By Li Wanmei and Peng Kuang
BEIJING, Oct. 26 (ChinaMil) -- As the first event of the 8th Beijing Xiangshan Forum, a seminar for young officers and scholars was successfully held on the afternoon of October 24. More than 50 young military officers, experts and scholars from nearly 20 countries conducted in-depth exchanges on various topics, including promoting regional security and stability and the development of China-US relations.
It is reported that the seminar for young officers and scholars was first held at the 6th Xiangshan Forum. On this platform, Chinese and foreign young officers, experts and scholars exchanged their ideas on many issues, including safeguarding world peace and development, promoting regional security and stability, and enhancing international defense cooperation.
The seminar focused on the impact of great power relations on the world situation. Many delegates believe that it is necessary to have a rational and calm understanding of the current development of great power relations, and that the so-called "New Cold War" is erroneous.
"China and the United States should strengthen exchanges and communication at all levels," stated Lora Saalman Ofner, Vice President of the Asia-Pacific Program at EastWest Institute. "Some issues may be difficult to be resolved for a while, and both parties need be patient."
Chinese and foreign young officers, experts and scholars also mentioned that China and the US should enhance strategic mutual trust from Track One to Track Two, from the official to the private sector, and from the economic culture to the military security field.
According to Senior Colonel Zhao Xiaozhuo, host of this event and a research fellow at the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Academy of Military Sciences, this year’s seminar for Chinese and foreign young officers and scholars had a pragmatic topic and a wide source of participants. The seminar included roundtable discussions and TV debates. The speeches presented by Chinese and foreign young officers, experts and scholars closely followed new changes in the current international security environment and reflected their high concern for the international situation.