Chinese Defense Minister Chi Haotian Wednesday spoke highly of a new security concept in the Asia-Pacific region, which gives emphasis to dialogue and consultation.

Addressing the opening ceremony of the Fourth ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Regional Forum (ARF) meeting of the Heads of Defense Colleges (military schools), the Chinese defense minister also lauded the ARF model.

"The ARF is a courageous effort in probing the ASEAN initiative to carry out open dialogue and consultation on regional political and security issues," Chi said.

He added that ARF members have also been able to discuss and reconcile the different views among them in order to reduce the risk to security.

ASEAN Regional Forum has adhered to the principles of equal participation, seeking common ground while reserving differences, consulted consensus and incremental approaches, according to Chi, who is also vice chairman of the Central Military Commission and a State Councilor.

The forum emphasizes strengthening mutual understanding and confidence through dialogue and consultation, cementing political security through economic exchange and cooperation, he noted.

"This represents a new security concept and the multi-polarization trend in the region," Chi said.

He said that "we deeply appreciate the achievements of the ARF."

On the international situation, Chi said that overall the world is becoming more relaxed, but regional flashpoints do exist.

He pointed out that hegemonism and power politics have shown new traces of development, adding that "neo-interventionism" in the excuse of "democracy and human rights" and separatist activities are gaining ground.

"All these will endanger or jeopardize the security and stability of the region," he warned. "That's why we advocate that all countries adopt the new security concept built upon equality, dialogue, mutual confidence and cooperation."

In doing so, he further explained, nations in the world can respect each other rather than dominate the weak, encourage cooperation rather than confrontation, achieve consensus through consultation rather than impose one country's will on others, and pursue peaceful settlements to their disputes.

The Chinese government and the People's Liberation Army attach great importance to and take an active part in all ARF activities, said Chi.

"We appreciate and support the approach by most ARF countries in solving security issues through dialogue and consultation," he said.

He told the participants that "China is a developing country and needs a lasting stable environment to ensure smooth economic development."

He said that it is in the interests of security in both China and other ARF countries to develop good neighborly relations between each other and preserve peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

"We will continue our efforts as always," Chi said.

The Meeting of the Heads of Defense Colleges, hosted by the foreign office of the Chinese Ministry of Defense and the University of National Defense, is attended by representatives of defense colleges and institutions from 21 ARF member countries.

During the event, the participants will discuss topics such as cooperation among their colleges, military training in the information age, Asia-Pacific security and issues of the ASEAN in the future.

(People’s Daily 09/06/2000)