On September 5, Ambassador Liu Xiaoming attended the lunch discussion held by the Defence Correspondents' Association and delivered a speech entitled Shoulder Common Responsibilities and Bridge the "Peace Deficit". Defence and diplomatic correspondents from the UK's mainstream news media attended, including The Daily Telegraph, The Times, The Guardian, BBC, Sky News, The Independent, The Sun and The Daily Express. Defense Attaché Su Guanghui and Minister Counsellor for Press and Public Affairs Zeng Rong of the Chinese Embassy were present.

Ambassador Liu briefed the participants on China's foreign and national defense policies in his speech. He said, "The world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century. Peace and development remain the theme of our times. But as instabilities and uncertainties are on the rise, the world is far from a tranquil place. With surging hegemonism, unilateralism and populism, incessant regional conflicts and wars, and spreading extremism and terrorism, the international security system and order are under threat. As President Xi Jinping said, the international community is faced with the severe challenge of 'peace deficit'. What can China do to bridge the 'peace deficit'? The answer lies in China's path, concept and mission." That is, China takes the path of peaceful development, follows the New Security Concept and has taken up the mission of safeguarding world peace, the Ambassador further explained.

Ambassador Liu noted that in the 21st century, security issues are becoming increasingly inter-connected, cross-border and diverse. To ensure world peace, the international community must pull together in the same direction and come to each other's aid in times of difficulty. It is China's hope that all countries in the world remain committed to win-win cooperation, equal-footed consultation, exchanges and mutual learning, and oppose zero-sum game, acts of bullying and actions such as lording it over others. It is in the common interests of both China and the UK to safeguard world peace and stability and uphold multilateralism and free trade. The two countries have a sound basis for cooperation on regional and global issues, such as the Iran nuclear issue and climate change. Going forward, China stands ready to work with the UK and other countries in the world to shoulder due responsibilities, to bridge the "peace deficit", and to make greater contribution to world peace and common development.

Ambassador Liu also answered questions raised by the journalists regarding issues like China's national defense construction, post-Brexit China-UK relationship, Huawei and 5G, South China Sea, Hong Kong and Xinjiang-related issues, Iran nuclear issue, Korean Peninsula, Afghanistan, Persian Gulf, China-US relationship, and military relations between big countries.

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British Defence Correspondents' Association is a professional organization composed of defense and foreign policy correspondents from the country's national press and TV. They hold regular events with the UK government and foreign embassies in the UK to exchange views on relevant issues.