A Maritime Community with a Shared Future: Naval officials debate maritime security in Qingdao
Updated 19:10, 27-Apr-2019
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This week, China is celebrating the 70th anniversary of its Navy, with a series of multinational events in the eastern city of Qingdao. Part of the proceedings there is a high-level seminar on building a so-called "Maritime Community with a Shared Future". This new concept of global governance was proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday. Naval delegates from more than 60 countries have participated. CGTN correspondent Han Bin interviewed delegates and filed this report.  
When this question came to them…
"No, I can't. "
"I appreciate the opportunity here, but…"
"Is it practical?"
"En, it's a good concept. "
"Why not? It's possible. "
"It's good to be taken into consideration. "
"We encourage that."
"I don't know, I will wait and hear today."
Not everyone agrees about how to create a maritime community, but that's why discussion is necessary. China thinks a new maritime order has become all the more urgent. The "maritime community" concept can be a framework in dealing with many problems.
VICE ADMIRAL SHEN JINLONG PLAN COMMANDER "When there are no rules, the best way is to respect each other with mutual understanding and to compromise. Senior management should do a good job in policy planning, guiding sea forces to use rules in good faith, and avoid misjudgment."
Vice Admiral Shen Jinlong says freedom of navigation should not be used to infringe upon the rights of other countries. He didn't name any country in particular. Among a number of proposals, China is calling for new types of maritime security cooperation partnership and promises to provide more public service products, like the escort missions. It's a global concept that needs a global response.
VICE ADMIRAL ANDREAS KRAUSE CHIEF OF GERMAN NAVY "The collaboration at sea for all navies is based on trust and confidence and cooperation, because nobody can do it alone."
VICE ADMIRAL PAOLO TREU DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF, ITALIAN NAVY "When you know each other, there's a common understanding, it's easy to support peace. "
REAR ADMIRAL MUHAMMAD ALI EXPERT STAFF FOR INDONESIAN CHIEF OF NAVY "I hope this concept will be much helpful for peace. We can talk, sit together, discuss all the disputes. "
A general consensus on strengthening cooperation seems to be there. But putting the concept into practice still seems quite a distance away.
HAN BIN QINGDAO "The Navy's 70th anniversary is also making history by inviting so many naval leaders for discussions and exchanges of ideas on maritime security. A new way of thinking based on multilateral cooperation is gradually shaping the PLA Navy in its modernization. Han Bin, CGTN, Qingdao."