Photo: Global Times

Rear Admiral Hu Gangfeng, Vice President of the National Defense University of the PLA, attended the third simultaneous session of the Shangri-La Dialogue titled "Cooperative Maritime Security in the Asia Pacific" and delivered a speech on Saturday afternoon.

Hu said that China will uphold President Xi Jinping's three global initiatives, actively practice the concept of a maritime community with a shared future, and create a peaceful, friendly, and cooperative sea in the Asia-Pacific through cooperation. 

In his speech, Hu said, first, China adheres to true multilateralism, maintains maritime security order in the Asia-Pacific, and uphold the concept of Asia-Pacific governance based on consultation, joint construction, and sharing. China opposes unilateralism and hegemonic bullying. China also opposes turning the Asia-Pacific waters into an arena for pursuing hegemony; and firmly opposes illegal actions that create division, obstruct unification, and harm the core interests of sovereign nations. 

Second, Hu said that China insists on sincere dialogue and consultation to promote lasting maritime peace in the Asia-Pacific. Territorial and maritime rights disputes should be resolved peacefully through friendly consultations among the directly involved parties, adhering to international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. China opposes any actions that deliberately draw lines without regard for right or wrong, or that incite conflict, Hu said at the session. 

Third, China upholds equal exchanges and mutual learning to create a bright future for the Asia-Pacific at sea. This should be based on the Asian values of peace, cooperation, openness, and inclusiveness. He emphasized the insistence to a shared security model in Asia, seeks common ground while reserving differences, and promotes dialogue and consultation, in order to create an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future and build a community with a shared future for mankind.

Hu said that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. We must firmly defend the legacy of World War II and resolutely uphold the post-war international order.

Global Times