Forum eyes world peace and stability

Preparations for the 12th Beijing Xiangshan Forum, which is set to open next week, are essentially complete, organizers said on Thursday, adding that the global security conference seeks to explore "effective ways to resolve conflicts" and "inject more stability into a world intertwined with chaos".

Wu Jian'gang, an official from the forum's organizing committee, announced at a news conference that as of Wednesday, defense leaders and representatives from more than 100 countries — including Russia, Ukraine, the United States, Pakistan and Iran — as well as international and regional organizations, had confirmed their attendance.

According to Wu, among the attendees are 33 defense ministers or chiefs of staff. Representatives of international and regional organizations include the undersecretary-general of the United Nations, the secretary-general of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the vice-president of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

"The forum has garnered global attention and received positive responses from various sectors worldwide," Wu said, adding that about 1,800 participants, observers and media professionals have registered for the event.

As of Wednesday, more than 200 experts and scholars, all former senior military and political officials, from 51 countries and regions had confirmed their participation, marking a notable rise in the number of such participants compared with previous years, Wu said.

Participants include former foreign ministers of France and Ukraine and former US deputy assistant secretary of defense Chad Sbragia.

"The forum invites representatives from developed countries, emerging countries, small and medium-sized countries and countries involved in regional conflicts such as Russia, Ukraine, Iran, Israel and Palestine," Wu said. "Thus, the forum reflects the values of openness and inclusiveness by inviting representatives from all sides."

The forum, co-hosted by the China Association for Military Science and the China Institute for International Strategic Studies, is themed "Upholding International Order and Promoting Peaceful Development".

The theme calls on the international community to safeguard the achievements of the World Anti-Fascist War and the post-war international order, as 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of both the victory in the war and the founding of the UN, Wu said.

The forum also aims to highlight common values such as peace and development, explore ways to resolve conflicts, and advance the Global Security Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative to "inject more stability and positive energy into a world intertwined with chaos", Wu said.

The three-day conference from Sept 17 to 19 will feature four plenary sessions focusing on building a just and reasonable global security governance system, enhancing strategic trust and security cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region, and maintaining the postwar international order, according to the organizers.

Eight parallel breakout sessions will address topics such as major power relations, Asia-Pacific security cooperation, political solutions to regional conflicts, emerging technology governance and the evolution of warfare. Several closed-door academic seminars are also scheduled.

Luo Xi, a researcher at the People's Liberation Army Academy of Military Science, said the forum also coincides with ongoing conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine crisis and Israel-Iran tensions, heightening global attention on issues of conflict and security.

Therefore, Luo said, the forum has invited more than 1,800 participants to discuss peace and conflict-related topics in search of feasible solutions.

"It's hoped that through academic exchanges, we can positively explore paths to resolving regional conflicts," Luo said.

The organizers said the forum will also hold two special briefings, one on the Chinese military's participation in UN peacekeeping operations and another on the Chinese navy's role in international humanitarian medical missions.