Inter-theater dialogue mechanism for China, France military co-op
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China's defense ministry announced the establishment of an inter-theater dialogue mechanism between the Chinese and French militaries.
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The flags of France and China are seen during a meeting between France's Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Stephane Sejourne and China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Diaoyutai State Guest House in Beijing Monday, April 1, 2024. (AP)
China's Defense Ministry stated, on Friday, that the Chinese and French militaries have initiated an inter-theater dialogue mechanism for collaboration.
According to Wang Xiubin, commander of China's Southern Theater Command, this development aims to enhance mutual trust and cooperation between the two armed forces and contribute to the preservation of regional security and stability.
This announcement follows discussions between Wang and France's joint commander of the Asia-Pacific zone and armed forces in French Polynesia.
This comes after the deputy chairman of China’s Central Military Commission, Zhang Youxia, affirmed, on Monday, that China respects peace and has no intention to engage in cold or hot war with any country, but its territorial sovereignty cannot be violated.
"The Chinese people respect peace and do not intend to engage in cold or hot war with any country, but China's territorial sovereignty cannot be infringed upon and its core interests cannot be contested," Zhang said at the opening ceremony of the 19th meeting of the Western Pacific Naval Symposium forum.
The senior official expressed the Chinese military's willingness to strengthen mutual understanding and trust at all levels with the navies of other countries.
"We must firmly reject the Cold War mentality, the politics of force is not favored, and division and confrontation have no way out," he stressed.
Security concerns and the legitimate interests of all countries must be respected, Zhang added.
The 19th meeting of the Western Pacific Naval Symposium forum is being held from April 21-24 in China’s Qingdao. Organized by the Chinese navy, the event is attended by more than 180 representatives of high-level delegations from 29 countries, including Russia, Australia, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
Zhang's remarks come as thousands of Filipino and American troops kicked off Monday joint military drills that will go beyond the Philippines' territorial waters in a first.
The annual drills – codenamed Balikatan, or "shoulder to shoulder" in Tagalog – will be concentrated in the northern and western parts of the archipelago nation, near the potential flashpoints of the South China Sea and Taiwan.
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