Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun, on Thursday, warned about the risk of ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) being drawn into geopolitical conflicts. He was speaking at the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus meeting.
Jun highlighted the need to deepen defense and security ties, promote the implementation of the Global Security Initiative in the Indo-Pacific region, and build a closer security community, according to news agency Xinhua.
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He said China is willing to work with all parties to ensure ASEAN centrality and support the improvement and upgrading of the existing cooperation framework.
The defence minister called for unity among regional countries and sought to resolve issues through dialogues. He opposed provoking disputes, resorting to force, forming cliques or bringing in external forces in the region.
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 ability to jointly safeguard maritime security to contribute to regional and world peace and stability, Dong said.