SCIO briefing on 'China's Policies on Asia-Pacific Security Cooperation'

Liu Zhenmin:

Now the floor is open for questions.

CCTV:

The new U.S. administration is going to take office soon. What expectation does China have for the incoming government's policy on Asia-Pacific security and cooperation?

Liu Zhenmin:

China hopes that the new U.S. administration's policy on Asia-Pacific security will be conducive to enhancing mutual trust, peace and stability in the region. Just like President Xi Jinping has said many times, the Pacific Ocean is big enough for the development of both China and the United States. China respects the traditional influence and practical interests of the United States in the Asia-Pacific region and welcomes the United States to play a positive and constructive role in the region. At the same time, China also hopes that the United States respects China's interests and concerns in the region. In recent years, the two countries have maintained positive dialogue and communication on Asia-Pacific affairs. Both sides agree to foster a sound relationship of interaction and cooperation. China is willing to continue to communicate with the new administration of the United States on the Asia-Pacific affairs in the above-mentioned spirit and explore cooperation so as to jointly safeguard peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

Taiwan Central News Agency (CNA):

I have two questions. First, there are some loudly expressed concerns about Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning's training exercises in the Western Pacific and South China Sea waters in 2016. Taiwan sources say that The Liaoning entered the Taiwan Strait to sail north at 7:00 this morning. Is this true? Second, since Trump was elected president of the United States, China has frequently carried out the so-called routine trainings in the East China Sea, the South China Sea and even the Western Pacific sea and air space. Are these actions conducive to promoting Asia-Pacific security cooperation?

Liu Zhenmin:

Liaoning is China's first aircraft carrier. It has been conducting training exercises in recent years. The Taiwan Strait is a watercourse shared by the mainland and Taiwan. Therefore, it is normal for the Liaoning carrier to travel to and from it during training and will not have any impact on cross-Strait relations.

Second, many of you may have noticed that in fact the Chinese Navy carries some training activities every year during this season. These drills are aimed at improving Chinese naval capabilities. The navy can't stay in the harbor. They need to go out for training. These trainings are safe. They made no security impact on the periphery or on any country. So there's no need to worry.

Hong Kong Wen Wei Po:

The White Paper mentioned some of China's ideas on improving the regional security framework. How do you see the current security framework in the Asia-Pacific region? What are your specific ideas for improving the regional security framework?

Liu Zhenmin:

At present, there are various trans-regional security cooperation mechanisms in the Asia-Pacific region, including the U.S.-led alliance system, ASEAN-centered security dialogue and cooperation mechanism, the Six-Party Talks on the DPRK nuclear issue, the SCO and so on. Some of these are among the last vestiges of the Cold War, while others reflect sub-regional dissonance and security inconsistencies.

In the context of the rapid development of Asia-Pacific economic cooperation, the region's security construction is lagging behind, and it is difficult to respond effectively to the complex and diverse security challenges in a timely manner. It is imperative to build a framework that faces the future, reflects regional realities and meets the interests of all parties of the Asia-Pacific region. In the 27 years after the Cold War, countries in the region have made many efforts in this regard.

There should be five characteristics in building a new Asia-Pacific security framework. First, upholding the new security concept featuring common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security; second, safeguarding the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations on the basis of international laws and rules; third, building an Asia-Pacific partnership based on equality, mutual trust, tolerance, mutual benefit, reciprocity and mutual understanding; fourth, strengthening coordination and improvement of the existing mechanisms with a framework of comprehensive, multi-layered and diversified network; fifth, achieving inclusive and mutual development with common development as a foothold.

Before the related parties in the Asia-Pacific region reach a consensus on a new regional security framework, more research and consultation should be made under Track 1.5 and Track 2 frameworks.