A crucial platform for the building of trust

Our world is teetering on the edge of the abyss. Major military actions are unfolding in Europe and the Middle East. Tensions are escalating between conflicting parties in the Red Sea, the South China Sea, and around the island of Taiwan. The primary fuel for these conflicts is the absence of trust between the hostile factions. Western countries, spearheaded by the United States, are swiftly losing their grip on global authority and influence, yet are unwilling to accept this reality. Their pursuit of a unilateral aggressive policy further erodes the fragile trust worldwide.

Responsible leaders must proactively do everything possible to rebuild trust, especially in conflict areas. The cornerstone of trust, however, lies in fostering effective communication among political leaders, promoting dialogue, and encouraging the exchange of ideas among security professionals, media influencers and experts. Using discussion platforms, forums and conferences to address global and regional security issues is not just crucial. It is indispensable. The insights generated from these discussions are the lifeblood of the trust-building process and the key to defusing tensions.

A few well-known discussion platforms have been established to address critical global and regional issues. These include the Munich Security Conference in Germany and the Halifax International Security Forum in Canada, which focus on security issues in Europe and North America. In Asia, the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore and the Beijing Xiangshan Forum provide platforms for open discussions on defense and security matters, with the latter focusing on China.

The 11th Beijing Xiangshan Forum, themed "Promoting Peace for a Shared Future", is not just another event. It is a pivotal moment. Set to take place in Beijing from Sept 12 to 14, this forum will provide Beijing with a platform to present its global strategic vision. It will also offer foreign participants a unique opportunity to better understand China's regional and international security priorities and concerns and to voice their opinions on critical security issues. The event is expected to be a large-scale gathering, with official delegates from over 100 countries, including the US, and numerous international organizations, professionals and academics participating.

The forum's agenda is genuinely comprehensive, as the Chinese interpretation of security extends beyond the fight against the "three forces of evil" — terrorism, separatism and religious extremism — to encompass a broader spectrum, including cybersecurity, as well as financial, economic, infrastructural, information and operational security, and self-sufficient development. This holistic approach is designed to ensure the long-term and harmonious development of the country for many years.

Since its establishment in 2006, the Xiangshan Forum has steadily grown in scale and the level of expertise of the participants has increased. This has given the forum greater authority and popularity. The opportunity to listen to and discuss pressing and often sensitive issues has attracted more high-level security officials and experts, enhancing the understanding of China's security policy and diplomacy priorities. This year's forum covers various topics, including China's achievements in modernization and the application of high-tech solutions to combat modern conflicts. For example, discussions will be held on the use of artificial intelligence in modern weapons and defense activities. The strategic significance of the Xiangshan Forum is constantly growing and becoming more visible. Beijing's willingness to openly discuss its defense strategies contributes to increased trust, positively impacting on the stability in the region and the world.

To enhance the influence of the forum on global and regional security issues, it is essential to acknowledge the intense competition in the security conference market. Several steps can be taken to improve its significance. These include broadening and deepening the forum's agenda to include discussions of sensitive global and regional issues. For instance, it would be beneficial to incorporate presentations on China's defense doctrine, including its defense white paper and military budget. Moreover, more attention should be given to discussions of the trends in the global arms market and China's accomplishments in developing modern, advanced weapons systems. It is also important to invite more countries and influential organizations interested in China's military and technical transparency and encourage the participation of high-level delegations. Additionally, collecting participant feedback to enhance the content of future forums would help in planning similar events.

China's rapid economic growth is one of the most notable examples of the world's transformation in the last half-century. The country is emerging as a significant global player in economy and trade, with the capability to safeguarding its own and regional security.

Naturally, this leads to both healthy and, unfortunately, often unhealthy competition for leadership between major powers. For example, how can one explain the practice by Western countries of trying to contain China? Why would anyone think that the development of one country harms international peace? Unilateral sanctions and other discriminatory trade measures harm consumers and drive up inflation. Everyone can see the difficulties Chinese companies must overcome to promote their goods and services in international markets. However, the more economic problems the country faces, the more creativity it needs to prove its competitiveness. Similar processes will continue to intensify in regional and global security.

China hosts many prestigious international forums focusing on economic, financial and investment issues that garner global attention. The Beijing Xiangshan Forum has the potential to become a compelling platform that leverages global best practices and national wisdom to offer adequate security solutions. The international community, especially the Global South, look to it to play a more vital role in building durable and predictable trust. To ensure the future sustainable development of the Xiangshan Forum, further enhancements should be made to its format, solidifying its position as a crucial global event contributing to the establishment of peace on Earth.

The author is former prime minister of the Kyrgyz Republic and a distinguished professor at the Belt and Road School at Beijing Normal University. The author contributed this article to China Watch, a think tank powered by China Daily.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.

Contact the editor at editor@chinawatch.cn.