At the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, China’s delegation reaffirmed its commitment to multilateralism and rejected unilateralism and bullying in maritime affairs. Speaking at a special session titled “Cooperative Maritime Security in the Asia-Pacific,” Hu Gangfeng, vice president of the National Defense University of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, emphasized China’s vision for a maritime community with a shared future.
“China will work with others to build a sea of peace, friendship, and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific,” Hu stated. He highlighted the importance of practicing multilateralism, engaging in sincere dialogue and consultation, and promoting equal exchanges and mutual learning to achieve this goal.
The Shangri-La Dialogue, hosted by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, is Asia’s leading defense summit, bringing together over 550 delegates from more than 40 countries and regions. As global security faces unprecedented challenges, many are looking to China’s stance for guidance.
“We need China to take a more active role in the discussion, as it can help alleviate the conflict that affects the global community,” said Nuriyeni Kartika Bintarsari, head of international relations at Jenderal Soedirman University.
China’s active role in global security governance has been increasingly acknowledged. In 2022, China introduced the Global Security Initiative, which has gained support from 119 countries and international and regional organizations and has been incorporated into 123 bilateral and multilateral cooperation documents as of the end of 2024.
At a central conference on work related to neighboring countries in April, China proposed an Asian security model that features sharing weal and woe, seeking common ground while shelving differences, and prioritizing dialogue and consultation.
In a white paper released on May 12, China advocates common security, emphasizing that all nations have equal security interests and that the legitimate security concerns of every country deserve due attention and proper resolution.
Chan Heng Chee, ambassador-at-large with Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, noted China’s contributions to regional development through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. “China is building up the security of the region by contributing to its growth and institutionalization and the strengthening of the countries’ economies,” Chan said, highlighting the significance of economic security alongside military security in the Asia-Pacific region.
