CCTV9英语新闻：ASEAN Disater Relief Exercise: China, Malaysia take lead to boost preparedness

China issued its first white paper on military strategy, stressing the "active defense" guideline and pledging closer international security cooperation. The paper highlights four "critical security domains": the ocean, outer space, cyberspace and nuclear force.

China will unswervingly follow the path of peaceful development and pursue an independent foreign policy of peace and a national defense policy that is defensive in nature, according to the paper.

It is being called the biggest exercise of its kind to ever be held in the region. More than 2,500 participants from 27 countries are expected to take part in the ASEAN regional forum disaster relief exercise in northern Malaysia this week. China is co-organizing the event with Malaysia—the first time it has undertaken such a large-scale joint military-civilian drill overseas.

No region on earth is more prone to natural disasters than Asia. Asia is 20 times more likely to be struck by a natural disaster than North America, and eight times more likely than Africa. 

But while individual countries have improved their preparedness in the wake of disasters like the Asian tsunami, the mechanisms for a coordinated regional response are still lacking.

That is why groups like Malaysia's leading humanitarian aid NGO are welcoming the Asean Regional Forum disaster relief exercises, and looking forward to taking part.

"Every time we’ve had an earthquake or a typhoon generally speaking it’s the Western countries who are first to be on site, but logically speaking it’s actually better for the Asian countries to go on site because we are close to each other and another important thing is that we share a lot of cultural similarities and ethnic similarities," said Dr. Shalimar Abdullah, from Mercy Malaysia.

The exercises will simulate the massive damage to property and infrastructure of a major typhoon. The goal is to improve coordination and preparedness among government agencies, the military, civilian NGOs and multi-lateral organizations such as the UN.

Malaysia is hosting the event as part of its commitments as this year’s ASEAN chairman. China, as co-organizer, is bringing considerable material and expertise, and will boost regional ties in the process.

"China has been involved in several territorial disputes in the region, so by taking in the lead in initiatives like this it helps build up its soft power and it also really shows off what its capabilities are. So it's a net positive for China,” said Keith Leong, analyst, Kra Group.

After a day of table-top exercises and final planning, the field exercises will begin with simulations of landslides, mass flood evacuations, a chemical spill and a maritime accident.