YANGON, June 9 -- Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin stressed on Monday the need for a new security concept to solve Asia's security problems under the new situation.
Liu made the remarks at a joint interview with Chinese and Myanmar media, citing Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent advocation of an Asian security concept with common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security at its core.
Liu warned that Asia is facing increasing security challenges that are both traditional and non-traditional with reminiscences of World War II and the Cold War still lingering.
Disputes over territorial and maritime rights remain unresolved and non-traditional security threats such as terrorism, cyber- security and cross-border crimes are more pronounced, he said.
On the basis of the Asian security concept, he said, China stands for greater regional economic integration, sound interactions among major countries, proper handling of differences and disputes, and improved regional multilateral mechanisms, he said.
China also supports fostering of a new Asian security architecture guided by the Asian security concept, so as to jointly maintain peace and security and promote common development and prosperity of Asian countries, he added.
Regarding the rising tension in the South China Sea, Liu said China is always committed to resolving the disputes through bilateral consultation and negotiation with countries directly concerned on the basis of respecting historical facts and international law.
He attributed the tension to the fact that the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) has not been well followed and implemented, saying that certain Southeast Asian countries breached the consensus among China and ASEAN countries and initiated international arbitration concerning their dispute with China.
"Certain countries not only provoked new incidents but also took dangerous actions. They conducted armed disruption to China's oil and gas operation near Zhongjian Island of China's Xisha Islands, and connived in riots against Chinese nationals," he pointed out.
He also pinpointed that certain countries from outside the region, out of ulterior motives, aggressively interfered in regional disputes, fanning flame and sowing discord among regional countries, taking the opportunity to tighten alliances and reinforce hegemony.
"Certain countries denied their history of aggression, played up the 'China threat' and used it as an excuse for constitution amendment and military build-up in an attempt to overturn the outcome of World War II and challenge the post-war order," he criticized.
Regarding the South China Sea issue, Liu said China always opposes unilateral change of status quo and provocation, warning to take measures to prevent the situation from getting out of control, maintain consensus reached by parties concerned and safeguard regional stability and order.
China keeps positive momentum of consultation with ASEAN countries on Code of Conduct under the framework of the DOC.
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