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Pressing challenges call for closer cooperation, new perspectives in Asia-Pacific security

Editor: Zhang Jianfeng 丨Xinhua

05-31-2019 09:19 BJT

SINGAPORE, May 30 -- As the 18th Shangri-La Dialogue kicks off here Friday, defense representatives are expected to present views on pressing security challenges in the Asia-Pacific and call for closer cooperation and new perspectives.

 

Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defense Wei Fenghe will be leading a delegation to the event eight years after a Chinese defense minister took part last time.

 

INCREASING TERROR THREATS

 

Pressing security challenges have been emerging in the Asia-Pacific region, with the most notable being terror attacks in Christchurch, New Zealand on March 15, which killed 50 people and injured many more, and in Sri Lanka on April 21, which claimed the lives of more than 250 people and injured 500 others.

 

The attacks have shown that terrorists planned their attacks very meticulously and could strike anywhere, especially some "safe and peaceful places," analysts noted.

 

The international community needs to join hands in fighting terrorism in Asia and around the world, and a sharp intelligence base, both domestically and internationally, and intelligence-sharing and a strong will of all countries are required to combat terrorism, Maninderjeet Singh Bitta, a leading anti-terror expert in India told Xinhua.

 

Prof. Greg Barton, a counter-terrorism expert at Deakin University of Australia, emphasized especially the challenge of social media. "The dissemination of information, fake news and conspiracy theory, the formation of identity groups are some main challenges for security agencies to deal with," he said.

 

Meanwhile, other non-traditional challenges such as human and drug trafficking, piracy and armed robbery against ships, and sea pollution are also posing threats to the Asia-Pacific.

 

CHINA'S PERSPECTIVE OFFER HOPE FOR ASIA-PACIFIC SECURITY

 

China always advocates cooperation and has played an important role in maintaining security and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defense Wei Fenghe is to deliver a speech on China's security cooperation with the international community, meet heads of foreign delegations and have an exchange of views on a wide range of issues.

 

China has put forward a concept of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, and a path of security featuring wide consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits in the Asia-Pacific region.

 

This security concept is in tune with globalization and the historical trend of the times featuring peace, development, and mutually beneficial cooperation. Rooted in regional integration, it has gathered the wisdom and consensus of the countries in the region, reflected the urgent need of all parties to cope with security challenges through cooperation, and opened broad prospects for regional security cooperation.

 

In April this year, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for concerted efforts to safeguard maritime peace and build a maritime community with a shared future.

 

Nations should enhance mutual respect, equal treatment and mutual trust, strengthen

maritime dialogue and exchanges, deepen practical naval cooperation, and pursue a mutually beneficial and win-win approach to maritime security, he said.

 

China's security concept aims to break the persistent zero-sum game thinking and highlight win-win cooperation and common development, allowing various parties concerned to take conflicts in new perspectives, ease regional tension, safeguard peace and boost cooperation, analysts have agreed.

 

China has a clear agenda for the peace of the world, Rommel Banlaoi, chairman of the Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism Research told Xinhua.

Officially known as the Asia Security Summit, the Shangri-La Dialogue has been organized and convened annually by the British think tank International Institute for Strategic Studies and the Singaporean government since 2002.

 

Senior officials, defense representatives and experts from countries including China, India, the United States, France, Germany, Britain, Japan and Australia will speak at the event. Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will deliver the keynote address at the summit Friday.

 

 

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