BEIJING, December 12 (ChinaMil) – The Nanfang Media Group, a pioneer in establishing defense-themed print media in the new era in China, held the first Southern Defense Forum on December 5, 2013 in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong province. During the forum, the Southern Defense Think Tank was set up.

The Southern Defense Think Tank aims to build a military database, a photo database and a video database, by leverage of which it can release valuable military news and reference for defense affairs, and make itself the top media research body in defense and military strategy studies that connects the media circle with the military and academic research groups.

The forum invited several experts and scholars in national defense, international relations and public diplomacy to conduct discussions and communications.

Gen. Li Qianyuan, former commander of the Lanzhou Military Area Command (MAC) of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), Lt. Gen. Liu Xinzeng, former deputy political commissar of the Guangzhou MAC, Rear Admiral Hou Jian, former director of the Political Department of the South China Sea Fleet of the Navy of the PLA, Maj. Gen. Liu Bangcheng, former deputy director of the Political Department of the Air Force under the Guangzhou MAC, and Professor Qiao Songlou from the National Defense University (NDU) were present at the founding ceremony of the Southern Defense Think Tank.

Lt. Gen. Liu Xinzeng, former deputy political commissar of the Guangzhou MAC, made a speech at the ceremony.

He said that 2013 marks the 60th anniversary of the victory of the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea and he has deep personal feelings about this victory, which, first and foremost, is attributed to correct strategic deployment of Chairman Mao on the war. Speaking of the correct strategic deployment, he said one point should be made clear in the first place, that is, to bring peace and stability to a country, and the ideology is of paramount importance.

At present, the security risks our country faces have loomed larger. To safeguard the national safety and stability, it requires not only the strong leadership of the China National Security Council, but also the important role played by nongovernmental think-tanks, which can offer advice and suggestions to help build consensus.