China has significantly moderated its attitude toward its neighbors in Southeast Asia, without withdrawing any of its territorial claims in the South China Sea.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in Brunei last week for an annual meeting with his counterparts from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, said that the new Chinese leadership under President Xi Jinping places “great importance” on relations with ASEAN.

Alluding to territorial disputes with several ASEAN countries, Wang said that China would “try to properly handle issues with some ASEAN countries through friendly consultation.”

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