国内英语新闻:Chinese FM makes five proposals to strengthen regional security

HANOI, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi made five proposals to the 17th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) here on Friday to enhance regional security.

Firstly, Yang said countries should bear in mind the overall situation and interests when dealing with sensitive regional issues, and always safeguard the regional peace and stability.

Secondly, Yang said countries should adopt a new security concept by seeking cooperation instead confrontation, and respecting and taking care of each other's core interest and security.

Thirdly, countries should respect each other, strengthen political mutual trust, improve and develop long-term, healthy and stable relations.

Fourthly, countries should exercise restraint when disputes arise and settle disputes through peaceful means.

Fifthly, countries should make use of multilateral mechanism like Shanghai Cooperation Organization, ASEAN Regional Forum and Six-Party Talks to promote common interest and common security.

Yang said on one hand, the situation in Asia-Pacific region is generally stable. On the other hand, the unstable and uncertain factors are increasing.

Yang said ARF could serve as a security dialogue platform to push for mutual trust among members. Yang also urged ARF members to strengthen cooperation on non-traditional security issues including anti-terrorism, disaster relief, non-proliferation and maritime security.

ARF comprises 27 members including the ten ASEAN member states namely Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, the 10 ASEAN dialogue partners namely Australia, Canada, China, the European Union, India, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Russia and the United States, and seven other countries in the Asia and Pacific region namely Bangladesh, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Pakistan, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste, and Papua New Guinea.