Due to differences between countries and existing interest conflicts, Yang proposed that Asian countries should start the new security framework through strengthening economic links and cooperation in non-traditional security areas, which will help accumulate mutual trust and minimize hostility. For instance, Yang claimed that China and Japan could start their security cooperation through joint efforts for environmental and energy security.

'One Belt and One Road'

Despite many differences and disputes, most Asian countries have put economic development as their foremost goal in their policy agenda, which observers said has formed the basis for regional cooperation.

Deepening economic cooperation could lay a solid foundation for enhancing political and security cooperation between related nations, Yang said to Beijing Review.

"By incorporating this common goal, the 'One Belt and One Road' initiatives mean that related countries could shelve or even discard their disputes in political and security fields to cooperate with each other in their pursuit of economic development," Yang added.

The "One Belt and One Road" initiatives aim to build a bridge of peaceful development and common prosperity among the peoples of Asia, and linking them to the peoples of other continents. In the next five years, China has pledged to import $10 trillion worth of goods, invest over $500 billion overseas, and send 500 million tourists to other countries. The Chinese Government has also proposed coordination with countries along the proposed belt and road over the development strategies in the process of implementing the initiatives, with a view to creating new economic growth points and job opportunities.

During President Xi's trip to Tajikistan, the Maldives, Sri Lanka and India in September, he also proposed closely knitting China's competitive industries with the geographical features and the development needs of the four countries on the proposed "One Belt and One Road."

Different from the ancient Silk Road, which mainly focused on East-West trade, the China-proposed "One Belt and One Road" could also include the flow of financial elements, information, technology and personnel, said Xia Liping, Dean of the School of Political Science and International Relations at the Shanghai-based Tongji University.

Xia believes the implementation of the "One Belt and One Road" initiatives will help boost mutual trust among related countries, which will consequently promote the building of security cooperation across all of Asia.

"The experience of the ancient silk route demonstrated that countries with different races and cultural backgrounds are fully capable of sharing peace and development," said Luxman Siriwardena, Executive Director of the Pathfinder Foundation of Sri Lanka.

In this respect, China's initiatives to revive the land-based Silk Road and to create a new Maritime Silk Road based on the principles of the ancient trade routes are wholly commendable, Siriwardena added.

Siddhant Raj Pandey, a member of the Board of Directors of the Nepal Institute of International and Strategic Studies, told Beijing Review that a simultaneous revival of the Silk Road in different forms would mean more than just trade. "It could also mean that nations will have a better relationship and peace will automatically come about, because it is opportunity cost," he added.

"China's recent initiatives in building the two Silk Roads will bring substantial benefits to global investment and trade; on the other hand, it encourages exchange and dialogue between countries," Pandey noted.

Mutual learning

As the motto inscribed on the stone wall at the entrance to the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France, says, "Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed." Likewise, Asian thinkers also noted that exchanges and mutual learning among cultures bear huge significance for Asian security cooperation.

Su Hao, Director of the Department of Diplomacy at China Foreign Affairs University in Beijing, noted that mutual understanding and recognition are the first steps for mutual trust, which is in a priority for promoting security cooperation in Asia.

"Many countries in Asia including China are making efforts to deepen mutual understanding between each other like hosting activities commemorating International Day of Peace," Su said to Beijing Review. "Fortunately, there is similarity of values in different Asian cultures featuring harmony, which offers a basis for better intercommunication. Correspondingly, better exchanges and mutual learning can serve as a bond to preserve peace and stability in the continent."

Kogendro Singh, Secretary of the All India Peace and Solidarity Organization, also stressed the power of cultural exchanges in deepening mutual understanding and promoting security cooperation.

Singh said that as Xi has pointed out, culture is imbedded in all aspects of economy, society and institutions and its influence goes beyond time and borders.

"In today's world, people live in a global village. It is an era when different cultures intersect and an era that more than ever requires tolerance and understanding. Exchanges and dialogue are the fundamental way to achieve harmonious coexistence of different cultures and an important foundation of understanding and mutual trust between people," Singh noted. He added that people should approach other cultures with a broad mind, and learn from others by drawing on their strengths.

"We should seek consensus and reduce disputes whenever possible and prevent differences from degenerating into confrontation," Singh said.

Han Fangming, Chairman of the Charhar Institute of China, called for greater attention to peace education in Asian countries in advancing security cooperation.

Han claimed that peace is not only a theoretical concept, but a systematic science with practical significance. According to him, peace education can play a bigger role and attain better effects among teenagers whose values have yet to take shape.

"Therefore, we need to extend the education to middle and primary schools. So the next generation who is currently in schools will be the driving force for future peace building in Asia and the world at large. Only when they are educated on peace, hold peace dear to their hearts, and learn methods to deal with conflicts at a young age, will they understand how to create a 'more peaceful Asia,'" Han said.

Email us at: yulintao@bjreview.com