Defense chief warns some countries pursuing 'absolute military superiority'

Minister of National Defense Chang Wanquan warned on Tuesday that the pursuit of "absolute military superiority" by some countries was part of a new development in international security that needs "close attention".

"Individual countries are seeking absolute military superiority, keep strengthening their military alliances and seek absolute security for themselves at the cost of other countries’ security," Chang said during the opening ceremony of the Xiangshan Forum 2016 in Beijing.

Other important aspects, Chang pointed out, of the current international security situation include a closer link between development and security.

"The roots of war and conflicts, terrorism as well as the refugee crisis, can all be found in underdevelopment. The fundamental solutions for these challenges should all be sought through development," he said.

Also, geopolitical factors are playing a more obvious role, and terrorism is posing a greater threat, Chang added.

"Some regional hotspot issues are becoming hotter under provocation by outside forces, which brings destabilizing factors to international security," he said.

Chang didn’t name the "individual countries", but Bonnie Glaser, senior adviser for Asia at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said she believed Chang was referring to the United States.

Chang also announced that the navies of China and the United States will hold a joint exercise and discussions this year aimed at better applying the code of conduct covering encounters at sea or in the air agreed by the two countries.

He also added that the Chinese navy will conduct joint maritime exercises in 2017 with ASEAN countries.