China establishes defense talk mechanism with 22 countries

Beijing, June 6 (ANI): China has established dialogue and consultation mechanisms on defense and security with 22 nations, and has military-to-military exchanges with over150 countries, country's Defense Minister has said.

Liang Guanglie, also a State Councilor, said China has been promoting mutual trust and common interests with other countries through defense and security cooperation, with close to 400 military delegations to and from China each year.

"All these exchanges have helped the international community know better China's strategic pursuits and the current condition of its military forces," Xinhua quoted Guanglie, as saying.

Guanglie made the comments at the Shangri-La Dialogue organized by the London- based International Institute for Strategic Studies.

He said that he was there to "advance peace, cooperation and harmony" and work with defense leaders from other countries to promote exchanges and mutual trust.

Liang also said that by playing larger roles in international and regional affairs, the emerging countries have created not threats, but opportunities, for Asia Pacific peace and security.

"We are in a new era that calls for a new way of thinking. The assumption of zero sum in terms of security and the cold-war mentality are increasing not congruent with the era we are in now," he said. (ANI)