Opening ceremony of the 2023 Conference of Global Public Security Forum (Lianyungang) Photo: Deng Xiaoci/GT

In the face of a complex public security situation around the world, China's stance is consistent and clear that it will actively implement the Global Security Initiative (GSI), adhere to common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security concepts and strive to take a new path of cooperation based on joint consultation, shared responsibilities and shared outcomes, Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong expounded while addressing the opening ceremony of the 2023 Conference of Global Public Security Cooperation Forum in Lianyungang, East China's Jiangsu Province, on Wednesday. 

During his keynote speech, Wang stressed that major powers with more resources and advantages should take the lead in guiding global governance of public security in terms of ideas, direction, and practice. They should also take the lead in promoting international social fairness and justice, and opposing hegemony, dominance, and bullying.

"We all are stakeholders of public security and we should all adhere to the basic principles of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, oppose double standards, unilateral sanctions, and long-arm jurisdiction, and ensure that the benefits of security and development are more extensive and equitable for people of all countries," Wang urged. 

Themed "One World, Common Security," the forum gathered more than 500 senior law-enforcement officials, experts and scholars from some 50 countries and regions, and international organizations. 

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare of the Solomon Islands, during his speech via video link at the opening session, hailed China-proposed GSI to adapt to the profoundly changing international landscape and address complex and intertwined security challenges with a win-win mindset, as opposed to an "unfortunate" global system that provides security priorities based on dominant views and feedback. 

Extending the deepest gratitude of the people and government of the Solomon Islands to the people and government of China, Sogavare revealed that the capacity and capability of the Solomon Islands Police Force have greatly improved in the last two years, as compared to the last 20 years, thanks to the effective public security cooperation arrangement between the two nations' police forces. 

"One of the key features of our cooperation is the ability to listen to the needs of security agencies and devise strategic workable plans. There has been no intention of control or dominance, but simply to identify, improve and empower. That is basically what is needed for a good public security cooperation approach," Sogavare said, applauding the cooperation. 

Distinguished guests including the Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Munet, Egyptian Interior Minister Mohammed Mahmoud Tawfiq and UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix also delivered speeches at Wednesday's opening session through video links, commending the significant achievements of the forum.

As one of the world's safest countries, China is committed to supporting the establishment of a global law enforcement training system. In addition, we will organize a security equipment expo to offer assistance to other nations in terms of police equipment. In the coming year, we plan to provide training for 3,000 law enforcement personnel from participating countries of the forum. Furthermore, we will also offer opportunities for 50 individuals from those countries to study in China, Wang announced on Wednesday.

Moeed Yusuf, former national security advisor of Pakistan photo: Deng Xiaoci/GT

Forums like the Global Public Security Cooperation Forum in Lianyungang are trying to identify avenues through which the entire world can come together and agree on a cooperative framework, Moeed Yusuf, former national security advisor of Pakistan, told the Global Times on the sidelines of the forum on Wednesday. 

"Pakistan and China have been strategic partners and what we call 'Iron Brothers' through difficult and good times. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor has been called the litmus test of the BRI for a reason. And the reason is that if the China Pakistan Economic Corridor succeeds, it proves a model of partnership when it comes to development," Yusuf said. 

"I think countries like China and many others can come together to help countries in the developing world improve their governance. Without governance, there is no development. Without development, you still have poverty. And with poverty, you have all sorts of security problems that many countries face," he said.