Beijing, (TDI): The Beijing Xiangshan Forum, China’s premier security and defense gathering, commenced on Thursday with a focus on addressing critical global challenges.
The event, themed “Promoting Peace for a Shared Future,” has drawn a record number of participants from over 100 countries and international organizations, underscoring its growing importance in global security discourse.
The 11th edition of the forum, scheduled from Thursday to Saturday, is being attended by over 500 representatives from official delegations, alongside more than 200 Chinese and international experts and scholars.
This year’s gathering has set a new benchmark in terms of participation, with more than 30 defense ministers and military chiefs, along with high-ranking officials from international and regional organizations, joining the discussions.
The forum began with a series of high-level interviews that delved into topics such as the Global Security Initiative, security in the Asia-Pacific region, China-US relations, and the role of the Global South.
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The organizers highlighted that the number and diversity of participants this year have surpassed all previous editions, reflecting the event’s expanding influence.
The opening day also saw multiple discussions, not only on regional security matters, including the Asia-Pacific, China-US relations, and European security but also on broader global perspectives.
Young military officers and scholars from various countries engaged in a seminar to explore solutions to international conflicts, while experts debated the implications of artificial intelligence on security.
Forum’s Importance
John Richard Waters III, managing director for the China Practice at Eurasia Group and a former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the US, emphasized the forum’s significance, noting the rare opportunity it presents for dialogue among military officials, experts, and scholars from diverse backgrounds.
Attila Demkó, head of the Centre for Geopolitics at Mathias Corvinus College in Hungary, described China as a pivotal player in global security, stating that the forum provides a platform to understand China’s stance on key issues, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
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Lawrence Freeman, a political economic analyst focused on Africa, echoed these sentiments, praising China’s vision of fostering a community with a shared future for humanity.
He highlighted China’s initiatives aimed at economic modernization, agricultural development, and enhancing living standards as vital objectives shared by all nations.
Over the next two days, the forum will host four plenary sessions addressing topics such as Security Cooperation and Asia-Pacific Prosperity, Multipolarity and the Evolving International Order, Global South and World Peaceful Development, and International Mechanisms for Global Security Governance.
Additionally, eight special sessions will explore specific security issues related to ASEAN, Northeast Asia, Europe, the Middle East, China-US relations, emerging technologies, arms control, and humanitarian crises.
