'Lose-lose dynamics?' What to expect from this year's Munich Security Conference

The 60th Munich Security Conference is set to open on Friday in Munich, southern Germany, amidst a turbulent period of geopolitical conflicts and economic uncertainty that could escalate further in 2024.

The three-day conference aims to assess ongoing conflicts and potential security issues, seeking solutions while fostering peace through dialogue.

This year, the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas conflicts, as well as conflicts in the Horn of Africa, are likely to dominate the agenda, according to Munich Security Conference Chairman Christoph Heusgen.

The future of NATO and European defense will also be significant topics of discussion. "We obviously don't just want to paint a dark picture, but rather we will be seeking for the silver lining on the horizon," Heusgen said during a news conference.

Hundreds of high-ranking officials expected to attend the security conference. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will open the conference. Other attendees include China's top diplomat Wang Yi, Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, EU commission president Ursula von der Leyen and government chiefs of Lebanon, Qatar and Iraq, according to Heusgen.

Wang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese foreign minister, will deliver a speech on China's position on major international issues in light of the conference's theme, visit Spain and France, and hold the China-France Strategic Dialogue in France from February 16 to 21, as stated by Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning.

As the world undergoes accelerating changes unseen in a century and enters a new period of turbulence and change, Wang will elaborate on China's propositions for building a community with a shared future for mankind and advocating for an equal and orderly multipolar world at the Munich Security Conference, according to another statement from the foreign ministry spokesperson.

However, an annual report published ahead of this year's Munich Security Conference expressed concerns over the "lose-lose dynamics" amid growing geopolitical tensions and rising economic uncertainty.

The Munich Security Report 2024, released on Monday in Berlin, highlighted that many governments are no longer focusing on the absolute benefits of global cooperation but are increasingly concerned that they are gaining less than others.

Prioritizing relative payoffs may spur lose-lose dynamics, jeopardizing cooperation and undermining the international order, the report warned, expressing fears that as zero-sum mindsets rise, there might be a greater risk of geopolitical tensions and distrust.

The report is designed to serve as a basis for discussion at the global security conference.

(With input from agencies）