Xiangshan Forum's prescription for world peace

Note: The following article is taken from the Chinese-language "Commentaries on International Affairs."

Launched in 2006, the Xiangshan Forum has become a premier regional multilateral platform to discuss Asia-Pacific security and defense issues. This year's forum drew more than 600 military personnel and political representatives, including 23 defense ministers. A total of 76 delegations from various countries and international organizations attended the forum, which makes the event the largest of its kind since it was launched. It reflects the urgent need all countries have to maintain peace and stability.

The 9th Xiangshan Forum was held from October 20 to 22, 2019 in Beijing. [Photo: IC]

In his congratulatory letter presented at the opening of the forum, President Xi Jinping said China used dialogue to facilitate cooperation, and peace and development are sustained through cooperation. He stressed that “when facing complex security threats, nations should unite and uphold global order with the United Nations as its core.” This is very important, especially at a time when some countries are challenging the established international rules as they believe those rules no longer suit their own interests, despite the fact that these rules have shaped the world and are a powerful guarantee for the stability and development of international society. China’s stance won recognition from the multilateral organization. United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Field Support, Atul Khare, said at the Xiangshan Forum that China has played a very critical and a very important role in UN peacekeeping operations and helped to promote the stability of the international community.

As humanity progresses through the 21^st century, outdated Cold War thinking and zero-sum games should be replaced by equality, mutual trust, cooperation and mutual benefit. Countries should forge partnerships of dialogue instead of confrontation and of friendship rather than alliances. In his letter, President Xi stressed that nations should continue to optimize security partnerships, a suggestion that may help countries resolve differences and contradictions through dialogue, thus injecting positive momentum into safeguarding world peace.

What’s worth mentioning is U.S. officials’ view on decoupling with China. At the Xiangshang Forum, they stated that instead of decoupling, the United States needs to deepen cooperation with China in some fields. The statement is very positive, as stable cooperation between the world’s two major military powers will be conducive to world peace and forging a win-win security partnership.

President Xi also noted the importance of creating security mechanisms that are suitable for the region's development and situation as security threats in Asia-Pacific are diverse, multi-faceted, intertwined and extremely complex. It’s increasingly important to manage the risks and contain any crises. That’s why China has been sparing no effort in building a security framework that’s compatible with regional integration and accepted by all the countries involved. Efforts have been made in such areas as promoting consultations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea and establishing a multilateral security dialogue cooperation mechanism. The Xiangshan Forum itself is another good example China has set in establishing an open, equal and constructive dialogue platform for building a security framework that is more in line with the actual situation in the region.

Looking back at the past seven decades, a key factor that has led to both China and the Asia-Pacific region achieving fast development is a peaceful and stable environment. As China is committed to a new vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security and a defensive national defense policy, the country will remain a major force in defending global order and promoting world peace and stability.