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“To resolve hot issues such as the crisis in Ukraine and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, promoting peace and negotiation is the only way,” Dong said at the opening ceremony of the forum.
He stressed that “major countries must take the initiative in protecting global security, abandon the zero-sum mentality, and refrain from intimidating small and weak countries.”
He added that in a multipolar world, “countries, whether large or small, developed or developing, should have equal right to participate in international affairs, express their needs, and defend their legitimate rights and interests.”
Dong’s remarks come as contacts between the US and Chinese militaries resume, despite rising tensions over the South China Sea and Taiwan, as well as Washington’s concerns about Beijing’s close relationship with Moscow.
Dong said China will strengthen military ties with regional countries and work to “expand military relations with developing countries in all areas.” The United States is represented at the forum by Michael Chase, deputy assistant secretary of defense for China, Taiwan and Mongolia.
China seeks to promote itself as a responsible party in global conflicts, despite its involvement in long-running regional disputes in East Asia.
This year’s forum is titled: “Promoting peace for a common future”Representatives from 90 countries and international organizations will participate in the event over three days, and its activities will conclude tomorrow, Saturday.
