Singapore, Jun 5 (IANS): China's defence capabilities are not aimed at challenging, threatening or invading any other country but to maintain its own security, a senior Chinese military official said Saturday.

Some people still view China's development with suspicion, worrying that it will seek expansion and hegemony when it becomes strong, Ma Xiaotian of the People's Liberation Army said at the ninth International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Asian Security Summit.

"The development of China's national defence capabilities is not aimed at challenging, threatening or invading any other country, but, first and foremost, maintaining its own security," Xinhua quoted Ma as saying.

Ma said that every country should combine the interests of its own people with shared interests of people around the world, and its own national security with the common security with the international community.

Only common development can guarantee sustainable development for all, and only common security was truly sustainable security, Ma said.

"We believe maintaining security in the Asia-Pacific region serves China's interest, and it is also China's responsibility," Ma said.

China had the responsibility to make greater contribution to regional peace and prosperity and it was willing to do so.

The summit, the Shangri-La Dialogue, is being held in Singapore from June 4-6.

Delegations from 28 countries and regions, with more than 300 delegates including defence ministers, chiefs of defence staff and other senior security policy makers, are attending the summit.