ASTANA, June 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister Chang Wanquan said here Wednesday that maintaining regional security is the top priority for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) countries.
Chang made the remarks when he addressed the 13th conference of SCO defense ministers, which was held in the Kazakh capital of Astana on Wednesday.
Chang said all SCO countries should firmly implement the consensus reached by Chinese President Xi Jinping and other heads of state of SCO countries, upholding "Shanghai Spirit" of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for cultural diversity and pursuit of common development.
The Chinese defense chief said maintaining regional security is the top priority for SCO countries, adding that SCO members should also improve the mechanism construction and enrich and deepen pragmatic cooperation, in a bid to make new contributions to regional peace and stability.
On the South China Sea issue, Chang said China has always been committed to resolving relevant disputes through negotiation and friendly consultation with countries directly concerned on the basis of respect for historical facts and international law.
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