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Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin on Sunday urged Asian countries to discard their "cold war mentality" when handling sensitive regional issues, saying that "exclusive security partnerships" fall short in terms of coping with the current complex regional situation. His words came in the wake of China's tense relations with its neighbors in Asia last year, which were further complicated by Washington's strategic shift in the Asia-Pacific region. Asia is generally stable and peaceful, yet thorny issues such as maritime and energy security still remain. After many years of efforts, a complex, multi-level security structure has been established and plays a constructive role in the Asia-Pacific region. Liu said that regional security mechanisms should be based on mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and coordination Although China has enhanced mutual trust with its neighbors and put forward constructive suggestions for pragmatic cooperation, its relations with its Asian nations were tested by some long-standing issues last year. In 2011, China experienced increased pressure regarding the South China Sea, where Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei and Vietnam hold competing claims. China has been active in resolving regional issues and endeavored to cooperate with other Asian countries to create a regional environment featuring peace, stability, equality, mutual trust and cooperation, Liu said. | 
