Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao held a meeting on Thursday with foreign military officials participating in the fifth Xiangshan Forum in the Chinese capital of Beijing.
Speaking at the forum, where discussions on security in the Asia-Pacific region are being held, Li asserted that peace and accord have been at the center of China's development plans and actions.
The official also said during the conference, which began on Thursday and will conclude on Saturday, that the country has always championed peace and stability in the region and the world.
Following Asia's development, which has caught global attention, the region now requires security for its progress, Li said, addressing delegations that included defense heads from Malaysia, Maldives and Kyrgyszstan.
The vice president also expressed China's willingness to collaborate with other countries in enhancing cooperation in security and hurdling challenges in order to forge security and development among all countries.
The Xiangshan Forum was initiated and is facilitated by the China Society of Military Sciences.
Starting as a biennial conference in 2006, the forum will become an annual event starting this year.
Yuan Zhiming, head of the forum's preparation committee, said that this year's forum will be elevated from the usual purely academic event to a top-line security and defense conference to address the need for a cooperation in security and adjust to the evolving security environment in the Asia-Pacific region.
Representatives from 57 countries are expected to be participating in this year's Xiangshan Forum.