Chinese defense minister calls for consensus, action in global security governance

Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun called for consensus and action on global security governance in a speech at a key security forum in Beijing on Wednesday.

"For global security governance, action is the key and outcomes the ultimate measure," Dong told the 13th Beijing Xiangshan Forum.

Themed "Build Consensus on Stability, Advance Security Governance Together," the three-day forum has drawn about 2,000 official representatives, scholars, experts and observers from almost 100 countries, regions and international organizations.

"Now, the world is undergoing accelerated changes unseen in a century, and international security stands at a fragile juncture," Dong said.

He called for concerted efforts to achieve lasting peace and universal security. He said consensus is needed to uphold stability with multilateralism, draw on history to guard against risks, resolve issues through dialogue and consultation, stengthen the foundations of security through shared development, and turn cooperation into action.

The Chinese military, Dong said, is ready to work with other militaries to advance the Global Security Initiative (GSI), build mutual trust, improve international coordination for common security, boost capacities to safeguard security together, strengthen governance in emerging domains, and increase the supply of public goods, contributing to a community with a shared future for humanity.

The forum is a major Chinese platform for deepening security exchanges and cooperation under the GSI, a China-proposed initiative built on the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Beijing Xiangshan Forum, which was launched in 2006 as an unofficial Track 2 think-tank exchange. It is now a semi-official Track 1.5 dialogue that also brings in defense officials and military officers.

Over the past two decades, the forum has come to be seen as a vital international public good, a space for equal dialogue and joint efforts toward global peace.

Read more:

Chinese vice president addresses welcome banquet of Xiangshan Forum in Beijing

Analysis: Three questions to know ahead of Beijing Xiangshan security forum

China to share military building experience

Dong said the Chinese military stands ready to share its experience in building the armed forces as the People's Liberation Army (PLA) approaches its centenary.

"As the Chinese military is about to mark its centenary, we are accelerating our modernization drive. We stand ready to share our experience and philosophy in building and governing the armed forces with all parties," he said.

Dong added that the Chinese military is also willing to provide assistance to countries in need to the best of its ability.

The PLA was founded on August 1, 1927, during the Nanchang Uprising – the start of the Communist Party of China's independent command of the revolutionary war.

Dong said the Chinese military is also willing to work with all parties to deliver more tangible outcomes and secure mutual success and a win-win future through practical cooperation.

In the face of sudden and frequent natural disasters, the Chinese military stands ready to extend a helping hand where needed, Dong said.

"We will actively carry out joint disaster relief early warning, emergency response, humanitarian assistance, and public security cooperation, and support the development and security of all countries through concrete actions," Dong said.

(With input from Xinhua)