Identifying terrorism as the region’s most serious security threat, Asean defence ministers agreed yesterday to step up cooperation to fight it, and to conduct their first maritime exercise with China to strengthen regional security.

The ministers also said they would step up practical cooperation through measures including joint exercises and training, explore new ways to collaborate, and work together to counter terrorist propaganda and “promote positive messages of respect, inclusion and moderation”.

The 10 ministers and Asean Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi met behind closed doors, during which they were given briefings by Professor Joseph Liow of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies and Mr Mike Poore, a senior intelligence analyst from the United States.

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