China to Push Global Security Vision at Xiangshan Forum

China is preparing to promote its vision for global security at the annual Xiangshan Forum in Beijing this week, as tensions persist over Taiwan, the South China Sea and uncertainty surrounding U.S. security commitments in Asia.

Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun is expected to open the three-day forum on Tuesday, advocating stronger international cooperation in a multipolar world. Diplomats and analysts expect his remarks could also contain indirect criticism of the United States and its allies.

Hundreds of military officials, diplomats and academics from dozens of countries are expected to attend. The Xiangshan Forum is widely viewed as China’s answer to Singapore’s Shangri-La Dialogue, although Beijing’s event is generally more tightly controlled.

Analysts believe criticism of Washington could be restrained ahead of President Xi Jinping’s planned visit to Washington later this month for talks with U.S. President Donald Trump. Japan may instead face sharper rhetoric amid heightened Beijing-Tokyo tensions.

Singapore-based security scholar James Char expects Chinese officials to highlight Japan’s wartime history and criticize what Beijing describes as Tokyo’s “remilitarisation.”

Taiwan is also expected to remain a central security issue. The democratically governed island, which Beijing claims as Chinese territory, does not participate in the forum. Taiwan conducted military and civil defence exercises last month designed to prepare for a potential Chinese invasion.

Dong’s address follows Xi’s recent calls for greater Global South representation in international affairs and opposition to a global system dominated by a small group of powerful countries.

The United States is expected to send Cynthia Carras, the Pentagon’s principal director for China, Taiwan and Mongolia. Vietnam will be represented by Defence Minister Phan Van Giang, while Malaysia is sending Vice Defence Minister Adly Zahari.

Brookings Institution expert Patricia Kim said uncertainty about U.S. commitments gives Beijing an opportunity to argue for Asian-led regional security. However, China’s increasingly assertive actions, particularly in the South China Sea, continue to fuel regional distrust.

The Xiangshan Forum will also offer foreign delegations a chance to assess China’s military leadership as Xi’s corruption purges continue and Beijing prepares for next year’s Communist Party congress.