Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister Chang Wanquan said here Wednesday that maintaining regional security is the top priority for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) countries.

Chang made the remarks when he addressed the 13th conference of SCO defense ministers, which was held in the Kazakh capital of Astana on Wednesday.

Chang said all SCO countries should firmly implement the consensus reached by Chinese President Xi Jinping and other heads of state of SCO countries, upholding "Shanghai Spirit" of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for cultural diversity and pursuit of common development.

The Chinese defense chief said maintaining regional security is the top priority for SCO countries, adding that SCO members should also improve the mechanism construction and enrich and deepen pragmatic cooperation, in a bid to make new contributions to regional peace and stability.

On the South China Sea issue, Chang said China has always been committed to resolving relevant disputes through negotiation and friendly consultation with countries directly concerned on the basis of respect for historical facts and international law.

He said China firmly opposed to the internationalization of the South China Sea issue and outside interference.

He added that no matter what the outcome is, China will not accept the results of the arbitration on the South China Sea.

The Philippines unilaterally initiated an arbitration case against China in January 2013 over the South China Sea issue with an international tribunal in The Hague.

Chang led a Chinese delegation to attend the SCO defense ministers' conference. The other attendees include defense ministers of Kazakhstan, Russia and Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan's Chairman of the State Defense Committee, leader of Uzbekistan's armed forces, SCO secretariat and leaders of regional anti-terrorism organizations.

The conference was presided by the Kazakh Defense Minister Imangali Tasmagambetov.

During the conference, defense leaders summed up the results of cooperation, stressing that as the threat of international terrorism activities continue to rise, the defense departments and armed forces of SCO countries should further enhance cooperation and join hands to safeguard regional security and stability.

The Defense Ministers of SCO Countries Joint Communique and other documents were signed at the conference.

During the conference, Chang met with leaders of defense departments and military leaders from SCO countries and exchanged views on matters of common concerns.

After the conference, the leaders participated in the 3rd "Horn of Peace" military music festival held by SCO countries' military organizations.

Chinese Ambassador to Kazakhstan Zhang Hanhui, and Western Theater Command vice-commander and chief of staff Rong Guiqing also took part in the conference and festival. 

Source:
courtesy of XINHUA NEWS AGENCY

by Xinhua News Agency

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