CICA summit calls for common, comprehensive, cooperative security

SHANGHAI - Member states of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) vowed Wednesday to seek common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustained security.

In the declaration issued at the fourth summit of the CICA held in Shanghai, the members agreed that, in the context of globalization, security has become an all-encompassing concept with increasingly prominent transnational, comprehensive and interconnected features.

"The countries in the region share common interests and security concerns," the declaration said, adding that no country can stay immune in the face of security problems.

The CICA members reiterated their collective desire to carry forward the spirit of solidarity, cooperation and mutual assistance, respect each other's sovereignty, and seek common development and progress.

They pledged that no state should strengthen its security at the expense of security of other states, emphasizing that no state, group of states or organization can have pre-eminent responsibility for maintaining peace and stability.

The CICA members reaffirmed to respect each other's sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and inviolability of internationally recognized borders, to refrain from the threat or use of force against territorial integrity or political independence of any state in any manner inconsistent with the principles and purposes of the UN Charter.

"We reaffirm ... to uphold resolution of disputes by peaceful means, and not to interfere in the internal affairs of states," the declaration noted, renouncing application of double standards in international affairs.

The CICA members also vowed to advance extensive dialogues across cultures, civilizations and faiths, as well as to promote regional connectivity through people-to-people contacts.

The Shanghai summit drew dignitaries from 47 countries or international organizations. China took over the CICA presidency from Turkey for 2014 to 2016.