MUNICH, Feb. 6 -- Countries need to foster a new vision of addressing security challenges through cooperation, said a top Chinese official in Munich, Germany on Friday.

"We need to pursue cooperative security," said Yang Jiechi, a Chinese State Councilor, at the opening panel of the 51th Munich Security Conference.

"A single line of silk does not make a thread and a single tree does not make a forest," Yang said, "No country, however powerful, can handle today's complex security challenges on its own."

The veteran diplomat said China and the EU have stepped up cooperation with other countries and made effective response to a series of international and regional security challenges.

More than 20 countries, including China and some European countries, are actively engaged in escort missions in the Gulf of Aden. The Chinese and EU fleets conducted two anti-piracy escort exercises. All these efforts have helped maintain navigation security safety in relevant waters, Yang said.

China, European, and other countries also participated in the escort mission for shipping Syrian chemical weapons, playing a positive role in maintaining peace in the region concerned, he added.

On resolving the Iranian nuclear issue, Yang said we face a major opportunity. China is ready to enhance communication and cooperation with relevant parties to work for the early conclusion of a just, balanced and win-win comprehensive agreement.

On the issue of Ukraine, the State Councilor said China calls on all parties to seek peaceful solution through political dialogue and support the international community in making positive efforts towards a political settlement.

"We call on all relevant parties to pursue a political settlement, strengthen inclusive political dialogue, accommodate each other's interests and concerns and seek a comprehensive, balanced and lasting political settlement. China will continue to play a positive and constructive role in pursuit of a political settlement of the Ukraine issue," Yang said.