Xiangshan Forum succeeds in advancing security in dangerous times

Editor's note: Anthony Moretti, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is an associate professor at the Department of Communication and Organizational Leadership at Robert Morris University. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily those of CGTN.

The recently completed 10th Beijing Xiangshan Forum affirmed the importance of global security in these perilous times. Of course, the world's attention is now focused on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine is also not far from people's minds. Other global problems – including lingering disputes on the African continent and the plight of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border – also demand time and attention.

This year's theme, "Common Security, Lasting Peace," remained attuned to China's Global Security Initiative (GSI). China's Foreign Ministry released a concept paper on the GSI earlier this year. That paper noted "the international community is confronted with multiple risks and challenges rarely seen before… The deficits in peace, development, security and governance are growing, and the world is once again at a crossroads in history."

In one of the keynote speeches at the forum, General Zhang Youxia, the vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, advanced that idea. He reminded the audience that came from more than 90 countries, regions and organizations that win-win cooperation is critical to overcoming these challenges. He also noted that certain countries refuse to move past old ideologies that pit one part of the world against another. 

At one point, he said, "We must be highly vigilant about acts of intensifying conflicts, fueling confrontation and making strategic misjudgments."

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu also spoke to the attendees. Focusing on the crisis between his nation and Ukraine, Sergei Shoigu reportedly said, "The Western line of steady escalation of the conflict with Russia carries the threat of a direct military clash between nuclear powers, which is fraught with catastrophic consequences."

The United States was represented at the forum; about a week before the event began, the U.S. confirmed that Xanthi Carras, the country director for China in the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Policy from the Department of Defense, would attend. 

By coincidence, the forum occurred in the immediate aftermath of the meeting between U.S. Secretary Antony Blinken and Wang Yi, a member of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and China's foreign minister, in Washington. During his public remarks made with Blinken at his side, Wang said, "China and the United States need to have dialogue. Not only should we resume dialogue, the dialogue should be in-depth and comprehensive."

Blinken's response? "I agree with what the foreign minister said."

The two men had met earlier this year, when Secretary Blinken was in Beijing. Their past and current conversations could open the door to a possible meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation gathering, which will take place in California in roughly two weeks' time. The presidents spoke via video link last year; any opportunity for them to talk face-to-face would be an important symbol that the relationship between the two nations is improving. Of course, substance would be expected to follow.

China's recent contributions to advancing global peace must be acknowledged here. Beijing was able to bring longtime Middle East rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia to the peace table earlier this year. The powerful image of a top Saudi official and a top Iranian official shaking hands – with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang in between the men – opened eyes. The countries have inched closer to opening embassies in each other's countries amid continuing conversations about regional concerns. Recognizing the depth of animosity that had existed between the two nations, the efforts undertaken by China most certainly mattered. 

Last year, China participated in the inaugural China-Arab States Summit, another sign of Beijing seeking to be a positive change agent. Themes of not interfering with the internal affairs of other nations and advancing win-win economic deals were discussed at the summit.

Al Jazeera astutely noted earlier this year that these and other efforts in the Middle East validate a change in attitudes about China and the United States: "Saying no to America is a very popular stance because the majority believes it is a hypocritical imperial power that pays only lip service to human rights and democracy."

Those concerns about being an "imperial power" could very well be heightened with the Israel-Hamas conflict. The Council on Foreign Relations, an American think tank, reminded its readers just days ago that the U.S. faces a real "public relations crisis" because it appears steadfast in its support for Israel despite seeking regional support for a reduction in tensions.

Put all of this together and China is being looked at evermore seriously as a stabilizing presence in an often conflicted world. 

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