Naval officials gather in Qingdao for Western Pacific Naval Symposium

International navy officers and attachés in east China's Qingdao City for the 19th Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS) stressed the importance of keeping the world's oceans secure so that maritime resources can benefit all.

The four-day biennial meeting opened in the port city in Shandong Province on Sunday with more than 180 navy representatives from 29 countries gathering to set the agenda for the future of Pacific security, as well as discuss and vote on issues such as unmanned maritime operations and updating the Disaster Response Guide.

Attendees said international cooperation is key to upholding peace and security at sea.

"We have to work together to maintain this maritime area which can be used by all. So we all are stakeholders and we should work together. And this forum, I think, will provide an impetus to safe, prosperous and stable maritime area and oceans for the future, so our future generations can benefit from this immense, potential and gift from god which has been given to mankind," said Chief of Pakistan's Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf.

"I'm interested in stability in this part of the world. The oceans are important to everybody. Our security, our stability and our prosperity rely on the oceans around the world. So it's always in the UK's interest that we promote resilience to the world's oceans, which is why navies are really important," said Air Commodore Mike Blackburn, defense attaché at UK Embassy to China.

At this year's meeting, foreign navy leaders are invited to discuss the China-proposed Global Security Initiative as well as issues pertaining to maritime peace and global maritime governance.

"[The forum] is just to renew and continue to build relationships and trust amongst navy leaders and to ensure that we understand each other in the way that we do things," said Deputy Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces Commodore Humphrey Tawake.

"We hope that every country should share and understand, and try to set cooperation, more cooperation in the future," said Captain Parnuwat Samakgarn, naval attaché at the Thai Embassy to China.

As a founding member of the WPNS, China first hosted the 14th WPNS biennial meeting in Qingdao in 2014. At the meeting, member states endorsed the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES), a navy-to-navy template designed to reduce misunderstandings and avoid maritime accidents.

Currently, the WPNS has 23 member states and seven observing states.

Naval officials gather in Qingdao for Western Pacific Naval Symposium

Naval officials gather in Qingdao for Western Pacific Naval Symposium

On his second official visit to China, Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu Charlot Salwai expressed admiration for China's remarkable ability to balance preserving its cultural heritage with embracing innovative transformation.

Salwai paid an official visit to China from July 7 to 12. During his trip, he toured the southern province of Guangdong and explored the megacities of Beijing and Shanghai. His visit included tours of high-tech companies, a ride on a high-speed train, and a performance of traditional Cantonese opera.

In an interview with China Central Television Network (CCTV) aired on Friday, Salwai recounted his journey starting with a warm welcome that included enjoying Beijing Roast Duck, also known as Peking Duck -- a culinary delight introduced to him by the Chinese ambassador in Vanuatu.

"Many had to say. Peking Duck. Because we had it here on our arrival, so it was very tasty. And I understand that the Chinese ambassador in Vanuatu brought us to one of the traditional restaurants, small but beautiful," he said. The prime minister sees China's preservation of its culture as a vital lesson in understanding one's roots and the journey to the present day, acknowledging China's efforts to integrate cultural preservation with modernization.

"It's going to be my second official visit to China. I'm always impressed to see big changes and especially innovations made by China and especially the cities. Because a big impression is to see how China continues to maintain and keep its culture. Because I think it's the basis of everything -- to know where you come from and to understand where we are today. I feel that China is doing a lot to maintain its culture, but at the same time, doing, innovating to transform its culture,” Salwai said.

He also emphasized the importance of learning from China's sustainable development strategies.

"Today, it comes from a long way, some hardship, the government, and also the people of China. So, I'm impressed to see what is done, especially how China associates infrastructure development with nature. That's meant to keep, continue to keep the environment. It takes effort with the climate change by maintaining the ecosystem. I think it's something that, for a small country like Vanuatu, is important to learn. So, we are here. I'm here with my delegation to learn," Salwai said.

Vanuatu's PM commends China's cultural preservation, innovation amid fast growth