Chinese defense minister meets Mongolian, Lao counterparts

BEIJING -- Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun on Friday held meetings with his Mongolian and Lao counterparts who are in Beijing for the 12th Beijing Xiangshan Forum.

During the separate meetings, Dong emphasized the critical need for maintaining peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region as changes unseen in a century are unfolding at a faster pace globally.

China is committed to promoting defense and security cooperation with its neighboring countries for enhanced strategic mutual trust and the protection of each other's core interests, Dong said.

Maintaining permanent good-neighborly friendship with China and engaging in long-term mutually beneficial cooperation are the priorities of Mongolia's foreign policy, Mongolian Minister of Defense Damba Batlut said, expressing the hope for cooperation with China in peacekeeping, border security and joint military exercises.

Lao Defense Minister Khamliang Outhakaysone reaffirmed the country's commitment to strengthening its friendship and defense cooperation with China and building the Laos-China community with a shared future.