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 Tanthuwanit said.
Maj Gen Kongcheep said China told the
meeting, attended by Defence Minister
Prawit Wongsuwan, 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 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.