Pakistan's defence delegation will attend the first security policy session of Asean Regional Forum (ARF) to be held in Beijing from November 4 to 6. "We are expecting the participation of senior level delegates from the members countries, including Pakistan," said a senior official of the Chinese foreign ministry.
The ARF countries had unanimously accepted Pakistan as its new member at its meeting held on July 2 last year in Jakarta.
The sources told APP here on Tuesday that the meeting is aimed at increasing the participation of the defence officials in the ARF, adding the move could enhance mutual trust and understanding, and improve and enrich the ARF process.
It will cover topics on review on international and regional security situation, introduction of security policies, discussion on role of defence departments in combating non-traditional security threat.
The Chinese delegation will be led by Xiong Guangkai, deputy chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.
Sources said China believes that good changes in the security situation of Asia-Pacific region. However, there still exist serious terrorism and extremism; non-traditional security problems in different forms, and remaining the cold-war thinking.
The multilateral dialogue and co-operation is an effective way of safeguarding security in the region.
China attaches importance to ARF's constructive role. It is committed to the forum's sound development. As a big member of the Asia-Pacific region; he said China would actively participate in regional security co-operation and make its due contribution to the region's peace and prosperity.
China supports the ARF to continue dialogue and co-operation in the fight against terrorism guided by the UN Charter and related international laws. It is not right to identify terrorism with any particular country, nationality or religion, the sources stressed.