Commander Naupoto at Military Forum in China

Republic of Fiji Military Forces Commander Rear

Admiral Viliame Naupoto attend the 9th Beijing Xiangshan Forum in China on Monday.

He joined more than 600 military personnel, representatives and 23 defence ministers from around the world.

The forum, sponsored by the China

Association for Military Science and China Institute for International Strategic Studies, is China’s premier multilateral platform established for discussions on AsiaPacific defence and security issues. Commander Naupoto also attended a special church service on Sunday at the Fijian Embassy in Beijing to welcome new Fijian students studying in China.

In a congratulatory letter from Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Chinese government stressed its willingness to co-operate with AsiaPacific countries to tackle security issues in the region.

President Xi called on the region to safeguard international order and facilitate long term peace through dialogue and continued cooperation.

While delivering the forum’s keynote speech, China’s National Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe stressed China’s military resolution in safeguarding national interests.

General Wei said China would not be intimidated by or accept “longarm jurisdiction” or “big stick diplomacy”, which he said were ineffective problem-solving techniques.

“We will not relinquish a single inch of territory passed down from our forefathers,” General Wei said.

“National reunification is the only rightful path, and pursuing secession is a dead end.”

He also said the Chinese army would not allow Taiwan secessionists to continue making reckless and desperate moves, nor allow foreign forces to interfere in the Taiwan issue.

He said although countries had their differences, China hoped that countries around the world would treat each other with fairness and respect, and not bully the weak or act condescendingly.

The event took place between October 20 and 22, and is China’s leading regional security forum.