China's Defence Ministry Announces 13th Xiangshan Security Forum Scheduled for Mid-September
Summary
China's Ministry of National Defense has officially announced that the 13th Beijing Xiangshan Forum will take place from September 15 to 17, 2026, at the Beijing International Convention Center, as confirmed by MND spokesperson Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang. Operating under the theme "Build Consensus on Stability, Advance Security Governance Together," the forum will feature four major plenary sessions addressing critical global security issues, including international strategic stability, localized conflicts, Asia-Pacific security risks, and the growing role of developing nations in global security affairs. Eight parallel sessions will also be conducted, covering topics such as major-power relations, maritime security governance, military applications of emerging technologies, and outer space security trends, reflecting the broad and evolving scope of modern defence challenges. Coinciding with the forum, the 4th China-Africa Peace and Security Forum will be held simultaneously, signaling China's strategic effort to strengthen security partnerships across the African continent. Marking its 20th anniversary, the Beijing Xiangshan Forum has evolved from a Track 2 think-tank exchange into a prominent Track 1.5 international security dialogue platform, with China inviting global defence leaders, military representatives, international organization officials, and scholars to participate.
Key Takeaways
- 1. **Strategic Positioning:** The Xiangshan Forum's elevation to a Track 1.5 platform demonstrates China's deliberate effort to establish itself as a central actor in shaping global security governance narratives and dialogue frameworks.
- 2. **Multilateral Engagement:** The inclusion of sessions on major-power relations, Asia-Pacific stability, and outer space security reflects China's intent to address comprehensive, multi-domain security challenges on an international stage.
- 3. **Emerging Technology Focus:** Dedicated discussion on risks and regulation of military applications of emerging technologies signals growing international concern over AI, autonomous systems, and other disruptive defence innovations.
- 4. **China-Africa Security Axis:** The concurrent hosting of the 4th China-Africa Peace and Security Forum underscores Beijing's deepening strategic and military engagement with African nations as part of its broader geopolitical outreach.
- 5. **Soft Power Instrument:** By framing the forum around inclusiveness, equality, and a "community with a shared future," China is leveraging the Xiangshan Forum as a significant soft power tool to build international consensus aligned with its own security and strategic interests.