Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Zhang Qiyue, said that China hopes countries in the Asia-Pacific region will embrace a new security concept based on mutual benefit, mutual trust, equality and cooperation.

Zhang made the remarks at a regular press conference December 7 commenting on the white paper on defense published by the Australian government recently.

"We have not examined the paper yet," Zhang said, adding that "nevertheless, we think that the overall situation in the Asia-Pacific region is stable."

Cooperation and economic development have become the policy preference in the region, she said.

She stressed that countries in the region should increase joint efforts to enhance mutual understanding and trust.

(People’s Daily 12/07/2000)