A Chinese expert in international security warned of increased security threats on Wednesday, saying China continues to pursue cooperation with other nations that pursue peaceful development.

In reviewing the international security situation in 2005, Xiong Guangkai, chairman of the China Institute for International Strategic Studies (CIISS), outlined security threats emerging around the world.

Xiong summed up the security threats at the annual conference of his institute by outlining three types of security threats; terrorism is a non-traditional threat while nuclear proliferation is a traditional threat to security, while natural security threats are events such as the Indian Ocean tsunami and a possible bird flu pandemic

To deal with common challenges around the world, the international community has stood united in developing a strategic dialogue and multilateral consultations, Xiong told an audience of more than 100 retired generals, diplomats and experts at the conference.

Pervasive Terrorism

Xiong's research indicates that by the end of the Nov. terrorists has launched 360 attacks an increase of 20 percent over the same period in 2004.

"Terrorism has caused damage around the world including China," he said referring to the terror attack in Jordan's capital Amman.

Three Chinese citizens were killed and one injured on Nov. 9 when terrorists exploded bombs at three hotels in Amman. The Chinese victims were members of a delegation from China's University of National Defense, who were staying at one of the hotels.

Natural Disasters as a Security Threat

Xiong also noted in 2005 that security around the globe was plagued by natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina which swept across Louisiana in the U.S. in October causing more than a thousand deaths and the Oct. 8 earthquake in Pakistan that killed more than 73,000 people and left 3 million homeless.

Nuclear Impasse

In area of traditional security threats countries like the United States, Japan, Russia and India continue to increase defense spending and purchases of advanced weapons, said Xiong.

Meanwhile, Iran and the Democratic People's Republic of Korean (DPRK) continue to threaten the security of the world with their plans to build nuclear weapons, he added.

The six-party talks, aimed at resolving the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, entered the fifth round of negotiations in November. However, no date has been set for the second phase of this round.

"Although the talks have made some progress, the DPRK and the United States remain far apart and the peace talks only plod along," Xiong said.

World Cooperation

Setting aside their differences many countries have increased their cooperation in the security field in the past year, Xiong acknowledged.

The Chinese and U.S. presidents have met five times in 2005, agreeing to combat terrorism, prevent proliferation of nuclear weapons and cooperate on reducing the threat from diseases. The two countries also held two strategic talks this year, said Xiong.

As for Sino-Russian cooperation, the two countries launched a consultation mechanism on national security and carried out close security coordination within the framework of Shanghai Cooperation Organization, a regional organization which also includes Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

Moreover, China and Europe have also shared anti-terrorism intelligence and training for security personnel, said Xiong.

Source: Xinhua