头条英文播报｜Xi says country willing to jointly tackle problems

【图说】The ninth Beijing Xiangshan Forum opens onOct 21. [Photo/VCG]

Military resolute on sovereignty, security anddevelopment interests, leaders emphasize

China is willing to work together with countries in the Asia-Pacific region to tackle security challenges, but it is resolute in safeguarding its sovereignty, security and development interests, senior military officials said on Monday.

In his congratulatory letter to the opening of the ongoing ninth Beijing Xiangshan Forum, President Xi Jinping called for Asia-Pacific countries to jointly address security challenges, safeguard international order and facilitate thelong-term peace of the region via dialogue and cooperation.

Maintaining lasting peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific is in the common interest ofall countries and regions in the area, and it will require different countriesto contribute their wisdom and ability, said Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission.

While facing complex security threats, nations should unite and uphold the global order with the United Nations as its core, continue to optimize security partnerships, and create security mechanisms that are suitable to the region's development and situation, he said.

Launched in 2006, the forum is China's premier multilateral platform to discuss Asia-Pacific security and defense issues. It is sponsored by the China Association for Military Science and the China Institute for International Strategic Studies.

This year's forum has drawn more than 600 military personnel and representatives, including 23 defense ministers. Seventy-six delegations from various countries and international organizations, including the United Nations, the United States,Russia, Egypt, Vietnam and Brazil, are attending the forum, which makes the event the largest of its kind.

In the keynote speech delivered at the forum on Monday, General Wei Fenghe, state councilor and minister of national defense, made clear the Chinese military's resolutionin safeguarding national interests. He said China will not accept or be intimidated by "big stick diplomacy" or "long-arm jurisdiction", which he said are ineffective in solving problems.

Calling China the only major country that is still striving for national reunification, Wei said that the momentum of China's reunification cannot be stopped by any individuals or forces. "We will not relinquish a single inch of territory passed down from our forefathers."

Wei warned that the Chinese military will not allow Taiwan secessionists to keep making reckless and desperate moves, nor will it allow foreign forces to interfere in the Taiwan question."National reunification is the only rightful path, and pursuing secessionis a dead end," he said.

【图说】Defense Minister Wei Fenghe (right) andRussian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu attend the ninth Beijing Xiangshan Forumon Monday. [Photo/VCG]

When discussing China's military-to-military relations, Wei said it is normal for countries to have their differences, but "China hopes countries around the world will treat each other with fairness and respect, not bullying the weak or acting condescendingly".

He added that China will never attach any political strings, force nations to take sides, interfere in other countries' domestic affairs or push its agenda onto others.

Wei said that China-US military-to-military relations, while seeing their fair share of issues, are still generally stable, but both countries should enhance cooperation in properly managing risks and tackling common challenges.

Wei also called for a new type of security partnership based on equality, mutual trust and win-win cooperation, given current risks and challenges.

When tackling global security issues ranging from terrorism to cybersecurity, "no country can insulate itself and be disconnected from the world. Only through dialogue and joint effort and mutually beneficial actions can we find a way to let all people from the world live a better life," he said.

Russian Defense Minister General Sergei Shoigu said at the forum that growing Russia-China military relations provide a shining example of a security partnership based on equality, mutual trust and practical cooperation, which has also contributed positively to overall bilateral ties as well as peace and security in the region.

Egypt's Ministerof Defense and Military Production General Mohamed Zaki said the forum has allowed militaries to share their experiences, build consensus and jointly enhance cooperation and capability to jointly tackle security issues.

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记者：张之豪

播报: Chris Kudialis

【阅读背景】

第九届北京香山论坛开幕 魏凤和宣读习近平主席贺信并作主旨发言

第九届北京香山论坛21日上午在北京国际会议中心开幕。国务委员兼国防部长魏凤和出席开幕式，宣读中国国家主席习近平向本届论坛专门发来的贺信并作主旨发言。

魏凤和说，习主席对办好本届论坛寄予厚望，为我们凝聚和平共识、深化安全合作指明了方向。进入新时代，中国军队始终坚持走和平发展道路，坚定奉行防御性国防政策，坚决捍卫国家主权、安全、发展利益，积极服务构建人类命运共同体。当前，国际安全体系和秩序面临严峻挑战，坚持相互尊重、实现互利共赢是世界各国的共同意愿。亚太各国命运与共、相互依存，构建人类命运共同体符合我们的共同利益。中方愿与各国一道，秉持共同、综合、合作、可持续的新安全观，积极推动亚太安全规则建设，升级完善亚太安全多边机制，打造新型亚太安全伙伴关系，务实开展亚太安全军事合作，努力构建与地区一体化相适应、能够被各国普遍接受、兼顾各方需求的安全架构。

北京香山论坛于2006年创办。本届论坛以“维护国际秩序，共筑亚太和平”为主题，共有76个官方代表团、23国国防部长、6国军队总长（国防军司令）、8个国际组织代表及专家学者和各国观察员等1300余名嘉宾出席。