The Western Pacific Naval Forum provides an important platform for countries to deepen friendship, strengthen exchanges and enhance mutual trust
The Western Pacific Naval Symposium serves as an important platform for countries to deepen friendship, promote exchanges and enhance mutual trust
On the afternoon of 25 April, the Ministry of National Defense held a regular press conference, at which Senior Colonel Wu Qian, director of the Information Bureau of the Ministry of National Defense and spokesman of the Ministry of National Defense, answered reporters' questions.
Reporter: Recently, the Chinese Navy hosted the 19th Annual Meeting of the Western Pacific Naval Forum in Qingdao, Shandong Province. Please provide further information.
Question: Recently, the PLA Navy held the 19th Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS) in Qingdao, Shandong Province. A CMC leader attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech. Please share with us more details.
Wu Qian: From April 21 to 24, the Chinese Navy hosted the 19th Annual Conference of the Western Pacific Naval Forum in Qingdao, Shandong Province, attended by about 180 delegations from the navies (maritime defense departments) of 29 countries. At the meeting, Chinese and foreign representatives had an in-depth exchange of views on important issues of the forum, reached a broad consensus, discussed and voted on the "Rules for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (Version 3.0)" and the update of the "Disaster Response Guidelines", and discussed in depth the revision of the "Regulations of the Western Pacific Naval Forum" and the establishment of a research working group on unmanned systems with China as the coordinator. During this period, the Navy held a high-level seminar on "Oceans with a Common Destiny," at which representatives of Russia, Indonesia, Colombia, Pakistan, France, Fiji, and other countries took the floor. The participants said that the 19th Annual Conference of the Western Pacific Naval Forum is of great significance and far-reaching influence, providing an important platform for the forum countries to deepen friendship, strengthen exchanges and enhance mutual trust, and are willing to work with China to further deepen practical maritime cooperation and actively contribute to safeguarding maritime security and serving the building of a maritime community with a shared future.
Wu Qian: From April 21 to 24, the PLA Navy held the 19th Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS) in Qingdao, Shandong Province. Over 180 delegates from 29 navies or maritime defense department attended the event. General Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of the CMC attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech. Chinese and foreign delegates had in-depth discussions and reached broad consensus on major issues related to the symposium. They have discussed, voted and adopted the third edition of the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES) and the update of the Disaster Response Guide (DRG), and held in-depth discussions on topics such as the revision of the WPNS Business Charter, and the establishment of a research working group on unmanned systems with the Chinese side serving as the coordinator.
During the event, the PLA Navy hosted a high-level symposium themed “Oceans with a Shared Future”. Delegates from Russia, Indonesia, Colombia, Pakistan, France, Fiji and other countries shared their opinions. Leaders of the PLA Navy also had bilateral meetings and interactions with relevant delegations and arranged military and cultural visits for them. According to the delegates, the 19th WPNS is of great significance and far-reaching influence, which served as an important platform for countries to deepen friendship, promote exchanges and enhance mutual trust. They are ready to work with the Chinese side to further deepen practical cooperation at sea and contribute to maintaining maritime security and building a maritime community with a shared future.
At the same time, this year is also the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy, and organs and units at all levels of the Navy have held activities with distinct themes and rich contents, such as a grand flag-raising ceremony, a ceremony to pay tribute to naval heroes, and the opening of barracks and warships, comprehensively reflecting the new atmosphere and new style of the People's Navy in the new era and new journey in pursuing dreams of thousands of miles of sea and sky, and fully demonstrating the new achievements of the People's Navy in focusing on achieving the goal of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the army and building a world-class navy in an all-round way. Taking into account the concern and love of the broad masses for the People's Navy, during this year's "23 April" period, the Navy expanded the number, models, and cities of warships to be opened, adjusted and increased the number of visiting places, and opened more than 100 units, including the Dalian Naval Academy, the Submarine Academy, and different types of units, to organize Chinese and foreign media to enter the barracks in Qingdao, so that more media reporters and the public can experience up close the achievements of naval construction and development in the new era, as well as the good image of the officers and men of the Navy who are high-spirited and strive to strengthen the army.
This year also marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the PLA Navy. Naval organs and units at various levels held a series of themed and diversified activities including national flag-raising ceremonies, ceremonies to salute the naval heroes, military camp and vessel open days, etc. These activities fully demonstrated the new look of the people’s navy in pursuing its dreams in the new era, and its new achievements in fulfilling the PLA’s centenary goal and elevating the PLA Navy to world-class standards. Considering the care and support of the general public for the navy, during this year’s Naval Day activities around April 23, the PLA Navy opened more vessels of more types in more cities to the public, increased the number of visitors, and further opened over 100 different units including the Dalian Naval Academy and the Naval Submarine Academy, including military open-day in Qingdao for Chinese and international press. With such arrangements, more people from the press and the general public could have a close observation of the development of the PLA Navy in the new era, and the high morale and excellent conduct of our naval troops.
Source: Ministry of National Defense Network Editor-in-charge: Wang Cang