China says cooperation between countries should not target third party

BEIJING, July 3 (Xinhua) -- In response to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks that India and Japan will strengthen cooperation in the area of critical minerals, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Friday that such cooperation should not target any third party or undermine its interests.

"Still less should such cooperation be used to create exclusive 'small blocs' or stoke confrontation under the pretext of cooperation," Guo said at a daily press briefing.

He said cooperation between countries should help enhance understanding and trust among regional nations and safeguard regional peace and stability.

Maintaining the stability and security of global industrial and supply chains is a shared responsibility of all countries, he noted, adding that all parties should embrace an open and cooperative mindset and play a constructive role to this end.