Senior Colonel Wu Qian, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense (MND) of the People's Republic of China (PRC), answers reporters' questions at a regular press conference on the afternoon of October 26, 2023. (Photo/mod.gov.cn)
Question: Last month, the spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense announced at the regular press conference that the 10th Beijing Xiangshan Forum will take place in Beijing at the end of October.
Wu Qian: As of October 25, official delegations from more than 90 countries, regions and international organizations, including Russia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Brazil, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia and Fiji, have confirmed to attend the forum. There are over 30 ministerial representatives and military chiefs, as well as representatives from international and regional organizations including the Secretary-General of ASEAN, the Vice President of the ICRC, the Secretary-General of the CICA, advisor to the SCO secretariat, and the Arab League's charge d'affaires to China. The numbers of participants and senior officials are both higher than previous years. In particular, there is a big increase in representation from developing countries and international and regional organizations.
This year's forum will focus on the Global Security Initiative (GSI). There will be 4 plenary sessions and 8 simultaneous special sessions. In addition, we will host a high-end dialogue, an expert dialogue, a young officers and scholars seminar and a seminar on the Art of War, and will arrange cultural tours. We hope to see broader and more in-depth discussions at the forum and a greater intelligent contribution to world peace and stability. Preparations for the forum are almost done and the carpets have been rolled out for all the guests.