President Xi Jinping, in his keynote address to the fourth Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia, or CICA, presented China's views on regional security and CICA's development, and proposed a new Asian security cooperation framework.
Asia faces challenges not only in traditional security areas, but also in non-traditional security fields because of rising terrorism and the threats to financial and network security. This means the region is in need of new concepts of security and security cooperation, and China's proposal to build a new Asian security architecture couldn't have come at a better time.
Different from the previous security frameworks, which were generally country-centered thanks to some countries' Cold War mentality, the new Asia security concept provides a comprehensive perspective on security issues.
Security cooperation is still low on Asian economies' agenda. Compared with the rapid increase in regional economic cooperation, however, the coordination and cooperation mechanism for regional security lags far behind, especially if we consider the huge diversity in the economic systems, cultures and religions in the region.
To resolve the many traditional and non-traditional security issues, we need sincerity and wisdom, as well as the courage to take on difficult tasks, which are at the core of the new Asian security concept. And China is ready to play the role of a responsible regional power and remains committed to peace, stability and development.
To make the region secure, Asian countries should focus on common security interests, and the new Asian security concept presented by the Chinese president will help Asian countries reach an agreement in this regard.
The message from China at the CICA is that Asian countries should resolve disputes through peaceful means, adhere to the principle of equality and mutual benefit, and not impose their will on other countries. Only after such a platform of mutual trust and peaceful coexistence is built can we ensure common development of all Asian countries.
Asian countries cannot establish a security cooperation mechanism at one stroke. The risks and challenges Asia faces cannot be overcome by following the models and practices of countries in other continents. The new Asian security concept may not achieve immediate results, but in the long run it will deepen security cooperation among the region's countries and make the region really secure.