The 11th Beijing Xiangshan Forum:
Sayeka Ghosh

Under the theme “Promoting Peace for a Shared Future,” the 11th Beijing Xiangshan Forum took place in Beijing, China, from 12 to 14 September 2024. More than 1,800 participants attended the high-level international security and defence dialogue platform by official representatives of more than 100 countries, international organisations, experts, and scholars from various nations. The forum became a centre for the discussion of global security issues and the development of cooperation in the increasingly complex world of international policy. The Beijing Xiangshan Forum has grown and increased its influence since it began in 2006.
 
What was discussed at the 11th forum?
Firstly, the forum highlighted mutual respect and sincerity in international relations. In his keynote address, the Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun touched on shared interests with a difference in belief, an open and inclusive climate, and win-win cooperation. This ties up with China’s long-held diplomatic philosophy of peaceful coexistence and mutual benefit.
 
Secondly, the forum reiterated that shared responsibilities were present in an inseparable security community. Its discussions revealed that in the problem-solving of its global security concerns, countries must interact with each other and be away from the exclusive paradigms of security. This principle is reflective of the nature of interconnected global security and the involvement of collaborative effort for the sake of peace and stability.
 
The forum was, however, an important one since it brought out other ideas related to the settlement of international conflicts and disputes. Amidst continuous international tensions, delegates urge that confidence be upheld in political resolutions, undertake objective and just stands, and apply fused remedies mitigating not only the symptoms but also the root causes of the conflict. Such an idea harmonises with China’s persistent calls for dialogue and negotiation in the settlement of international disputes. Another tenet propounded is that of a multipolar world order, characterised by equality and order. A central tenet of China’s new international relations vision, this promotes a multipolar world at the expense of a unipolar world-view with a single superpower dominating, it endorses an internationally level-playing-field system whereby countries, irrespective of their size or power, carry equal weight in matters international.
 
China stated its commitment to creating new security relationship modes with armed forces in other countries, places a strong emphasis on complementing security governance in emerging fields, and exercises collective safeguard measures for high-quality development.
 
What is the Global Security Initiative (GSI)?
The concept of the Global Security Initiative (GSI), raised by President Xi Jinping, was the summary of the discussions during the 11th Beijing Xiangshan Forum. As a concept, GSI embodies China’s vision of reshaping the challenges facing global security and enhancing international security governance. Founded on the basics of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security, the GSI advocates for a win-win approach in pursuing complex and interwoven security issues.
 
At its very core, the GSI demands respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations about the purposes and principles of the United Nations (UN) Charter and fully takes into account the legitimate security concerns of all nations. It undoubtedly advances the principle of peaceful settlement of differences through dialogue and consultation, not resorting to one’s security at the cost of others.
 
This effort covers a few priorities of political settlement of the international and regional hot-spot issues and the improvement of global security governance in emerging areas such as AI and outer space. It promotes the central role of the UN in global security affairs and it is addressing traditional and non-traditional security challenges, from terrorism and climate change to public health crises.
 
Since its inception, the GSI has been espoused by over 100 countries and international organisations, thus gaining rapidly rising influence in discursively setting global security work. China has made tremendous efforts in institutionalising the GSI through conflict mediation, engagement in UN peacekeeping missions, and international cooperation over counter-terrorism, climate change, and disaster prevention.
 
The GSI is one of the key drivers for Chinese modernisation, a concept that took on further significance at the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. The session, just ahead of the Beijing Xiangshan Forum, outlined strategic designs for building a community with a shared future for mankind and implementing some of the key global initiatives, including the GSI. Chinese modernisation, as envisioned by Xi, cannot be isolated from peaceful development. Pursuing the GSI, it aims to contribute to world peace and stability, an environment of fewer negative attributes outside of which will be a positive driving force for its internal modernisation processes. It therefore does not run counter to China’s pursuit of modernisation that also serves not only itself but also humanity in general.
 
The GSI advocates for a more equitable and participatory international order conducive to the full realisation of Chinese modernisation. The doctrine strongly advocates for a multipolar world where mutual interests, rights, and responsibilities are shared in security governance. In this regard, China portrays itself as a responsible major power playing an influential role in shaping the new dynamics of the international landscape. Furthermore, the GSI’s scope over the creation of both traditional and non-traditional security covers the overall strategy of China on holistic national development. At the same time, when China engages with the rest of the world on international influence and soft power through active engagement in global security governance that would overcome common problems, its participation in shaping global governance would be enhanced to further implement its modernisation strategy.
 
The further emphasis of the Third Plenary Session on deepening reform and advancing Chinese modernisation further strengthens China’s determination to follow a path of peaceful development. Implementing the GSI, given such determination, is viewed by the People’s Republic as an opportunity through which, in various ways, it can demonstrate that the path of modernisation is not only worthwhile for its citizens but also auspicious for world security and prosperity.

References:
“Xi sends congratulatory letter to 11th Beijing Xiangshan Forum,” Xinhua, 13 September 2024
“第十一届北京香山论坛回顾：展开放包容精神 谋和平安全未来,” Ministry of National Defense of the People’s Republic of China, 19 September 2024
“求和平、谋发展、促合作（环球热点） ——来自第十一届北京香山论坛上的声音（上),” Sina, 19 Septemebr 2024
“Jointly Acting on the Global Security Initiative and Building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind that Enjoys Universal Security,” Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 15 September 2024