More than 30 senior defense officials from China and the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) gathered in Beijing
yesterday to discuss Asia-Pacific regional security.
"The first-ever workshop between Chinese and ASEAN defense
departments aims at probing into the security opportunities and
challenges facing China and ASEAN member countries in the
Asia-Pacific region," said Jia Xiaoning, deputy director of Foreign
Affairs Office of the Chinese Defense Ministry.?
The four-day workshop will cover a wide range of topics, ranging
from China and ASEAN influences on Asia-Pacific security, East
Asian maritime security cooperation to the respective militaries'
role in international humanitarian aid, anti-terror and
peace-keeping operations.?
While hailing enhanced cooperation between China and ASEAN armed
forces, Jia said: "This workshop will explore in particular the
prospects and ways to promote military and security cooperation
between China and ASEAN countries."?
"China and ASEAN have more and more common security interests
during the process of the regionalization," said Han Feng, deputy
director of Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies of Chinese Academy of
Social Sciences.?
This year marks the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the
China-ASEAN Dialogue, and the ongoing security workshop is one in a
series of planned commemorative events.
"The development of China and ASEAN is a parallel rather than
running against each other, so cooperation will be more important
than its being a 'threat'," Han said.?
The ASEAN member states are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos,
Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and
Vietnam.
(Xinhua News Agency July 19, 2006)