He calls for joint efforts to build a maritime community with a shared future so all might prosper

President Xi Jinping called on Tuesday for concerted efforts to safeguard maritime peace and build a maritime community with a shared future.

Countries should better discuss and manage their differences, and not resort to force or threats of force, he said.

Xi, also chairman of the Central Military Commission, spoke while meeting in Qingdao, Shandong province, with the heads of foreign delegations invited to participate in multinational naval events marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, president, and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects the honor guard of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy in Qingdao, Shandong province, on Tuesday before reviewing a naval parade marking the 70th anniversary of the Navy's founding. Li Gang / Xinhua

 Xi said the oceans are of great significance for the survival and development of human societies, since they sustain life, connect worlds and facilitate development.

"The blue planet that humans inhabit is not divided into islands by the oceans, but is connected by the oceans to form a community with a shared future, where people of all countries share weal and woe," he said.

Therefore, the peace and tranquility of the oceans is crucial for the security and interests of countries around the world, and joint efforts are required to maintain this, he said.

The Chinese people love peace and will resolutely pursue the path of peaceful development and a national defense policy that is truly defensive in nature, he said.

Xi called for joint efforts to address common threats and challenges at sea, and safeguard maritime peace and tranquility.

At present, ocean-based cooperation in commerce, technology, information, culture and other areas is steadily deepening, he said.

The reason that China proposed jointly building the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, Xi said, is to facilitate maritime connectivity, pragmatic cooperation in various fields, and the development of the "blue economy," as well as to promote the integration of maritime cultures and to improve maritime well-being.

"The Chinese armed forces are willing to work with their foreign counterparts to actively contribute to maritime development and prosperity," he said.

"We should cherish oceans as we cherish our lives," Xi said, adding that China has fully participated in the formulation and implementation of a maritime governance mechanism and related rules within the United Nations framework, and has implemented the goal of sustainable marine development.

China attaches great importance to enhancing pollution prevention and treatment of the marine environment, protecting marine biodiversity, using marine resources properly and leaving a clear sky and blue sea to future generations, he added.

The PLA Navy will continue to actively shoulder its international responsibilities and duties, help maintain security in international waterways and provide more maritime security-related public services and products for the world, he said.

Xi also called for more and better consultations when there is an issue or difference, instead of resorting to force or threats at the slightest pretext.

He said nations should also discuss issues on an equal footing, create better crisis communication procedures, enhance regional security cooperation and properly manage maritime disputes.

A high-level seminar on building a maritime community with a shared future will be held as part of the multinational naval events, he said.

Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy Admiral Luechai Ruddit, on behalf of the heads of foreign delegations, said the Chinese government, military and Navy have made great efforts and actively contributed to building a community with a shared future for mankind.

He said the concept and proposal of a maritime community with a shared future will promote cooperation among navies and contribute to maritime peace and prosperity.

Yang Baoyun, a professor of international studies at Peking University, said building a maritime community with a shared future is a key part of promoting peace and progress in countries and regions involved in the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, as well as the world.

"The ocean's role in national security and development has been on the rise in recent years, and disputes can subsequently follow," he said.

As a result, nations around the world will need a new framework or rallying point to reach consensus and handle these issues through peaceful dialogue and cooperation, he added.

Meanwhile, the People's Liberation Army Navy has made tremendous strides over the past few years in transforming itself into a world-class force under the guidance and instructions from President Xi, according to top Navy commanders.

Long-range operations and live-fire exercises have become regular parts of the Navy's training, which is focused on combat readiness and capability, Vice-Admiral Shen Jinlong, the Navy's commander in chief, and Vice-Admiral Qin Shengxiang, Navy political commissar, said in a joint article published in the latest Qiushi Journal, a flagship magazine of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

The commanders said combat exercises and joint operation drills have been given top priority on the Navy's agenda.

Behind these achievements have been the guidance and instructions from President Xi, who is also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, in addition to being chairman of the Central Military Commission. Xi "has pointed out that a strong nation must be one that cares about oceans, and that a modern, powerful navy is an important symbol of a top-tier military", the article said. Xi's focus on the Navy can be traced to his first days as the Party's top leader in late 2012.

Xi has said the Navy's development is strategically important and crucial to national interests and security.

He also has stressed that the Navy should take advantage of ongoing military reform to implement its transformation and beef up the construction of elite combat units. He asked the Navy to pay attention to building naval aviation forces.

The PLA Navy was founded on April 23, 1949. To celebrate its 70th anniversary, a host of multinational naval activities - including a joint sea parade, high-level symposiums and public tours of ships - are being held in Qingdao and nearby waters this week through Thursday.

Naval delegations from more than 60 countries and nearly 20 ships from more than 10 foreign navies are taking part.

Contact the writers at zhaolei@chinadaily.com.cn