A total of 410 peacekeepers of the 20th Chinese peacekeeping contingent to Lebanon are awarded UN medals of peace on July 1, 2022. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

MOSCOW - The Chinese military is a steadfast force in safeguarding world peace, said Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu at a global security forum in Moscow on Tuesday, noting that China is willing to further enhance mutual trust in military security strategies and engage in various practical cooperation with other militaries.

Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defense Li Shangfu stressed that the Taiwan question is an internal Chinese affair prohibiting external interference, with the reunification of China inevitable

Li said China is ready to strengthen strategic mutual trust in military security and cooperation on multiple fronts and jointly build security cooperation platforms with other countries' military forces to further safeguard global security.

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Li emphasized the Global Security Initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping advocates common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security. It promotes a new security path featuring dialogue over confrontation, partnership over alliance, and win-win over zero-sum, which the international community has warmly echoed.

The initiative embodies aspirations for world peace, the longing for harmonious coexistence and the pursuit of common development, the minister said, adding that China looks forward to working together with other countries to implement the initiative, injecting more stability and positive energy into the turbulent world.

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The defense minister also reiterated China's position on Taiwan, pointing out that the issue is China's internal affairs and does not require any foreign interference.

The reunification of China is an unstoppable historical trend, and any attempt to play with fire in this regard or attempt to "contain China by using Taiwan" is bound to end in failure, he stressed.

On the sidelines of the conference, Li exchanged views with his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu on bilateral military relations and cooperation and held bilateral meetings with the heads of defense departments and armed forces of Iran, Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, Vietnam and other countries.

With Xinhua inputs