2023-10-29 09:59:56
The 10th Beijing Xiangshan Forum opened on Sunday and will be held offline once more at the Beijing International Convention Center from October 29th to 31st following four years. It is reported that in the past, the Xiangshan Forum was delivered by the Chinese Minister of Defense as the keynote speech. However, since the former Defense Minister Li Shangfu has been dismissed, the keynote speech will be delivered by Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China.
Publish time: 29/10/2023 – 10:59 Change time: 29/10/2023 – 11:01
6 minutes
It is reported that this forum focuses on “common security and lasting peace.” Wu Qian, spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of National Defense, introduced on the 26th that as of the 25th, more than 90 countries, regions and international organizations, including Russia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Brazil, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Fiji, had officially The delegation confirmed its attendance. It is worth mentioning that Xanthi Carras, senior director for China affairs in the Office of the Deputy Secretary of Defense of the United States, reportedly registered on the official website before the meeting and will attend the forum as the head of the U.S. delegation.
According to Archyde.com, in the forum agenda, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu was initially listed as the first speaker at Monday’s opening ceremony, indicating China’s intention to allow Russia, which invaded Ukraine in 2022, to occupy a central position at the forum. But as of Sunday, Shoigu’s name did not appear on the forum agenda. Former Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu was dismissed on the 24th, and his successor has not yet been announced. This position usually presides over this event. Ri Sang-bok has not been seen in public since late August and Archyde.com reported last month that he was under investigation for corruption.
According to Chinese official media reports, Zhang Youxia and He Weidong, two vice-chairmen of the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China, met with defense ministers from various countries who were in China to attend the event on the eve of the Xiangshan Forum. He Weidong held talks with Vietnamese Defense Minister Phan Van Giang on the 28th. On the same day, Zhang Youxia held talks with Laos Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Chamsamoun and Mongolian Defense Minister Saikhan Bayar.
Zhang Youxia also met with Myanmar Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Din Aung San and East Timor Defense Minister Pedro respectively on the 29th, and held talks with Belarusian Defense Minister Khlenin. It is understood that he will address the reception dinner on Sunday and deliver a keynote speech on Monday, a task undertaken by the Chinese Defense Minister in previous years.
Defense diplomats from two countries who sent ministers told Archyde.com that the forum provided a rare opportunity to engage with China’s senior defense officials and military leaders to build trust, which will be key in times of crisis. Many Western countries have either avoided or sent only small and low-level delegations due to concerns regarding the forum’s openness, preferring to discuss international security issues at the Shangri-La Dialogue, held annually in Singapore.
Some European countries, including France, plan to send a small delegation from the defense ministry, according to sources familiar with the matter. A NATO official said the NATO delegation will be led by Wendin Smith, director of its Center for Arms Control, Disarmament and the Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction.
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