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China proposes new Asia Pacific security forum
Phnom Penh, June 18: China proposed today the creation of a security forum involving military personnel from Asia-Pacific countries, saying it would aim at giving equal attention to the security concerns of each country.
Phnom Penh, June 18: China proposed today the creation of a security forum involving military personnel from Asia-Pacific countries, saying it would aim at giving equal
attention to the security concerns of each country.
The move, proposed to ministers and officials meeting
here for the Asean Regional Forum (ARF), appears to be an
attempt at countering the United States' growing pursuit of
counter-terrorism and other security-related pacts with
Asean.
China's Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing told the annual ARF meeting in Phnom Penh that China wanted increased participation by defense officials in ARF via the creation of a "security policy conference" under the ARF umbrella. "This will greatly enhance mutual trust among countries and contribute to regional peace and stability," Li told the 23-member ARF, which mainly consists of East Asian countries.
"In this context, China suggests that the ARF could convene a security policy conference at an appropriate time to be attended mainly by military personnel."
No date was suggested on when such a gathering should be held, nor how often it should convene.
The proposal comes as the United States is aggressively pushing for Asean countries to back its policies on troubling issues such as North Korea, Myanmar and counter-terrorism. China's proposal supports a key element of China's foreign policy -- balancing US dominance in world affairs.
Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue later told reporters the proposal formed part of a new security concept that China has been promoting to the ten Asean countries for several years.
Bureau Report
China's Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing told the annual ARF meeting in Phnom Penh that China wanted increased participation by defense officials in ARF via the creation of a "security policy conference" under the ARF umbrella. "This will greatly enhance mutual trust among countries and contribute to regional peace and stability," Li told the 23-member ARF, which mainly consists of East Asian countries.
"In this context, China suggests that the ARF could convene a security policy conference at an appropriate time to be attended mainly by military personnel."
No date was suggested on when such a gathering should be held, nor how often it should convene.
The proposal comes as the United States is aggressively pushing for Asean countries to back its policies on troubling issues such as North Korea, Myanmar and counter-terrorism. China's proposal supports a key element of China's foreign policy -- balancing US dominance in world affairs.
Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue later told reporters the proposal formed part of a new security concept that China has been promoting to the ten Asean countries for several years.
Bureau Report