Defense minister calls for heightened SCO security ties

The Chinese defense minister on Wednesday called for global solidarity amid multiple crises and challenges, encouraging member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to deepen security partnerships.

The more difficult the situation is, the more united the global community should be to overcome it, said General Wei Fenghe, State Councilor and Defense Minister, in a video speech at the 19th meeting of defense ministers of SCO member states.

He said the Global Security Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping has offered a solution to international security challenges, stressing China is ready to work with other countries to uphold global equity, justice and world peace.

The minister, also a member of the Central Military Commission, expressed firm opposition to United States House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's recent visit to the island of Taiwan, emphasizing the Taiwan question is China's internal affair and China has taken resolute countermeasures in response.

He expressed appreciation to those who understand and support China's stance on the question, including more than 170 countries and international organizations.

Wei said through continuous exploration and development, the SCO has become a model of harmonious coexistence and win-win cooperation among countries with different civilizations and systems, and has set a successful example of a new type of regional organization.

The senior official called on the defense departments and militaries of SCO member states to establish the concept of a security community and to deepen defense and security cooperation in order to jointly build a solid barrier for common and universal security.

The 19th meeting of defense ministers of the SCO member states was held in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, on Wednesday.