Editor's note: Zheng Haizhen, a special commentator for CGTN, is an assistant researcher at the Department for Global Governance and International Organization Studies, China Institute of International Studies. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.
From September 17 to 19, the 12th Beijing Xiangshan Forum is being held at the Beijing International Convention Center under the theme of "Upholding International Order and Promoting Peaceful Development." This year's forum has confirmed participation from over 100 countries, regions, and international organizations, covering developed countries, emerging major powers, small and medium-sized states, as well as representatives from conflict-affected regions.
An important platform for regional and global security
The Beijing Xiangshan Forum, originally launched in 2006 by the China Association for Military Science as the Xiangshan Forum, was initially a Track 2 platform for Asia-Pacific security dialogue. Since the fifth forum in 2014, it has been upgraded to a Track 1.5 dialogue, significantly elevating its level and scale. The forum is committed to building an equal, open, inclusive and diverse platform for constructive dialogue, with the aim of pooling wisdom, expand consensus and enhancing mutual trust, thereby contributing ideas to address global security and development challenges. Over the past 19 years, the Xiangshan Forum has developed into a high-level dialogue platform on international security and defense with significant global – particularly Asia-Pacific – influence. Commentators have described it as an increasingly important forum for advancing both regional and global security.
Promoting solutions to security governance challenges in Asia and beyond
There are three main reasons why the forum has continued to expand in scale and influence. Firstly, against the backdrop of protracted geopolitical conflicts and deepening deficits in security governance, the Xiangshan Forum provides a much-needed platform for addressing regional and global security challenges. In today's world, unprecedented changes unseen in a century are unfolding at a faster pace, with old and new issues intertwining and fermenting, creating greater instability and uncertainty. In response to such turbulence, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Security Initiative (GSI), pointing the way toward common security and lasting peace. The initiative has received active support from over 100 countries and international organizations. At a time when world peace and development face severe challenges, the call to promote security through cooperation and achieve development through cooperation offers wisdom and strength to safeguard peace and stability. The forum provides a venue for dialogue on regional and global security issues.
Secondly, the Xiangshan Forum gives a voice to the vast number of developing countries, effectively enhancing the representation and role of the Global South in global security governance. Today, amid profound changes in the international landscape and world order, the Global South has become a major strategic force on the world stage, playing an increasingly important role in global governance. Peace and development remain the shared aspiration of Global South countries. Yet many continue to face long-standing barriers to development due to inequality and instability left by colonialism. As the largest developing country and a natural member of the Global South, China has always stood together with other developing countries through thick and thin. By inviting many Global South countries to participate, the Xiangshan Forum demonstrates strong inclusiveness. It sets an important example in practicing true multilateralism and rallying the strength of the Global South.
Thirdly, the forum's broad agenda provides an open platform for discussions on emerging and frontier issues in security governance. This year's forum coincides with the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United Nations and calls on the international community to jointly safeguard the outcomes of the victory and the post-war international order. It also focuses on advancing the Global Security Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative, exploring effective ways to resolve conflicts, and injecting more stability and positive energy into a turbulent world. Topics under discussion include building a just and reasonable global security governance system, enhancing strategic mutual trust and security cooperation in the Asia-Pacific, and safeguarding the post-war order for global peace and stability. Frontier issues such as governance of emerging technologies, the evolution of warfare, and the present and future of arms control are also high on the agenda. By responding to global security hotspots, the forum demonstrates foresight and inclusiveness while providing an open platform for exchanges among experts and scholars.
Standing at a new historical starting point and facing a volatile international landscape, the Beijing Xiangshan Forum will, as always, pool wisdom, expand consensus and enhance mutual trust, making even greater contributions to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific and the world.
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