More than 20 military officials from China, Japan, the Republic of Korea and member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have gathered in north China for a two-day forum on non-traditional security issues.

The forum, in Shijiazhuang, capital of Hebei Province, will focus on capability building of the armed forces in tackling non-traditional security challenges, Zhan Yu, president of Shijiazhuang Army Command College (SACC) of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), told the opening ceremony Tuesday.

Since 2007, the SACC has held an annual workshop or forum for defense officials from ASEAN Plus Three countries to deal with non-traditional security threats.

This year's forum was aimed at enhancing mutual trust and cooperation among ASEAN Plus Three countries, exploring ways of improving capabilities to deal with non-traditional security threats, Zhan said.

With fast response and strong strike capabilities, armed forces that are flexibly commanded and well-equipped could play a crucial role in tackling the non-traditional security threats, said Zhou Bo, an official from China's Defense Ministry, organizer of the forum.

Stronger armed forces cooperation on non-traditional security could deepen collaboration under the framework of the ASEAN Plus Three countries, Zhou said.

Vu Van Khanh, an official from Vietnam's Ministry of Defense, said his country supported the forum and would make joint efforts with other participants to identify effective solutions to respond to the non-traditional security challenges and ensure regional security, stability and prosperity.

The forum coincided with an ASEAN+8 security session which took place Tuesday in Hanoi, Vietnam. The security conference, which focused also on non-traditional security threats, gathered defense chiefs from 18 countries.

ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam while the eight other countries are Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, the ROK and the United States.