New approach for Asian security

The Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) signed by China and ASEAN countries in 2002 clearly stipulates that there should be no actions by any party that may complicate or escalate the situation. All parties should respect and honor their commitments under the DOC. Intervention by external forces will not lead anywhere.

Choosing to unilaterally submit the disputes for international arbitration is violation of the DOC and encroaches on the legitimate rights of China under international law, including the UNCLOS. And we urge another neighbor to immediately stop all forms of disruptions of the Chinese drilling operation in China's own waters so as to ease tensions and restore tranquility at sea as early as possible. We will continue to communicate with our neighbor with a view to properly addressing the current situation.

As China's leaders have emphasized, China and ASEAN are becoming a community of common destiny, common interests, and common responsibilities. Accordingly we should approach security challenges in our region with a new security concept that aims to provide 21st century solutions to security problems of today.

In a recent speech, President Xi Jinping of China elaborated on the Asian Security Concept with common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security at the core. He appealed to Asian countries to cultivate a new security architecture in the region.

Common security means respecting and ensuring the security of each and every country. We cannot have security for just one or a few countries while leaving the rest insecure.

Comprehensive security means providing security in both traditional and non-traditional fields. We should adopt a multi-pronged and holistic approach, and enhance regional security governance in a coordinated way.

Cooperative security means promoting the security of both individual countries and the region as a whole through dialogue and cooperation. The people of Asia should play a leading role in solving Asian problems. At the same time, Asia is open to the world. We welcome all parties to play a positive and constructive role in promoting Asian security.

Sustainable security means that we need to focus on both development and security to make security durable. We need to deepen regional economic integration, and foster parallel progress in both regional economic and security cooperation.

How can we work together to promote peace and security in Asia?

First, we should deepen regional economic integration to strengthen the foundation for greater mutual trust. Economic integration in Asia is about to boom and expand, and China will play a greater role in this process.

Second, we should strive for positive relations among major countries. Major countries should view each others' strategic intentions in a rational way, and cooperate with each other to fight regional and global challenges. This is the hope of countries in the region, and the ASEAN-led multilateral frameworks, such as the ASEAN Regional Forum and the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus, have a positive role to play therein.

Third, we should properly handle differences and disputes, to which a lot of emotions are attached. This can be pursued through a two-tiered approach. At one level there should be direct negotiations and consultations among claimants to settle disputes peacefully. At another level, China and ASEAN countries should work together to safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea.

We are committed to working with ASEAN countries to implement the DOC in a comprehensive and effective way, and steadily move forward the Code of Conduct discussions.

Asian countries are wise and capable enough to solve their problems on their own. The Asian Security Concept can serve as a good starting point.

The author is vice-foreign minister of China.

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