Chinese scholar slams U.S. Cold War mentality, urges unity in Asia

A Chinese scholar condemned the United States' outdated Cold War mentality on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, calling for greater Asian unity.

Speaking exclusively to China Global Television Network (CGTN), Senior Colonel Liu Wanxia, a professor with the National Defense University of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, warned that confrontation and hegemony threaten peace and development in Asia.

"It is increasingly prominent that the international community is a community with a shared future. However, the United States and a few other countries are still stuck in the Cold War mentality, or even the law of the jungle mentality, which is extremely absurd and dangerous. We would like to advise the U.S. and some other countries that they should see the general trend of historical development as early as possible, proceed from the interests of the countries in the region, and do more things that are conducive to regional peace and stability," he said.

In recent years, the U.S.-led multilateral alliances or frameworks have been set up in this region, such as Quad comprising the United States, Australia, India and Japan, Squad consisting of the United States, Japan, Australia, and the Philippines, and AUKUS grouping Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. The groupings are part of Washington's so-called "Indo-Pacific Strategy" which stokes bloc confrontation and undermined regional peace, Liu charged.

"Within the context of the current international landscape, we also hope that Asian countries can stand together firmly, uphold fairness and justice, oppose bullying and hegemony, oppose bloc confrontation, strengthen dialogue and consultation, and strengthen unity and cooperation. Only in this way can we push Asia to proceed towards a more prosperous and stable direction," he said.

Running from May 30 to June 1, this year's Shangri-La Dialogue drew representatives from 47 countries, including 40 ministerial-level delegates, 20 chiefs of defense forces-level delegates, over 20 senior defense officials, and prominent academics, according to the Singapore Ministry of Defense.

Chinese scholar slams U.S. Cold War mentality, urges unity in Asia

Malaysia has been grappling with sustained cross-border haze for weeks -- despite repeated rainfall, the polluted air shrouding Kuala Lumpur shows little sign of dispersing, with the national weather agency cautioning that a clear timeline for relief remains elusive.

In the capital, air quality readings have held at unhealthy levels for a fortnight, with neighboring districts faring no better as passing showers leave the smog largely intact.

"The rain that is occurring in Malaysia is not going to help in total to reduce the haze because the source is still there so the wind keeps on coming from that direction to our country," said Ambun Dindang, the deputy director general of the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MET Malaysia).

That assessment from the country's weather agency points across the border, where forest and land fires have been burning in multiple parts of Indonesia in recent weeks, sending smoke drifting into neighboring countries. The persistent haze has since taken a toll on a range of industries in Kuala Lumpur.

Open-air food stalls are a hallmark of the city, but the hazy weather has kept diners indoors, leaving many such businesses noticeably quiet.

"Because we're outdoors, some customers and tourists don't want to sit outside. [Due to the haze] our customer traffic also decreases," said a local restaurant operator.

Daily life is bearing the strain beyond the food business as well, from school scheduling to commutes. Local governments and schools must adjust class arrangements based on official forecasts, and whether classes will be suspended has become parents' top concern, with some schools already closed as the pollution persists.

Authorities have reminded the public to monitor official air quality bulletins and weather updates, and to adjust their outdoor plans accordingly.

As to when the haze might finally lift, MET Malaysia says no definitive timeline can yet be offered, with any improvement contingent on a shift in wind direction.

Cross-border haze lingers over Malaysia as clearing timeline remains uncertain