国际英语新闻：Australian PM: Asia-Pacific region to shape much of critical history of 21st century

SINGAPORE, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Much of the critical history of the 21st century will be written, shaped and lived out in the Asia-Pacific region, visiting Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said here on Friday night.

    Delivering the keynote speech at the opening of the annual Asia Security Summit, Rudd said that the center of global geo-strategic and geo-economic gravity is shifting to the Asia-Pacific region, therefore we shoulder great responsibilities both regional and global.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd delivers a keynote speech during the opening of the Asia Security Summit in Singapore May 29, 2009. The annual Asia Security Summit, organized by the London International Institute for Strategic Studies, is being held in Singapore from May 29 to 31

"So not only do the countries of our region have an interest in the region's future stability, so too does the world," he said.

    Noting the importance of managing major power relations, Rudd said that the effective management of relations between the United States, Japan, China and India, will be crucial for the collective future.

    Rudd also emphasized the proposal of the development of "an Asia Pacific community" (APc).

    He said an APc could help ensure that the process of regional economic and financial integration keeps moving forward, adding that it could also help to nurture a culture of cooperation and collaboration on security.

    Referring to the recently released Australia's Defense White Paper, Rudd said that Australia is a strong believer in the importance of military cooperation and military transparency as contributing to long-term stability.

    "The White Paper is a frank document that describes how we see the world and how we are shaping our military forces to respond to possible challenges ahead," Rudd said.

    Speaking on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) recent nuclear test, Rudd said that the international community must respond with one voice and with a common program of action against Pyongyang.

    The annual Asia Security Summit, organized by the London International Institute for Strategic Studies, is being held in Singapore from May 29 to 31.

    The forum brings together about 22 ministerial-level guests, along with parliamentarians, military leaders and security experts from more than 27 countries and regions for discussions on regional security issues and defense cooperation.