China at UN warns of return to 'Cold War mentality'by AFP Staff WritersUnited Nations, United States (AFP) Sept 26, 2025Chinese Premier Li Qiang warned Friday against a return to a "Cold War mentality" and defended multilateralism and free trade, in a veiled criticism of the United States from the United Nations. The United States and its Pacific allies have long demanded that China accept the status quo and allow freedom of navigation in the strategic South China Sea, where Beijing has myriad disputes. The comments were a reference to the United States, China's primary competitor in recent years across a wide range of economic and geopolitical arenas. Kim stood alongside Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijiing this month at a huge military parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Pyongyang justifies its nuclear programme by citing threats it claims to face from the United States and its allies, including South Korea.