Top Russian diplomat says ‘dangerous games’ ongoing over Taiwan, South China Sea

In opening remarks during a meeting with his Chinese counterpart in Beijing, Lavrov said he agreed with Wang’s assessment that the “foundations of international relations are being severely tested today,” referring to developments earlier this year in Venezuela, as well as ongoing events in the Middle East and the situation surrounding Ukraine.

He claimed that the Russia-Ukraine war is being exploited, primarily by European countries, to “hatch plans to create a new aggressive bloc in the west of the Eurasian continent” involving Kyiv, with the intention of then using this bloc to target Russia.

“In the eastern part of the Eurasian continent, dangerous games are also continuing: both in the Taiwan issue and in the South China Sea issue, and the situation on the Korean Peninsula is escalating,” Lavrov further said.

He went on to accuse the West of attempting to “disintegrate” what he described as the ASEAN-centric space by creating “small-geometry, bloc-like structures” designed to contain both Moscow and Beijing.

“Our entire vast continent requires constant attention,” Lavrov added, expressing confidence that he and Wang will be able to discuss their practical steps in line with the initiatives put forward by their presidents in detail.