations is clear.” "We ask the U.S. to view China and China-US relations in an objective and rational manner, reject the Cold-War and zero-sum game mentality, respect China's sovereignty, security and development interests, and stop interfering in China's internal affairs,” he said.