In face of new opportunities and challenges, ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) should keep its dynamic and move forward with the times, said Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing here Friday.

At the one-day 11th ARF meeting, foreign ministers from ARF members discussed issues of regional and international security, the forum's construction and its future development direction.

Li spoke positively of the good changes in the security situation of Asia-Pacific region and also noticed many existing dangers and challenges. He said there still exist serious terrorism and extremism; non-traditional security problems in different forms; and remaining of the cold-war thinking.

Multilateral dialogue and cooperation is an effective way of safeguarding security in the region, he added. Only through equality and dialogue, could there be mutual trust and security, and only by sincere cooperation and consultation, could there be lasting peace, he said.

ARF is an important channel to carry out multilateralism and a driving force for countries to establish common security, Li added.

China attaches importance to ARF's constructive role, he said, adding it is committed to the forum's sound development. As a big member of the Asia-Pacific region, he said, China would actively participate in regional security cooperation and make its due contribution to the region's peace and prosperity.

China, he said, supports ARF to continue dialogue and cooperation in the fight against terrorism guided by the UN Charter and related international laws. It is not right to identify terrorism with any particular country, nationality or religion, he stressed.

The meeting adopted documents on security and decided to hold its first session on security policy in China within 2004.

It unanimously agreed to accept Pakistan as its new member.
 
(Xinhua News Agency July 3, 2004)