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Pakistan Studies/Against the backdrop of growing geopolitical tensions and increasing uncertainty around the world, voices calling for dialogue, cooperation, and peaceful solutions have once again drawn global attention.
From the Russia-Ukraine conflict and India-Pakistan tensions to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a series of regional crises dominated discussions at the 11th Beijing Xiangshan Forum, held from September 12 to 14, 2024, in Beijing.
Hosted by the China Association for Military Science and the China Institute for International Strategic Studies, the forum brought together more than 1,800 participants, including official delegations from over 100 countries and international organizations, as well as representatives from defense authorities, think tanks, universities, and international institutions.
Under the theme “Building Peace Together, Sharing a Future Together,” the forum provided an open platform for dialogue on global security challenges and explored pathways toward a more stable international security order.
The 11th Beijing Xiangshan Forum was marked not only by a spirit of dialogue and cooperation but also by candid discussions on some of the world’s most pressing security challenges.
Rather than avoiding disagreements, participants openly addressed major conflicts and security concerns, seeking common ground through communication and exchange.
Throughout keynote speeches, high-level interviews, and panel discussions, international representatives frequently referred to major geopolitical flashpoints, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict, India-Pakistan relations, and the Israeli-Palestinian issue.
Russian Deputy Defense Minister Colonel General Alexander Fomin stated that the Palestinian-Israeli conflict had become one of the major sources of international tensions and called for efforts toward resolving disputes through political means.
Scholars from Singapore noted that unilateral actions by major powers had generated concerns among many countries and emphasized the importance of inclusive approaches to international security.
Regarding South Asian security, Pakistan’s Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, highlighted the urgency of addressing the Kashmir issue and preventing misunderstandings or miscalculations between two nuclear-armed countries.
Former Ukrainian First Deputy Foreign Minister Oleksandr Chalyi said that ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict required an end to hostilities, the establishment of mechanisms for ceasefire, and the restoration of diplomatic dialogue.
Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong emphasized that China has consistently supported the proper resolution of international disputes, advocating respect for legitimate security concerns of all countries and encouraging dialogue and consultation as the means to resolve differences peacefully.
Commenting on the forum’s willingness to address difficult global issues, Azerbaijani military representative Jabrayilov described the approach as “excellent,” noting that building a peaceful international security order requires providing all parties with opportunities to discuss peace.
Beyond frank discussions on conflicts, another significant impression from the forum was the international community’s expectations for China to continue contributing to peace, stability, and global governance.
Many participants highlighted the importance of responsible major-power relations and cooperation in addressing common challenges.
Speaking at the forum, Major General Jone Kalouniwai, Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, emphasized that positive China-US relations would create favorable conditions for development and stability in the South Pacific region.
When discussing the future of Asia-Pacific security mechanisms, Indonesian scholars pointed out the complex situation faced by regional countries amid competition among major powers. They expressed hope that China and other regional stakeholders could play a constructive role in maintaining peace and stability.
A Singaporean scholar stressed that avoiding confrontation between China and the United States serves the interests of the international community. Cooperation between the two countries, even in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, could generate positive outcomes for the world.
Chinese military scholar Nie Songlai summarized China’s position on regional security cooperation in three key points:
First, China remains committed to peaceful development and firmly supports peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region.
Second, China advocates cooperation and respects the legitimate security concerns of all countries.
Third, regional countries should work together, properly manage differences, prevent conflicts, and pursue common development.
He noted that China’s commitment to peaceful development represents a major source of stability and certainty amid global uncertainty.
Peace is the foundation of development, and the experience of Asia over recent decades demonstrates the importance of a stable security environment.
At a forum session on “ASEAN and the Asia-Pacific Security Architecture,” Fu Ying, former Vice Foreign Minister of China, reflected on her first visit to Cambodia in 1992.
She recalled that Cambodia and many other Southeast Asian countries had transformed from periods of conflict and hardship into economies with vitality and growth opportunities, largely because of the peaceful environment created through regional cooperation.
Fu Ying noted that over the past three decades, ASEAN economies have achieved remarkable growth, with collective GDP increasing significantly. The region’s people have been able to focus on economic development, improving livelihoods, and expanding cooperation rather than being trapped in cycles of conflict and instability.
Singaporean scholar Chua Cheng Hock shared a similar view, stating that China has played a constructive role in supporting peace and development in the Asia-Pacific region. According to him, regional stability over the past decades has provided favorable conditions for Southeast Asia’s rapid economic growth.
Beyond ASEAN and the wider Asia-Pacific region, Pakistan, as China’s long-standing friend and all-weather strategic cooperative partner, has also benefited from China’s neighborhood diplomacy based on the principles of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness.
China-Pakistan cooperation has become an important example of how connectivity and economic development can contribute to regional stability.
During an interview at the Beijing Xiangshan Forum, Pakistani scholar Talat Shabbir spoke highly of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), describing it as an opportunity that has “opened a new door for development” for Pakistan.
He noted that CPEC has brought significant changes to Pakistan’s economy and society by improving infrastructure connectivity, supporting energy development, creating employment opportunities, and promoting industrial cooperation.
General Sahir Shamshad Mirza also emphasized the special nature of China-Pakistan friendship, describing the relationship as being “higher than mountains, deeper than oceans, and stronger than blood ties.”
He stated that CPEC is not only important for Pakistan’s economic development but also serves as a significant stabilizing factor for South Asia by promoting regional connectivity, economic integration, and shared development.
Through cooperation in infrastructure, energy, agriculture, industry, education, and technology, China and Pakistan have continued to deepen practical cooperation and create opportunities for people in both countries.
In a world facing multiple crises and uncertainties, participants at the Beijing Xiangshan Forum emphasized that dialogue, cooperation, and mutual understanding remain essential pathways toward peace.
The forum demonstrated that while differences among countries may exist, communication can help reduce misunderstandings, manage disagreements, and identify areas of cooperation.
Chinese military scholar Meng Xiangqing noted that no single dialogue platform can solve all global security challenges. However, platforms such as the Beijing Xiangshan Forum can make meaningful contributions by:
The forum’s discussions reflected a broader international recognition that lasting peace cannot be achieved through confrontation or division, but through dialogue, respect, and cooperation.
Today, the international community is facing complex challenges, including geopolitical tensions, regional conflicts, economic uncertainty, and emerging security threats.
Against this background, the Beijing Xiangshan Forum has provided an important platform for countries to exchange views, share perspectives, and explore practical solutions.
The forum highlighted a common message: peace and development are closely connected, and security challenges in one region can have global consequences.
As countries navigate an increasingly interconnected world, strengthening communication, promoting trust, and expanding cooperation remain essential for building a more stable and prosperous future.
The pursuit of peace requires collective efforts. Differences should be managed through dialogue, conflicts should be addressed through negotiation, and development opportunities should be shared through cooperation.
As participants emphasized during the forum, although the road toward global peace remains challenging, continued dialogue and cooperation provide hope for a safer and more peaceful world.
