The concepts and principles of the Global Security Initiative (GSI) have pointed out a path for all parties to jointly maintain security and stability as well as realize sustainable prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region, said Nong Rong, China's assistant minister of foreign affairs, on Wednesday.

Nong Rong, China's assistant minister of foreign affairs, speaks at a panel discussion on "Global Geopolitical Outlook" during the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2023 in Hainan, Mar. 29, 2023. [Photo courtesy of the BFA]

Nong made the remarks at a panel discussion on "Global Geopolitical Outlook" during the ongoing Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2023, currently being held in southern China's island province of Hainan.

The GSI was proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the opening ceremony of last year's BFA annual conference in response to mounting conflicts and security challenges in today's world.

This February, China published a concept paper on the initiative, laying out a more systematic approach and more practical measures to address global security challenges.

"The 21st century is the century of the Asia-Pacific, which serves as a source of development," Nong said. "The current situation in the Asia-Pacific remains generally stable. Regional cooperation continues to make progress. Peace, development and win-win cooperation represent an irresistible general trend."

However, he noted that as the world is entering a new period of volatility and transformation, Asia-Pacific countries face complex and severe challenges in maintaining peace and stability in the region.

"Coordination and sound interactions among major countries are crucial to peace and development in the Asia-Pacific. The GSI calls on major countries to lead by example in honoring equality, cooperation and the rule of law, opposing hegemony, domination and bullying," Nong said.

He said the GSI advocates the pursuit of sustainable security, resolving conflicts through development and eliminating the breeding ground for insecurity. 

"Asia-Pacific countries have different levels of development. All parties should coordinate development and security, and actively help less-developed regions improve people's livelihoods, boost their economies and accelerate development. Only when the people of all countries live better lives can regional security be solidly grounded and sustainable," Nong explained.

He said the core concepts and principles of the GSI are highly consistent with traditions in the Asia-Pacific region of mutual respect, seeking common ground while reserving differences, and peaceful coexistence. 

"All parties should carry forward the fine traditions, uphold the spirit of the GSI, settle disputes through dialogue and differences through consultation, create conditions for the political resolution of hotspot issues and crises, promote the proper settlement of differences, and prevent the hard-won overall peace and stability from being undermined," Nong said.

According to the assistant minister, during the year since its inception, the GSI has received appreciation and support from more than 80 countries and regional organizations, and has been written into over 20 bilateral and multilateral documents on China's exchanges with relevant countries and organizations.