Wednesday, July 19 2006 13:45 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Beijing: More than 30 senior defence officers of China and the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Tuesday gathered in Beijing to discuss Asia-Pacific regional security.

"The first-ever workshop between Chinese and ASEAN defence departments aims at probing into the security opportunities and challenges facing China and ASEAN countries in Asia-Pacific region," said Jia Xiaoning, deputy director of Foreign Affairs Office of the Chinese Defence Ministry.

The four-day workshop will cover a wide range of topics, ranging from China and ASEAN influences on Asia-Pacific security, east Asian maritime security cooperation to militaries' role in international humanitarian aid, anti-terror and peace-keeping operations.

While hailing enhanced cooperation between the armed forces in China and ASEAN countries, Jia said, "This workshop will particularly explore the prospects and ways to promote military and security cooperation between China and ASEAN countries."

"China and ASEAN have more and more common security interests during the process of the regionalisation," said Han Feng, deputy director of the Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

As this year marks the fifteenth anniversary of the establishment of China-ASEAN dialogue, a series of commemorative events has been planned and launched, including the ongoing security workshop.

ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.