Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defense Wei Fenghe on Friday called for unity and cooperation in his speech made at the Defense Ministers' meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Moscow, Russia.

Photo: CGTN

In his speech, Wei highlighted the importance and urgency of building a community with a shared future for mankind as the world is becoming increasingly unstable due to the coronavirus pandemic.

He called for the international community to enhance cooperation in the fight against the coronavirus and work together to get through the difficult time, instead of escalating conflicts.

The Chinese defense minister reiterated China's commitment to peaceful development while stressing that the Chinese army has the determination, capability as well as the confidence to defend its national sovereignty, security and development interests.

Noting this year marks the 75th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, Wei hoped all parties would cherish the hard-earned peace by fully implementing the consensus reached by their leaders, striving for cooperation and contributing to regional and global peace and stability.

Wei made similar remarks during his meeting with his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh on the sidelines of the SCO ministerial meeting to discuss the tensions on the border areas.

It was also the first and highest level of face-to-face talks since the June 15 clash in the Galwan river valley which led to the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers and the most serious tensions since they fought a war in 1962.