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Qin Gang's first press conference as foreign minister on the sidelines of the National People's Congress now underway in Beijing will be remembered for his warning to the United States that if Washington really wants to pick a fight with China, then that's what they'll get.

But in between Qin's various counterattacks against the U.S. on Tuesday, the new foreign minister also laid out several important new themes in Chinese policy that will shape Beijing's engagement in developing regions:

• WARNING TO ASEAN: Although Southeast Asia is the frontline in the burgeoning U.S.-China rivalry, Qin made it clear that countries in the region need to stay out of the fight and avoid picking sides. (CHANNEL NEWS ASIA)

• ENCIRCLED IN ASIA: Qin accused the U.S. of organizing "exclusive blocs... to encircle China" which he said would undermine regional stability. The FM is responding to DC's increasingly close ties with treaty partners like the Philippines and U.S.-led initiatives like AUKUS, the Quad and IPEF. (THE HINDU)

• MODERNIZATION ≠ WESTERNIZATION: Qin made it clear Beijing plans to lean into its ties with developing countries by highlighting China as an alternative development model. “Chinese modernization [is not] pursued through war, colonization or plunder,” he said. “It is a new path, different [from] Western modernization." (SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST)

• THE BRI IS STILL A THING: While senior Chinese leaders have been noticeably quiet about the BRI lately, Qin was far more outspoken. He noted that more emphasis will be placed on building "high-quality" infrastructure and announced a third BRI forum will take place this year to mark the 10th anniversary of the BRI. (GLOBAL TIMES)

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? Tuesday's press conference highlighted the need for stakeholders in developing countries to read very carefully between the lines of different U.S.-China screaming matches to find the data points relating to their own countries' relationships with both China and the U.S.

SUGGESTED READING:

• CNN: China’s new foreign minister warns of conflict with US, defends Russia ties by Nectar Gan
• Kyodo News: China warns Japan not to join U.S. efforts to contain it