China says it is not a threat to peace in Asia

SINGAPORE – China’s defense minister says China is not a threat to peace in Asia and will never seek military conquest.

General Liang Guanglie says China’s military is developing new capabilities, but that it is defensive in nature and meant to protect the country’s sovereignty.

He says China is pushing for an early resumption of stalled six-nation North Korea nuclear disarmament talks that involve the two Koreas, Japan, China, Russia and the U.S.

Liang made the comments in a speech Sunday at an Asian security conference in Singapore. He’s the highest-ranking Chinese military official to attend the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue, now in its 10th year.