Leaders from Chinese and ASEAN defense ministries and official from the ASEAN Secretariat pose for a group photo on October 16, 2015. [Photo: China Military Online ]

Defense chiefs from China and ASEAN countries have sat down for an informal meeting in Beijing to discuss security cooperation.

Main topics at the first-of-its-kind meeting have included management of potential conflicts, as well as ways to help build-up trust.

Chinese officials have forwarded a series of proposals, including a joint exercise in the South China Sea in 2016.

Defense Minister Chang Wanquan says the drills would be mainly focusing on unexpected encounters on the sea, as well as countering piracy and terrorism.

"Dialogues and cooperation in the area of defense and security are a major part of China-ASEAN strategic partnership. China and the ASEAN should stick to the direction of cooperation and development, strengthen our strategic partnership and make joint contributions to build a China-ASEAN community of common destiny."

China also proposes the establishment of a defense hot line among China and ASEAN countries.

China and a majority of the 10-member states of the Association of South East Asian Nations, ASEAN, surround the South China Sea, which is one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.