China boosts military ties to Asean

Defence ministers from Asean and China have vowed to increase military cooperation and avoid confrontation for the sake of regional stability.

But after an informal meeting in Beijing yesterday, the ministers reiterated their concern over the situation in the South China Sea, Defence Ministry spokesman Kongcheep Tantrawanit said.

Maj Gen Kongcheep said China told the meeting, attended by Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, that it wanted Asean to be a strategic partner with the aim of boosting trust and maintaining regional peace and security.

He said Chinese Defence Minister Chang Wanquan offered to provide assistance to Asean and pledged to solve the sea dispute using peaceful means. "China insists it wants to resolve the South China Sea issue with Asean under a peaceful solution to reach a win-win result," Maj Gen Kongcheep said.

Four of the 10 Asean members — Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam — are among the territory claimants in the South China Sea. The Asean ministers reaffirmed the bloc's stance of concern over the freedom of navigation, stability and maritime security in the region, he said, adding the conflicting parties must adhere to a peaceful solution. "China assured us that it will be Asean's good friend and will not create any tension between us. Invasion is not an option," Maj Gen Kongcheep said.

Gen Prawit told the meeting that Thailand has a clear stance to promote regional stability by boosting military ties.