China’s delegation to the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue on Saturday reaffirmed its rejection of practices of unilateralism and bullying.
Speaking at a special session titled “Cooperative Maritime Security in the Asia-Pacific,” Hu Gangfeng, vice president of the National Defense University of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, said China will uphold its three global initiatives on development, security, and civilization and actively implement the vision of a maritime community with a shared future.
China will work with others to build a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation in Asia Pacific, said Hu. He stressed that China proposes the practice of multilateralism, sincere dialogue and consultation, and equal exchanges and mutual learning to secure that goal.
Hosted by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, Shangri-La Dialogue, widely seen as Asia’s leading defense summit, convenes from Friday to Sunday in Singapore, with more than 550 delegates from over 40 countries and regions attending.
‘China building up security of region through growth’
China’s active role in global security governance has been increasingly acknowledged. In 2022, China introduced the Global Security Initiative. As of the end of 2024, with the support of 119 countries and international and regional organizations, the initiative has been written into 123 bilateral and multilateral cooperation documents.
At a central conference on work related to neighboring countries in April, China, for the first time, proposed an Asian security model that features sharing weal and woe, seeking common ground while shelving differences, and prioritizing dialogue and consultation.
In a white paper on China’s national security in the new era, released on May 12, China makes it clear that it advocates common security, emphasizing that all nations have equal security interests and the legitimate security concerns of every country deserve due attention and proper resolution.
In addition, China also attaches great importance to the coordination of development and security, following the Chinese philosophy that sustainable development lays the foundation for lasting peace and stability.
In an exclusive interview with CGTN host Xu Qinduo, Chan Heng Chee, ambassador-at-large with Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, noted China’s contributions to regional development through the Belt and Road Initiative and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, emphasizing that economic security is as vital as military security.
“China is building up the security of the region by contributing to its growth and institutionalization and the strengthening of the countries’ economies,” said Chan, referring to the Asia-Pacific region and Southeast Asia in particular. “And that is appreciated very much in the region.”
SOURCE: CGTN News