Chinese Beijing Xiangshan Forum Commences Amidst Global Tensions
The Beijing Xiangshan Forum, China’s largest annual military diplomacy showcase, has kicked off in Beijing. This year, however, the forum is taking place without a defense minister, who typically hosts the event. China aims to utilize the forum to promote President Xi Jinping’s vision for a safer world and forge stronger bonds with developing nations. Nonetheless, China is facing heightened coordination between the United States and its allies, who are working together to curb China’s military ambitions.
Of particular note at the forum is the prominent presence of Russia, even as it faces criticism for starting a war in Ukraine in 2022. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu is listed as the first guest speaker at the opening ceremony on Monday. In contrast, the United States has sent a delegation led by Xanthi Carras, China Country Director in the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense.
This year’s forum is being held at a challenging time for China as it lacks a defense minister, whose primary responsibility is to engage with foreign militaries. Just last week, Beijing dismissed Defense Minister Li Shangfu without naming a replacement. Reports state that Li, who has been missing for two months, was being investigated for corruption.
In the absence of the defense minister, senior Chinese military leaders have stepped in to fill the void. According to state media, Zhang Youxia and He Weidong, ranked second and third in the military hierarchy, respectively, held separate bilateral meetings with the defense ministers of Laos, Mongolia, and Vietnam on Saturday.
This year’s forum has seen a significant increase in the number and rank of foreign participants, including 22 defense ministers and 14 military chiefs. These numbers are the highest since the forum’s inception in 2006. China is focusing its outreach on the Global South, aiming to rally developing nations against bloc confrontation and what it perceives as a Cold War mentality often attributed to the West.
However, there are concerns about the forum’s openness. Many Western nations have either declined to attend or are sending small and low-level delegations. These countries prefer to discuss international security matters at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.
Despite doubts, the forum offers a rare opportunity for defense officials and military leaders from different nations to engage, build trust, and establish valuable connections that could prove vital in times of crisis.
France and other European countries plan to dispatch small delegations from their defense ministries, according to insider sources. NATO’s delegation will be led by Wendin Smith, its security policy director.
The Beijing Xiangshan Forum is a significant platform for dialogue and cooperation in the realm of military diplomacy. While China strives to project its vision for global security, it remains to be seen whether the absence of a defense minister will impact its efforts to strengthen relationships and navigate the complex landscape of international tensions.
Keywords: Beijing Xiangshan Forum, China, defense minister, global tensions, military diplomacy, President Xi Jinping, developing countries, United States, Russia, Ukraine, opening ceremony, delegation, corruption, senior military leaders, bilateral meetings, Global South, bloc confrontation, Cold War mentality, Western nations, Shangri-La Dialogue, France, NATO.
