HONG KONG, July 10, 2012 — As U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton tours Asia urging more American trade and investment in Southeast Asia, Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Cui Tiankai stressed the importance of stable U.S.-China relations in a July 5 speech at Asia Society Hong Kong Center. Cui emphasized the importance of building mutual trust and cooperation among nations in the Asia-Pacific region.

"China never aspires to be the power in the [Asia-Pacific] region. Nor does China approve of such attempt by other countries," Cui said.

His speech was covered by multiple news outlets. Xinhua News highlighted Cui's suggested course of action:

First, China and the United States should view the other side's strategic intentions in an objective and rational manner, and take concrete steps to forge a positive cycle of mutual trust and cooperation.

In its coverage of Secretary Clinton's Asia tour, the New York Times also mentioned Cui's speech:

"China is the biggest trading partner of ASEAN, Japan, Korea, India and Australia," Cui Tiankai, a Chinese vice foreign minister, said in a speech in Hong Kong at the Asia Society on Thursday, "and the biggest source of investment for many countries in the region." ASEAN is the acronym for the 10-country Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Mr. Cui, while speaking broadly about the need for "sound interaction" between the United States and China, took subtle aim at the Obama administration, which often emphasizes the role of the United States as a Pacific power.

"For China, an Asian country located on the Pacific coast," Mr. Cui said, "the Asia-Pacific is our home and our root."

Click here for a complete transcript of Cui's speech. Click here to watch the full video.

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