China offers to host conference for Asean defence ministers

China offered yesterday to host an informal defence ministers' conference with all Asean countries next year to reinforce cooperation on regional security.

Addressing the Asean summit in Myanmar's capital Naypyidaw, Premier Li Keqiang said the informal meeting could be part of talks to set up a regular defence hotline between China and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

"China is clear and determined on issues concerning its sovereignty. It is equally determined to maintain regional peace and stability," Li said, adding that Beijing would resolve its international differences through negotiation.

Zhang Mingliang , a Southeast Asian affairs expert at Jinan University, said the defence hotline was designed to ease tensions between China and some Asean members, especially those countries involved in territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea.

"Many Asean countries, especially Vietnam and the Philippines, are all worried about whether China will use military measures to resolve territorial disputes in the South China Sea," Zhang said. "The defence hotline will be a move to counterbalance the long-standing intensive joint military cooperation between the United States and Asean members, such as Thailand and the Philippines."

China has been Asean's biggest trading partner since 2009, but so far only Singapore and Indonesia have had joint military drills with the People's Liberation Army.