The 11th Beijing Xiangshan Forum: Peace in Turbulence
Global Security Challenges Amidst Technological Disruption
The 11th Beijing Xiangshan Forum 2024 from September 12 to 14, 2024 at the Beijing International Convention Center is a high level security and defence conference. The theme for this year is “Promoting Peace for a Shared Future”, reflecting a commitment to addressing global security challenges through dialogue and cooperation. Plenary sessions include topics such as “Security Cooperation and Asia-Pacific Prosperity and Stability”, “Multipolarity and the Evolving International Order” and “‘Global South’ and World Peaceful Development” covering issues such as “ASEAN and Security Architecture of Asia-Pacific” and “Maintaining Northeast Asian Security.”1
The forum was well attended by over 1,800 participants from over 100 countries and international organisations. Among which, there are over 30 defence ministers and military chiefs and representatives from NATO, the EU and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisations.2
China’s Vision for Global Security Dialogue
A key aspect of the forum is to provide a platform for voices often under represented in international security discussions, particularly those from developing nations and the Global South3. This is in line with China’s advocacy for a more equitable international order and its emphasis on multilateralism (e.g. global development initiative and global security initiative) over unilateralism.
China’s advocacy for a more equitable international order is characterised by its strong commitment to fostering cooperation among nations, particularly in support of developing countries. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) for example, aims to enhance connectivity and economic cooperation among participating countries. Positioning itself as leader among developing nations and advocating for their interests in international forums, China seeks to enhance the representation of these countries in global decision-making processes.45
The forum’s structure and plenary sessions on the aforementioned topics, and special sessions on regional security architectures, demonstrates an attempt to address both immediate security concerns and longer term strategic issues. This approach reflects China’s vision of a “common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security.” Notably, the forum’s inclusivity, as evidenced from the increased participation from developed countries and emerging powers. This diversity showcases a strength that could potentially contribute to more balanced and comprehensive discussions on global security issues.
A significant portion of the forum’s discussions revolved around security dynamics in the Asia-Pacific region, with particular emphasis on China-U.S. relations and their impact on regional stability. Chinese experts consistently pointed out to the U.S. policy of viewing China as a strategic competitor as the root cause of tensions. They argued what they perceived as America’s all-encompassing pressure on China, negative competitive tactics, and the “small yard, high fence” strategy as fundamental obstacles to improving bilateral relationships. In contrast, American participants, expressed concerns over China’s actions in Hong Kong, the South China Sea, and the Taiwan Strait viewing these as challenges to the U.S. position in the Indo-Pacific.
In a rare occurrence, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine brought together representatives from Russia, NATO, and Ukraine in a single dialogue session. The heated exchanges between parties highlighted the entrenched positions surrounding the conflict. NATO representatives condemned Russia’s actions as aggressive and inhumane, while Ukrainian participants emphasised the existential struggles of the country. This segment highlighted the complex interplay of historical narratives, security perceptions, and the role of external powers in European security. That representatives from both NATO and Ukrainian acknowledged the crucial role of the United States in resolving the conflict, underscores the global nature of what might be ostensibly seen as a regional issue. But of course, the ongoing conflict could no longer be seen as regional dispute given the broad implications it has had. NATO has consistently emphasised the importance of collective defence and stated that the security of Ukraine is integral to the security of Euro-Atlantic sea, so this reinforces the idea that the conflict is one that engages multiple nations and alliances. While the U.S. involvement was driven by strategic interests, it nevertheless reflects a broader commitment to multilateralism in addressing security threats.
Another significant focus of the forum was the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into military operations, as used in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The deployment of AI-enabled drones, autonomous vehicles, and cruise missiles marked a new phase in warfare. The transformative impact of AI can be seen in a wide range of uses - from target identification and decision making support to network and electronic warfare, The use of AI in satellite image analysis and the creation of “kill chains” through integrated information systems demonstrated its capacity to alter the balance of power in conflicts. The forum also highlighted the risks associated with AI in military applications with concerns raised on the potential of AI in autonomous decision-making in weapon systems, the trustworthiness of AI algorithms, and the challenges of maintaining human control over AI-enabled weaponry.
Beyond AI, the forum also addressed broader implications of emerging technologies on global security. Discussions covered areas such as synthetic biology; both the potential and unforeseen risks they present. Experts stressed the importance of proactive governance and ethical considerations in the development of such technologies and there was consensus on the importance of establishing safety standards and ensuring emerging technologies benefit humanity rather than exacerbate security risks.
The Path Forward
A key take away from the forum was the urgent need for enhanced international cooperation in managing security challenges posed by emerging technologies. The following areas for actions were emphasised:
Multilateral agreements to mitigate AI security risks, for both defence and civilian applications.
Continued dialogue between major players particularly China and the U.S., on AI governance and risk management.
Development of international standards and ethical guidelines for the use of AI and other emerging technologies in military contexts.
Increased transparency and trust-building measures in the development and deployment of advanced military technologies.
The Beijing Xiangshan Forum has demonstrated its value as a venue for frank, inclusive discussions on global security challenges. As the world navigates the complexities of a new technological era, such platforms for dialogue and cooperation will be more crucial than ever in shaping a peaceful and secure future for all.
This article is mainly based on the reports from Guancha, thePaper, and Globaltimes and references other reports.