Western Pacific Naval Symposium convenes in China’s Qingdao

The 19th Western Pacific Naval Symposium opened in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, on Monday. The event has drawn approximately 150 high-level naval delegations from nearly 30 countries around the Pacific Rim.

During the symposium, Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of China's Central Military Commission, delivered a keynote address, emphasizing the need for unity and cooperation to uphold global maritime security and development.

"The global maritime governance is facing many new opportunities and challenges. We need to unite and cooperate to jointly safeguard maritime security and development," said Zhang.

Zhang called on all sides to abandon the Cold War mentality and promote peaceful development. He said the PLA Navy has been actively providing public security services by conducting escort missions and offering disaster relief.

Taniela Tuita, Commander of the Tonga Royal Navy, expressed his gratitude to the PLA Navy for their support and assistance following the volcanic eruption and tsunami that struck Tonga in 2022.

"I feel overwhelmingly happy to express my sincere thanks to the PLA Navy for your friendship, and all the kind assistance to Tonga after the volcanic eruption and Tsunami that occurred in Tonga in 2022," said Taniela Tuita, Commander of Tonga Royal Navy.

A notable absence was the Philippines delegation. In response to inquiries about their absence, a Chinese official noted that invitations had been extended to all member and observer states.

Participants voiced a common belief that disputes and confrontations should be approached through dialog and consultation.

Angus Topshee, Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, highlighted the importance of face-to-face discussions in understanding different perspectives and resolving disagreements.

"I think every time we get a chance together to talk, we can better understand each other's perspectives, find the areas of disagreement and openly and transparently talk through them. And then hopefully, we can come to an agreement," said Angus Topshee, Commander of Royal Canadian Navy.

This marks the first time in ten years that China has hosted the Western Pacific Naval Symposium. The agenda includes discussions on a variety of topics, such as unplanned encounters at sea and the use of unmanned systems, underscoring the need to address both traditional and non-traditional security threats.

Western Pacific Naval Symposium convenes in China’s Qingdao

The promotion of Brazil-China relations depends not only on economic and trade cooperation and intergovernmental exchanges, but also on strengthening people-to-people exchanges, said Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in an interview with China Central Television prior to Chinese President Xi Jinping's upcoming visit to Brazil.

In the interview conducted in Brasilia, Lula said that the connection between the people of the two countries is becoming closer and closer, and that exchanges between people will become more frequent and more friendly, setting an exemplar for exchanges between world countries.

"I can feel the interaction and integration between China and Brazil. The deepening of this integration cannot rely only on economic and trade cooperation or exchanges between heads of state, but also requires strengthening people-to-people exchanges. We hope that more Chinese will come to Brazil, we hope that more Chinese will study Brazil, and we hope that more Chinese will learn Portuguese. We also hope that more Brazilians will learn Mandarin, more Brazilians will go to China, and more Brazilians will work in China. In other words, people-to-people exchanges will consolidate the relationship between Brazil and China. Did you know that some people criticize the comprehensive strategic partnership between Brazil and China, but I think this is a good thing because we are considering the interests of both countries together. This relationship between Brazil and China also provides a model for exchanges between other countries," said the Brazilian president.

After attending the the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Lima, Peru on Friday and Saturday and completing his ongoing state visit to Peru, Xi will travel to Rio de Janeiro to attend the 19th G20 Summit and pay a state visit to Brazil at the invitation of Lula da Silva from Nov 17 to 21.

Closer Brazil-China relations rely on better people-to-people exchanges: president