It gives me great pleasure to get together with you in the golden October of Beijing, to exchange views on international security, regional cooperation, friendship, and world peace. On behalf of the Ministry of National Defense of the People’s Republic of China and the People’s Liberation Army, I would like to warmly welcome all guests here and thank you for joining us.
H.E. President Xi Jinping sent a
congratulatory letter to the forum. He expressed the ardent hope for world
peace and common development, the sincere aspiration to enhance strategic
mutual trust and security cooperation between China and all countries, and the
strong determination of the country to unswervingly follow the path of peaceful
development and contribute to the joint efforts to build a community of shared
future for mankind. By the letter, he charted the direction of deepening
exchanges for greater consensus for us to ensure the quality of the forum and
thus making it another success.
Since its inception in 2006, upholding the
ideas of openness, inclusiveness, mutual learning and cooperation, the Beijing
Xiangshan Forum has endeavored to pool collective wisdom across the
international community on major security issues of the world and become a platform of great influence for
multilateral security dialogues. Facing the profound changes of the
international situation, President Xi
Jinping follows the trends of history, aims to advance the well-being of human
race, and puts forward the major initiative to build a community of shared
future for mankind, which has been widely acclaimed by all countries and
peoples. Based upon this idea, this year’s forum bears the theme of “Building a
New Type of Security Partnership of Equality, Mutual Trust and Win-win
Cooperation” and encourages open discussion and wide consultation. I believe
that the forum will contribute to our exploration for the way for us to get
along and make the world a safer place.
I. Given the risks and challenges in world
security situation, it is the prevailing trend
to build a new type of security partnership.
President Xi Jinping points out that
mankind is in an era of major development, transformation and changes, and also
an era of increasing challenges and risks. Therefore, the international
community should follow a new vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and
sustainable security. While multipolarisation and globalization continue to
deepen, our world today is facing surging anti-globalization, new challenges to
international system and rules, interwoven traditional and non-traditonal
security threats and increasingly interconnected, transnational and complex
security issues. Although the
Asia-Pacific is generally stable, potential risks exist with military
alliances, military provocation, and external interference adding to the
uncertainty and instability of the region.
In response to these threats and
challenges, the international community should make rational judgements based
on thorough reflections over major security issues affecting international
peace and development. Peace and development have become irreversible trends of
the times. Who is going against the trends? In a recent public speech, a senior
US official defamed China for interfering in the US internal affairs and made
unwarranted accusations against China’s domestic and foreign policies. The
speech severely undermined the relations, mutual trust and cooperation between
China and the US. The Chinese side expressed strong indignation and firm
opposition. We urged the US side to correct its wrongful statement and refrain
from harming China’s interests and the China-US relations. We believe that
people of the world are able to tell what is fair. Facts have proven that
hegemonism and confrontational security relations are out-dated. Instead of
repeating the old story of the Cold War, all countries should respect each
other’s sovereignty, security and development interests, pursue common,
comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, and foster a new type of
security partnership of equality, mutual trust, and win-win cooperation. To this
end, the Chinese side would like to propose the following:
Firstly, we should seek mutual benefit
instead of playing a zero-sum game. Only one winner does not make a real
cooperation. Mutual benefit takes cooperation far. It is only natural that countries
hold diversified views. What is important for us is to enhance strategic
communication, properly manage risks, and prevent crises from getting out of
control. To promote international security cooperation, we should enhance
mutual trust and cooperation while resolving existing problems, continuously
deepen bilateral military cooperation, and improve global security governance.
We oppose cold-war mentality, arms race and the egoism of some countries to
pursue their own security in disregard of that of others.
Secondly, we should pursue openness and
inclusiveness instead of alliances and confrontation. Building a community of
shared future for mankind is a noble cause and requires joint efforts to seek
common ground while shelving differences. All countries should transcend
differences in social system, development level and cultural tradition, and
jointly pave the way for win-win and all-win security. We should make more
friends and expand partnership, and stand firm against the beggar-thy-neighbor
practice that serves one’s own interests at the cost of others, the exclusive
approach to building cliques and the Big Stick policy to threat or interfere by
the use of force.
Thirdly, we should pursue wide consultation
and joint contribution instead of unilateralism. In the face of global security
challenges, countries of the world should stick together like passengers in the
same boat. We should all perform due international responsibilities and play a
constructive role. Major countries, in particular, ought to make more
contributions instead of adopting double standards and applying international
rules in a selective way. We are up for consultation and multilateral
coordination, and against provocation for individual countries’ own interests,
willful sanctions and unilateral risky military actions.
