China Seeks to Play a New and Bigger Role in Global Security

The Xiangshan Forum, known as the Chinese version of the Shangri-La Dialogue (Asian Security Conference), was held in China, emphasizing the need for multilateral cooperation to contribute more to world peace and security.

Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun stated in a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Xiangshan Forum, “The Chinese military is firmly committed to the global security concept, which includes building new forms of security partnerships and promoting open military cooperation. We are willing to make greater contributions to ensuring joint high-quality development and safeguarding world peace and security.”

Dong continued, “We should respect each other, treat each other with sincerity, find common ground, cooperate for win-win results, and seek ways to live in harmony in the long term. Let us promote security through solidarity and mutual assistance, and seek a new form of security path based on the highest common denominator.”

He also stressed that “in the face of chaos and conflict, we must strengthen trust in political solutions, maintain an objective and fair stance, and jointly advocate for an equal and orderly multipolar world.”

The Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post (SCMP) pointed out that although Dong’s remarks did not directly mention sensitive issues such as Taiwan or the South China Sea or directly criticize the United States, it indirectly criticized the United States by expressing the need to provide positive energy to other parties when intervening in other regional issues.

The Xiangshan Forum, which began in 2006, is the Chinese version of the Asia Security Conference held annually in Singapore. This year, about 1,800 people including representatives from over 100 countries, international organizations, experts, scholars, and observers from each country attended.

It has been five years since the Chinese Defense Minister gave a keynote speech as a host at the Xiangshan Forum in 2019. The in-person event was not held due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and last year, then-Defense Minister Li Sangfu did not attend after being ousted from office on corruption charges.