Xi's talk of 'Asia for Asians' might well be materialising

FIVE years ago, in May 2014, President Xi Jinping took the United States aback when, at a regional conference held in Shanghai, he proposed the idea of "Asia for Asians" where security matters were concerned.

Calling for new regional security architecture, the Chinese leader asserted: "It is for the people of Asia to run the affairs of Asia, to solve the problems of Asia and uphold the security of Asia. The people of Asia have the capability and wisdom to achieve peace and stability in the region through enhanced cooperation."

He made his proposal at a meeting of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (Cica). When word reached Washington, American officials were astounded by what he said.