Fourthly, we should pursue mutual respect
instead of bullying the weak. Only mutual respect can lead to harmonious
coexistence. Countries, big or small, strong or weak, rich or poor, are all
equal members of the international community entitled to equally participate in
international and regional security affairs. We should advance democracy in
international relations, treat each other with sincerity, and accomodate each
other’s concerns. We object to hegemonism, power politics, and any actions
undermining the legitimate rights and interests of other countries, may it be
wanton interference in other countries’ internal affairs or the attempts to
impose one’s will on others.
II. China follows the military strategy of
active defense, and the Chinese military has always been a staunch force for
world peace.
President Xi Jinping has stressed that
China has all along pursued a defensive national defence policy and a military
strategy of active defense. No matter how strong it grows, China will never
seek hegemony or expansion. Since China introduced reform and opening-up 40
years ago, it has been committed to a basic state policy of opening-up and
endeavored to open its door to integrate itself into the world. Its economy and
society have undergone profound changes, and the living standard of the Chinese
people has been significantly improved. The development of China has exerted
profound influence on the world, with its economy contributing to over 30% of
global growth each year. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist
Party of China, China has made historic progress and taken on historic changes.
It has found a development path of socialism with Chinese characteristics
suited to its own national conditions, and provided valuable reference for the
development of the world, especially developing countries. We welcome other
countries to ride with us on the express train of our development. We also
respect other countries’ rights to independently choose their development path.
We will never impose our will on others. China will continue to pursue an
opening-up strategy for win-win cooperation and work with other countries to
realize common development and prosperity through advancing the Belt and Road
Initiative.
In the new era of socialism with Chinese
characteristics, the mission of the Chinese military is to provide strong
strategic support to the realization of the “two centenary goals” and the
Chinese dream of national rejuvenation. At present, under the guidance of
President Xi Jinping’s thought on strengthening the military, the Chinese
military is strengthening development and reform in every aspect to achieve the
strategic goal of the modernization of national defense and the military. The
strategic purpose of our military development has always been consistent,
clear-cut and transparent.
Firstly, the Chinese military firmly
adheres to the path of peaceful development. We Chinese people love peace and
cherish peace. We know too well the unspeakable pain and sufferings of war. The
path of peaceful development is our state policy. It is stipulated in our
Constitution and the Constitution of the CPC. It has become the will of our
Party, our country, our military and our people. The fundamental purpose of
China’s development is to provide a better life to its people. A modest
development of its military is to safeguard the Chinese people’s rights to live
and work in peace, and secure the peace and tranquility of humanity. The
Chinese military will never pose a threat to any country. No matter how
developed China may be, we will never seek hegemony, nor will we engage in
military expansion or arms race.
Secondly, the Chinese military is resolute
in safeguarding China’s sovereignty,
security and development. China is the only major country that is still
striving for its national reunification. Facing complex and grim security
threats, the Chinese military has heavy responsibilities on its shoulders and
dares not to slacken its efforts. We always bear in mind that we will not lose
a single inch of our territory, nor will we seize any territory from others.
The Taiwan question concerns China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and
is a matter of China’s core interests. It is extremely dangerous to repeatedly
challenge China’s bottom line on this question. If anyone ever tries to secede
Taiwan from China, the Chinese military will take resolute actions and pay
whatever price that has to be paid. The islands in South China Sea have been
China’s territory since ancient times. They are the legacy of our ancestors,
and we cannot afford to lose a single inch of them. The necessary defense
facilities that China builds on its own territory is an exercise of the rights
of self-preservation and self-defense as a sovereign state. It has nothing to
do with militarization. At present, the overall situation in the South China
Sea is stable and showing encouraging signs. It proves that countries in the
region are capable of resolving our own issues. China opposes the show of force
in the South China Sea by countries from outside the region under the pretext
of the freedom of navigation and overflight. Such actions are provocative and
will only aggravate tension.
Thirdly, the Chinese military remains
unwavering in its resolve to maintain national interests overseas. As economic
globalization continues to develop, China’s overseas interests also keep
growing. Hence more and better cooperation between the Chinese military and
other militaries becomes an objective demand to maintain a sound security
environment internationally and to safeguard the legitimate rights and
interests of China’s legal persons and citizens overseas. The Chinese military
will strictly abide by related international rules and regulations, deepen
security cooperation with the Belt and Road countries, and provide more public
security goods and a reliable security guarantee for joint Belt and Road
programs and projects.
Fourthly, the Chinese military is committed
to maintaining peace and stability of the region and the world. We will
continue to follow the concept of common, comprehensive, cooperative and
sustainable security, work for a security architecture of fairness and justice
that is built and shared by all, and make greater contributions to peace and
stability of the region and the wider world. On the nuclear issue on the Korean
Peninsula, China’s position has been consistent and clear-cut. We are glad to
see positive progress in the situation of the peninsula. We will maintain close
contact with other parties, and continue to play a positive role in the
denuclearization of the Peninsula and for lasting peace and stability in
Northeast Asia.
