GUANGZHOU, Oct. 22 (ChinaMil) -- Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister General Wei Fenghe met with the heads of the ASEAN delegations visiting the upcoming real-troop ASEAN-China Joint Maritime Exercise-2018 in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong Province, on the afternoon of October 21.
Wei said that the ASEAN-China Joint Maritime Exercise-2018 is the first joint maritime exercise between the Chinese military and militaries from the 10 ASEAN countries, marking an important milestone in the history of China-ASEAN relations and demonstrating the confidence and determination of China and ASEAN countries to maintain regional peace and stability.
Wei said that China is willing to uphold Chinese President Xi Jinping's thought on diplomacy and the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness guiding its neighborhood diplomacy, focus on improving China-ASEAN defense relations, strengthen communication and exchanges, deepen pragmatic cooperation, and cooperate with ASEAN countries to build a strategic partnership at a higher level.
The heads of the ASEAN delegations appraised the successful performance of the joint exercise. They unanimously stated that the ASEAN countries are attaching great importance to strengthening cooperation with China in maritime security. Taking the opportunity of the joint maritime exercise, they hope to continue strengthening the military exchanges and cooperation between both sides and deepen understanding and mutual trust to jointly address maritime security threats.
Prior to the collective meeting, General Wei Fenghe met with Rear Admiral Lew Chuen Hong, Chief of Navy of the Republic of Singapore. Commander of the PLA Southern Theater Command Yuan Yubai and other officials attended relevant meetings.
