left corner left corner
China Daily Website  

China, regional neighbors call for innovative security plan

Updated: 2014-09-24 17:43
By Ma Lie and Ji Yuan in Xi'an (Xinhua)

Commemoration of International Day of Peace came to an end on Wednesday with China and Asian countries agreeing to build a new concept and mechanism for continental security.

Politicians and experts from across the globe countries discussed how to make Asia safer and exchanged views on security, development and cooperation between Asian countries at the conference held in Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi province, from Tuesday to Wednesday.

Yang Xiyu, a researcher for the China Institute of International Studies, said an innovative security mechanism could solve regional security issues.

"A new security mechanism was not built after the Cold War and we should make more effort to build a peaceful environment for economic and social development," Yang said.

"Building peace, cooperation and security is the biggest concern today. As representatives of Asia, it is upon us to push our respective countries toward the path to peace. The world is indeed big enough for all of us to grow prosperously," said Arun Kumar, secretary of the All India Peace & Solidarity Organization.

He said one of the more important ways to build peace is to increase cultural, social and economic ties between countries and regions.

Xia Liping, dean of the School of Politics and International Relations of Tongji University, said it is normal for differences to exist between countries, ethnic groups and regions, but that different cultures and development paths should be mutually respected.

"China experts insist on harmony and mutual trust to realize common security, uphold justice and mutual benefit and common development," Xia said.

As Asian countries develop economically, a new Asian security mechanism will increasingly have international significance, Xia added.

Sponsored by the Chinese People's Association for Peace and Disarmament, the United Nations Association of China and the Shaanxi provincial government, the commemoration — themed "People Aspire to a Safer Asia" — included high-level dialogue and a multitude of forums. It also included a roundtable conference on cooperation and development among the cities along the modern Silk Road Economic Belt, a prayer to call for peace, artistic performances and a closing ceremony.

In 2001, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution to declare Sept 21 International Day of Peace. Since then, the UN has put forward a theme for the annual celebration and encouraged all countries to hold commemorative activities.

During the event in Xi'an, the city government initiated a memorandum for deepening cooperation among the cities along the modern Silk Road Economic Belt to further promote exchanges, cooperation and development.

8.03K
 
...
 
  • Group a building block for Africa

    An unusually heavy downpour hit Durban for two days before the BRICS summit's debut on African soil, but interest for a better platform for emerging markets were still sparked at the summit.
...
...