III. Maintaining regional security requires
joint efforts of all countries and deepening pragmatic cooperation is the only
correct choice.
President Xi Jinping stated that no country
in the world can enjoy absolute security. When our neighbors are in trouble,
instead of tightening his own fences, one should extend a helping hand to them.
In recent years, the Chinese PLA earnestly
implemented the idea of building a community of shared future for mankind,
continuously deepened foreign military relations, and actively conducted
diversified military cooperation with regional and neighboring countries. The
PLA continued to make great efforts in providing military assistance gratis to
the developing countries and neighbors, initiated a quadrilateral counter-terrorism
coordination mechanism of Chinese, Afghan, Pakistani and Tajikistani
militaries, took an active part in consultations on the Code of Conduct in the
South China Sea, sent naval task groups to the escort missions in the Gulf of
Aden and waters off the coast of Somalia, deployed troops worldwide for UN
peacekeeping operations and HADR tasks, and established standby peacekeeping
force of up to 8,000 troops. In early August, over 40 delegates from China and
ASEAN countries participated in the TTX (tabletop exercise) of the 1st
China-ASEAN Joint Maritime Exercise. Two days ago, naval troops of China and
ASEAN countries gathered in the Chinese coastal city Zhanjiang and kicked off a
maritime exercise, which was of great significance to enhancing defense cooperation
and mutual trust between the two sides.
At the moment when we are speaking, the
16th SOM for implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the
South China Sea and the 26th Joint Work-group Conference are convening in
Manila, where China will continue to exchange views with ASEAN countries on the
COC.
I am happy to see the vibrant momentum for
regional dialogue and cooperation. The PLA is willing to join hands with other
militaries and play a greater role in maintaining international and regional
peace and stability. Hereby, the Chinese side would like to pledge the
following:
Firstly, we will make efforts to build a
new type of military-to-military relationship. We are ready to improve
strategic communication with other armed forces and flesh out multilevel
dialogue mechanisms for more effective control of strategic risks. We will
endeavor to strengthen coordination and collaboration on international and
regional affairs, and share the responsibilities and obligations with other
major countries for world peace. As a good example of cooperation, the
relationship between Chinese and Russian militaries, featuring non-alliance,
non-confrontation and non-targeting at a third party, continues to develop at a
high-level. China-Russia military relationship will contribute to strengthening
the comprehensive strategic coordination between the two countries. The
China-US military relations are important and sensitive. The Chinese and US
sides are bound to work together to implement the consensus reached by the two
heads of state, adhere to the principles of no conflict, no confrontation,
mutual respect and win-win cooperation,
gather mutual trust, and meet each other halfway, thus making China-US
military relationship a true stabilizer in the bilateral relations. At the same
time, we attach great importance to developing a new type of military
relationship with regional countries. We will work with them to carry out
extensive and pragmatic cooperation, properly handle sensitive issues and
jointly create a stable regional security environment.
Secondly, we will make efforts to promote
the building of new Asia-Pacific security mechanisms. In the spirit of mutual
benefit, win-win outcomes, openness and inclusiveness, we take an active part
in cooperative programs under the frameworks of SCO, ADMM plus and ARF, work
with regional countries to explore diversified platforms for security
cooperation, advance dialogue and communication between existing security
organizations, and push forward the establishment of a realistic and generally
accepted security cooperation architecture for the region. I am aware that some
country has put forth new propositions on regional security recently. We hope
that these ideas could be open and inclusive, and favorable for regional
win-win cooperation, rather than the other way around.
Thirdly, we will make efforts to deepen
military cooperation with developing countries and our neighbors. We uphold the
principles of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness in neighborhood
diplomacy, and the principles of sincerity, practical results, affinity and
good faith for our relations with developing countries. We are always, as good
friends and partners, ready to strengthen traditional friendship and mutually
beneficial cooperation in all areas and respond to security threats by joint
efforts. The PLA will fulfill its due international obligations and contribute
more to international peacekeeping operations, humanitarian assistance as well
as demining and chemical weapon defense assistance. We will continue to promote
counter-terrorism cooperation, safeguard the security of sea lines of
communication and provide more public security goods to the international
community.
Fourthly, we will make efforts to enhance
security dialogues and consultations with foreign militaries. We will earnestly
carry out the concept of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable
security, have in-depth discussions with other militaries and international
organizations on international and regional hotspots, and pool our wisdom and
strength for better solutions. In a word, the PLA will always embrace the world
with open arms. We welcome extensive exchanges by all at the Beijing Xiangshan
Forum. The Chinese side will continue to actively participate in international
and regional multilateral security dialogues.
In the end, I wish the 8th Beijing Xiangshan
Forum a complete success!