BEIJING, March 7 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. claim to "shape the strategic environment in which China operates" actually reveals the real purpose of its Indo-Pacific strategy, that is to encircle China, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang said Tuesday.

Such an attempt will only disrupt the ASEAN-centered open and inclusive regional cooperation architecture, and undermine the overall and long-term interests of regional countries. It is bound to fail, he said.