Photo: Huanqiu.com

The 19th Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS) will be held in Qingdao, Shandong Province from Sunday to Wednesday, with more than 180 foreign representatives from high-level delegations of 29 countries participating, including major leaders of the maritime defense departments of 20 countries.

Qu Tao, a senior captain from the PLA Navy Staff Department, briefed the media about arrangements for the 19th WPNS at a press conference in Qingdao on Saturday.

After more than 30 years of development, the WPNS has become the regional naval multilateral cooperation mechanism which has produced the most achievements, the most vitality and has the greatest potential, according to Qu, adding that it is an important platform for navies to hold dialogue and to communicate, enhance mutual trust and deepen cooperation. 

China is a founding member of the WPNS. Qu said that China has adhered to the principles of inclusiveness, equality, and cooperation and participated constructively in forum affairs. 

China hosted the 14th WPNS in 2014. The 19th WPNS this year will be hosted by the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy after 10 years.

Themed "Ocean with a Shared Destiny," naval (maritime defense departments) leaders from some 20 countries will speak at three sessions -- "Global Security Initiative and Maritime Peace and Tranquility," "Maritime Security Cooperation and Maritime Order Based on International Law" and "Extensive Discussion, Co-construction and Sharing and Global Maritime Governance."

According to information previously released by the Ministry of National Defense, the navies (maritime defense departments) of 29 countries, including Australia, Cambodia, Chile, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Russia, the US, Pakistan, and the UK, will send delegations to attend the WPNS. In April 2014 when the PLA Navy hosted the 14th WPNS for the first time, Jonathan Greenert, then Chief of Naval Operations, and Harry B. Harris Jr., then Commander of the US Pacific Command, attended the forum. Normally, as member states, the naval (maritime defense departments) of the US, Japan, Russia and other countries will send naval leaders to participate in the WPNS.

Earlier, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Wu Qian said that the US is a member of the WPNS. In accordance with the requirements of the Forum's Charter, China has sent invitations to all member states and observer states. China looks forward to deepening exchanges and cooperation with other countries and making positive contributions to building a maritime community with a shared future.

During Saturday's press conference, Qu said the PLA Navy is willing to work with the navies of other countries to continue to adhere to multilateralism, advocate fairness and justice, help each other, cooperate with each other, build security and a shared future, work together to promote global and regional maritime governance, jointly respond to maritime security risks and challenges, and actively promote the building of a maritime community with a shared future.