US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter at the 14 th Shangri La Dialogue (Photo: AFP/Getty)

An array of initiatives have been proposed by many countries to ensure regional security on May 30 - the first working day of the 14 th Shangri La Dialogue in Singapore. 

US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter said the US will debut a Southeast Asia maritime security cooperation initiative, adding that the country’s Congress has approved 425 million USD for maritime capacity-building efforts in the region. 

Meanwhile, Japanese Defence Minister Gen Nakatani suggested the Shang-ri La Dialogue Initiative to boost regional maritime security. 

The initiative will include completing common rules and laws at sea and in the air in the region, increasing joint exercise along with considering measures to prevent submarine-related accidents. 

At a fringe meeting, Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu urged ASEAN nations and China to conduct joint peace patrols in the East Sea so as to reduce the risk of conflict and said these patrols will send a message that no single country should "build up strength or threaten anyone" in the waters. 

Indian Minister of State for Defence Rao Inderjit Singh said even as traditional forms of threat persist, newer threats are emerging. Countering these requires a collaborative effort of all states in Asia, and the case for a strong security architecture for Asia has never been stronger. Such an architecture will require innovative forms of international cooperation among Asian countries and also between Asian and non-Asian countries. 

Representatives from many other countries also voiced concern over escalating tensions in the East Sea and agreed that the problem needs to be solved through dialogues. 

UK Defence Secretary Michael Fallon called on all parties to refrain from activities that increase tension, stressing that problems should be addressed through dialogues and international law instead of retaliating via words or unilateral acts. He said he expects all parties abide by the existing Declaration on Conduct and encourage nations to make progress on a binding Code of Conduct. 

Sharing the same view, New Zealand Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee said all parties need to settle disputes through diplomatic channels and respect international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Souce: VNA