The seventh Xiangshan Forum is into its second day in the Chinese capital, Beijing. In a speech delivered at the forum, Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan said China is promoting a new concept in international security. CCTV's Hou Na spoke to some defense ministers and scholars at the meeting for their perspectives on the security challenges facing the Asia-Pacific region.
Top military officials and academics in the region debate the most relevant security issues of the day. But they're not looking for answers, rather just a frank and intelligent debate on the best way forward.
And host China provided its own views.
"It's a pressing matter to abandon the Cold War mentality, and build a new security concept that is common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable," Chinese defense minister Chang Wanquan said.
Chang said some nations are now sacrificing the security of others, to pursue their own form of absolute security. He instead proposed that all sides use a new path of communication -- that is, to use dialogue rather than confrontation; to build partnerships, not alliances.
Security in Asia is lacking a consensus and there are no simple answers of course. Historical disputes remain unsolved, and there's often little appetite to approach them. But China re-affirmed its commitment to finding peaceful solutions to these issues.
The Xiangshan Forum is developing into one of the key security meetings in Asia. Whatever the debates about security, China is seeking its proper place, in the regional and global order.
