21.   Beijing has refused to return the five so far and insisted that the soldiers acted with the consent of consulate staff to safeguard security at the consulate.

22.   Meanwhile, Lee justified plans to acquire more advanced weaponry to safeguard its security because China had never renounced the use of military force against it.

23.   New Delhi denies it plans to make nuclear weapons but argues it needs to keep the option open to safeguard its security.

24.   Philippine Foreign Undersecretary Rodolfo Severino summoned Chinese ambassador Guan Deng Ming Monday and told him Beijing should exercise restraint to safeguard regional security.