China calls on countries to join hands in strengthening maritime security as threats persist

Rear Admiral, Wang Dazhong, Assistant to Chief of Staff of the PLA (People’s Liberation Army) Navy, speaking at the Galle Dialogue 2016, the 7th international maritime conference held in Colombo said that with maritime security issues becoming more diversified, complicated and comprehensive, navies should aim at shared responsibility, development and prosperity, and establish an effective and efficient emergency response mechanism to solve maritime security issues, control maritime security risks and avert conflict through fusion of interests.

“The security of various countries are closely related. No country can stand aloof over security, and no country is omnipotent. We navies should take the new concept of maritime security as our common principle, jointly push forward and deepen strategic maritime partnership to build the human destiny community,” Rear Admiral Wang said.

He added that the proposed ‘Maritime Silk Road of the 21st century’, was designed to utilize the connectivity and convenience of the ocean to bring together various economy blocks along the South China Sea, the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean for the economic growth and prosperity of the Ocean.

“The Maritime Silk Road of the 21st century proposed by China will combine the fast growing economy of China with the development interests of countries along the road,” he said.

He further said that countries needed to join hands in handling challenges at sea and become partners of mutual beneficial and win win cooperation.

He also said that according to a solemn promise by China’s President Xi Jinping, China would unswervingly take the road of peaceful development and would always be the builder and maintainer of world peace.

The Galle Dialogue; International Maritime Conference was inaugurated by the Sri Lanka Navy since 2010 and this year 42 countries including the US, China, Japan and India are participating in the two day conference.

The Conference, themed ‘Fostering Strategic Maritime Partnerships’ is aimed at providing a common platform for stake holders of national and international repute to discuss and deliberate maritime related issues.