June.04 (China Military News cited from Xinhua) -- The development of China's national defense capabilities is not aimed at challenging, threatening or invading any other country, but to maintain its own security, a senior Chinese military official said here on Saturday.

Ma Xiaotian, deputy chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army pointed out at the 9th International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Asian Security Summit that some people still view China's development with suspicion, worrying that China will seek expansion and hegemony when it becomes strong, as some western countries did.

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"The development of China's national defense capabilities is not aimed at challenging, threatening or invading any other country, but at, first and foremost, maintaining its own security, " Ma said.

Ma noted that every country should combine its own interests of its own people with shared interests of people around the world, and its own national security with the common security with the international community.

Only common development can guarantee sustainable development for all, and only common security is truly sustainable security, which has been implemented by China in the practice of foreign strategy, Ma said.

"We believe maintaining security in the Asia-Pacific region serves China's interest, and it is also China's responsibility," Ma said, adding that China has the responsibility to make greater contribution to regional peace and prosperity and it is willing to do so.

The 9th International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Asian Security Summit, the Shangri-La Dialogue, is held in Singapore from June 4-6. Delegations from 28 countries and regions, with more than 300 delegates including defense ministers, chiefs of defense staff, and other senior security policy-makers, attended the summit.