The second Wanshou Dialogue on Global Security opened Tuesday in Beijing under the theme of global security in the context of major changes.
Hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Peace and Disarmament (CPAPD), the event attracted government officials, renowned security experts and representatives of peace organizations from more than 20 countries.
Addressing the opening ceremony, CPAPD head Ma Biao stressed that at present the general trend of peace is irreversible, but the competition among major powers is intensified, and the regional security order has undergone profound adjustment.
Ma, also vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, called on all parties to adhere to the original aspiration of peace, shoulder the responsibilities of the times and contribute wisdom and strength to the maintenance of international and regional peace, security and stability.
The forum, which will last until Wednesday, includes four panel discussions: new changes in major country security relations, new adjustments in regional security order, new and emerging technologies and global security and evolution of security concepts and global security governance.
Martin Jacques, a senior fellow at Cambridge University, forecasted that the Wanshou conference is going to grow and become very important because it is needed in the context of what is happening globally.
He said it was particularly good for this conference to bring together a very wide range of people, mainly from the developing world, to discuss these kinds of security questions.
Tran Dac Loi, vice president of the Vietnam Peace and Development Foundation, said this conference will help participants to deepen their understanding of the complexity and dangerous situation caused by the policy of unilateralism, hegemony and confrontation.
It also stressed the need for joint efforts to promote collective security and to build a shared future of prosperity for all, said Tran Dac Loi, also former deputy head of the Commission for External Relations of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam.
Wang Yizhou, Boya chair professor of Peking University, said holding the forum reflects China's dedication to a multilateral approach in addressing security issues through wide-ranging dialogues.
It can be seen that in the face of difficulties, China is not encouraging confrontation and populism but is using dialogue to give full expression to different views, seeking space in a calm manner and seeking common ground while reserving differences, according to Wang.
He also stressed that the dialogue could build trust and dispel suspicions on China's rise, as well as help China understand the worries and concerns of other countries.
