Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang says "major country rivalry" should not take place in the Asia-Pacific -- in an apparent bid to keep the United States in check.

Qin was speaking at a joint news conference with Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi after their meeting in Jakarta on Wednesday. Qin arrived in Indonesia on Tuesday on his first trip to Southeast Asia after assuming office last December.

Qin said that a "new Cold War or major country rivalry" should not be brought to the region.

He said China supports the strategic independence and unity of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. He made the remarks as Washington enhances its involvement in Southeast Asia to counter China.

Retno expressed hope that Southeast Asia will be a peaceful and stable region, as well as a center of economic growth.

Indonesia is at odds with China over the South China Sea. Some ASEAN members dispute the sovereignty of the waters with China.

Retno said Indonesia and other ASEAN members hope to produce an "effective, substantive and actionable" code of conduct on the South China Sea and hold discussions with Beijing on the matter.