SINGAPORE - Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun delivered a speech on China's approach to global security on Sunday at the 21st Shangri-La Dialogue held in Singapore.
Dong highlighted the concept of building a community with a shared future for humanity, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative in his address.
The Chinese People's Liberation Army will take resolute actions to curb "Taiwan independence" and make sure such a plot never succeeds, Dong said
People in the Asia-Pacific are committed to pursuing harmony, are peace-loving, independent, self-reliant, and have always supported each other through thick and thin, he said.
They are against any attempt to turn their countries into vassal states or draw them into bloc confrontations, and hope to live in an equal and orderly multipolar world, he added.
Dong said people in the Asia-Pacific despise those who attempt to bolster themselves by taking orders from hegemonic powers, and are confident that some countercurrents in one area or another can never block the overriding trend of the times.
He called for drawing strength from "Asian wisdom" to build consensus and seek common ground while shelving differences.
China is willing to work with all parties to protect the legitimate security interests of all countries, jointly build a more just and equitable international order, give full play to regional security architecture, advance open and substantive defense cooperation, set an example of maritime security cooperation, strengthen security governance in emerging areas to strive for new progress in regional security cooperation.
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Dong stressed that China values peace and harmony, and is committed to pursuing common security, equality and mutual respect, openness and inclusiveness, as well as safeguarding its core interests.
He said China calls for inclusiveness for peace and opposes building exclusive military alliances.
Dong said various "small circles" targeting other countries cannot make the region safer and can only cause more tension.
He said the Chinese military will take a more open approach and work with the militaries in countries of the region to build a new type of security partnership featuring equality, mutual trust and win-win cooperation.
South China Sea
On the South China Sea issue, Dong noted that a certain country, emboldened by outside powers, has broken bilateral agreements and its own promises, made premeditated provocations, and created false scenarios to mislead the public.
On the South China Sea issue, Dong noted that a certain country, emboldened by outside powers, has broken bilateral agreements and its own promises, made premeditated provocations, and created false scenarios to mislead the public
Moreover, it has ignored the overall interests of the region and violated the ASEAN Charter by allowing an outside country to deploy a midrange missile system.
This act will endanger the security and stability of the region, and will eventually backfire, Dong stressed.
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China has exercised great restraint in the face of such infringements and provocations, but there is a limit to China's restraint, Dong said, adding that he hopes this country could see where its true interests lie, return to the right track of dialogue and consultation, and work with other countries in the region to make the South China Sea a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation.
Taiwan region
The Chinese People's Liberation Army will take resolute actions to curb "Taiwan independence" and make sure such a plot never succeeds, he said, adding that anyone who dares to separate Taiwan from China will only end up in self-destruction.
The Democratic Progressive Party authorities in Taiwan are pursuing separation in an incremental way, Dong said, warning that they will be nailed to the pillar of shame in history.
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Some external interfering forces keep emboldening "Taiwan independence" separatists in an attempt to contain China with Taiwan, Dong noted, adding that these malicious intentions are dragging Taiwan into a dangerous situation.
Ukraine
Dong said that China has been promoting peace talks with a responsible attitude on the Ukraine crisis.
China has never provided weapons to either party of the Ukraine crisis, Dong said
China has never provided weapons to either party of the Ukraine crisis, he added.
The Chinese defense minister also said that on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, China adheres to a just and impartial position and works together with the international community to push for a ceasefire.
On issues such as those concerning the Korean Peninsula, Afghanistan and Myanmar, China has actively sought political settlement and thus played a constructive role, Dong added.
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During the event, Dong also met with senior defense officials from the United States, Canada, Thailand, Japan, Australia, France, Cambodia and New Zealand.
He also held talks with the president of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the high representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
