In an era marked by geopolitical uncertainty and escalating global threats, the 12th Beijing Xiangshan Forum opened in Beijing on the Chinese mainland with a clear mission: to champion dialogue over confrontation and reshape how nations address security challenges.
Under the theme "Upholding international order and promoting peaceful development," the forum brings together defense experts, diplomats and security specialists from around the world. Since its launch in 2006, Xiangshan has tracked the shift from Cold War-style deterrence doctrines to a broader security agenda that now spans territorial disputes, great-power rivalries and non-traditional threats like pandemics, cyber attacks and climate crises.
The urgency of such collaboration is underscored by recent global events. The Russia-Ukraine conflict has disrupted 30 percent of global wheat supplies, hitting food security in Africa and the Middle East. A 50 percent surge in energy prices in 2022 fueled record inflation across Europe, while the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has displaced millions and left nearly half the population facing severe food shortages, according to the United Nations.
Meanwhile, attacks on shipping lanes in the Red Sea have disrupted close to 12 percent of global trade flows, causing insurance premiums for Suez Canal transits to soar by 300 percent. By creating neutral channels for communication, forums like Xiangshan aim to de-escalate tensions before they spiral into wider crises.
Non-traditional security issues now share equal billing with defense topics on the Xiangshan agenda. The COVID-19 pandemic made it clear that even the most powerful militaries cannot shield people from health emergencies. Since 2022, the COVAX program has delivered over 2 billion vaccine doses to 146 countries, narrowing the gap in global pandemic response.
Climate change adds another urgent layer. Pakistan's 2022 floods submerged one-third of the country and affected 33 million people. Europe endured its hottest summer on record in 2023, resulting in more than 50,000 heat-related deaths. Wildfires in Canada destroyed over 18 million hectares that same year, sending pollution across the Atlantic and impacting cities in the United States.
These examples highlight why international security must expand its focus beyond traditional military frameworks. Through inclusive dialogue and shared responsibility, the Xiangshan Forum offers a blueprint for tackling global challenges in an interconnected age, fostering pathways to peace and stability that go beyond zero-sum thinking.
Reference(s):
Beijing Xiangshan Forum: Upholding int'l security through dialogue
cgtn.com
