VIENTIANE, Nov. 21 -- Chinese Defense Minister Admiral Dong Jun attended and delivered a speech at 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) held in Vientiane, Laos on the morning of November 21st.
Admiral Dong said that in the face of a volatile and intertwined world situation, people of all countries have increasingly high aspirations for peace and development. The Asia-Pacific region remains stable as a whole but faces a real risk of being drawn into geopolitical conflicts. The strategic choice we make today bears on the future security of the region and the well-being of our people. Regional countries should join hands and work together to protect our beautiful home.
Admiral Dong noted that China is ready to work with all parties to firmly consolidate ASEAN centrality, resolutely support the improvement and upgrading of the existing cooperation framework, and oppose "starting all over again" and creating "small circles".
"We should firmly maintain the unity of regional countries and oppose the introduction of bloc politics and camp confrontation into the region. We are firmly committed to resolving issues through dialogues and oppose provoking disputes, resorting to force, ganging up or even soliciting external forces. We should firmly deepen defense and security cooperation, promote the implementation of global security initiatives in the region, and build an even closer security community," said the Chinese defense minister.
Admiral Dong stressed that China and ASEAN should expand common maritime interests with a long-term vision, carry out maritime security cooperation in a flexible and diverse manner, and enhance their capabilities to jointly safeguard maritime security, so as to make contributions to regional and world peace and stability.
Prior to the meeting, the Chinese defense minister held talks with defense leaders from New Zealand, India, Malaysia and the Secretary-General of ASEAN.