Image copyright AFP Image caption Papers say that Xi Jinping, left, is likely to discuss "global security issues" with Vladimir Putin

Papers discuss China and Russia's role in global security as a key regional summit opens in Shanghai.

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Shanghai on Tuesday to attend the 4th Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) Summit.

The conference, chaired by Chinese President Xi Jinping, runs from 20-21 May, coinciding with a China-Russia joint naval exercise in the East China Sea.

Mr Xi will deliver a keynote speech on Wednesday, calling for more dialogue and co-operation among Asian countries.

He will elaborate on the concept of a new Asian security outlook in which regional players will be urged to take the lead in determining Asia's future, reports say.

Jin Canrong, an international relations expert at Renmin University, tells the Liberation Army Daily that China can use the summit to dispel misunderstandings on its role in the region.

"China could also make use of its growing influence and responsibility in international affairs to push for this new concept on Asia security," he says.

An article in the People's Daily overseas edition notes that Mr Xi and Mr Putin will attend the opening ceremony of the joint naval drill on Tuesday and that "shows the two countries are willing to put in efforts to uphold world peace and stability".

"Russia has supported China's idea of building a new Asia security. There is no doubt that Beijing and Moscow will continue to maintain security and stability in the region," it says.

'Snooping worldwide'

Noting that the conference comes amid escalating tensions in the South China Sea, Xia Yishan, a researcher at the China Institute of International Studies, states that the current sea dispute "should not be simply seen as a dispute of sea territorial rights".

"It is a consequence of the US pivot to the east strategy. The joint naval drill between China and Russia should also not to be seen as Russia's strategic change. The Asia region should not become a contest between the US and Russia. Although there is a huge external influence at play, Asia's security still depends on the mutual effort of the countries and people in the region," he tells the Beijing Times.

Meanwhile, media give prominent coverage to Washington's decision to charge five Chinese army officers with hacking into private-sector American companies.

China has denounced the charges brought by the US against the officers accused of economic cyber-espionage and urged Washington to review its decision.

Most media outlets have reported the story, but no commentaries or editorials have been published on the issue.

The story came late in the evening and newspapers are likely to react on Wednesday.

Some experts, however, have criticised Washington's move.

Qin An, director of the China Institute of Cyberspace Strategy, tells Global Times that the indictment is "another effort by Washington" to "hype up" the cyber-security issue.

"In fact, the US has the most extensive network for eavesdropping and intelligence snooping worldwide. Cyber espionage is the main approach they use. Instead of reflecting its own deeds, the US has pointed fingers at others," he says.

He adds that it might also be a "revenge" against "China's recent crackdown on information leaks to foreign intelligence agencies".

And finally, media praise the Chinese government's efforts in evacuating its citizens from Vietnam.

Last week, two Chinese nationals died and dozens more were hurt in a protest at a Taiwan-owned steel mill.

Praising Beijing's swift response, the Ta Kung Pao daily says the Chinese government has "won the hearts of the people".

"Everyone can see that the Chinese government is concerned and responsible for the safety of its citizens and their properties… In face of Vietnam's provocations, the central government did not resort to military actions, instead it decided to rescue people," it says.

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