People rally in Munich to protest against expansion of armament, calling for peace through negotiations

Multiple protests erupted in Munich, Germany, with large crowds of people taking to the streets to protest against armaments expansion and weapons export by Western countries which have escalated international tensions.

The protesters also called for realizing peace through negotiations.

During the Munich Security Conference (MSC), which kicked off on Friday, multiple anti-war groups organized protests, with the highlight being a rally of thousands of people in downtown Munich themed "the ability to achieve peace, not the ability to wage war".

At the rally, thousands of protesters held banners and placards with slogans reading "Security, Peace, Diplomacy, Not War!", "Reject Militarization", and "Oppose Weapon Deliveries", calling for peace talks instead of military confrontation, and demanding a halt to weapons export.

Many protesters said that militarization policies do not bring peace. Instead, they exacerbate international tensions. They argued that Western countries' use of military forces to address regional conflicts has only led to greater disasters and humanitarian crises.

"I believe the Western leaders gathering at the Munich Security Conference must reopen dialogue, not only with allies, but also with Russia and other peace-seeking countries. Everyone should eliminate adversarial thinking, rebuild trust mechanisms, and work towards arms reduction," said Heinz Michael Vilsmeier, spokesman for a rally organizer.

In addition, the protesters strongly condemned the deployment of long-range weapons by the United States in Germany. They believe that it has not only threatened European security, but also further dragged Germany into geopolitical confrontation.

They called on the German government to reconsider its foreign policy, stop military reliance on the United States, and not to serve American global hegemony.

"The U.S. deployment of long-range weapons in Germany is essentially hiding behind Germany to shield itself. Politicians believe that peace can be achieved through an arms race, but this will ultimately lead us to a third World War or a nuclear conflict. Over the past three years, we have clearly become America's accomplice. This strategy has been highly effective for the United States, which profits from it, while the Europe is so stupid. Now it's the time for us to reflect on our mistakes and change the direction," said a protester named Christine Thole.

People rally in Munich to protest against expansion of armament, calling for peace through negotiations

People rally in Munich to protest against expansion of armament, calling for peace through negotiations

People rally in Munich to protest against expansion of armament, calling for peace through negotiations

People rally in Munich to protest against expansion of armament, calling for peace through negotiations

Nicaragua's co-foreign minister Valdrack Jaentschke has warned that militarism must never be allowed to rise again, as Japan's recent moves to lift its arms export ban and revise the pacifist Constitution continue to draw international concern.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the opening of the Tokyo Trials, where Japan's Class-A war criminals from World War II were brought to justice.

In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Valdrack Jaentschke voiced his concern that today's world order is being undermined by interventionism and other challenges.

"It is necessary for us to remember that after the end of World War II, countries worked hard to build a new international order based on international law. However, regrettably, more than 80 years later, we are seeing that this once explored and attempted order is being challenged by interventionism, a confrontational mindset, and tendencies like 'might makes right.' These are precisely the conditions that gave rise to fascism and militarism in the past, which ultimately led to the tragedy of World War II," he said.

He said the international community has a responsibility to pursue a new international order -- one fundamentally grounded in peace.

"Looking back at the history more than eight decades ago and comparing it with today's reality, it is our responsibility to recognize that the world should, and must, build a new international order that is more just, fairer, rooted in international law, based on a logic of mutual benefit and shared success, and fundamentally grounded in peace," said the minister.

"Today, as we revisit the Tokyo Trials, it is meant to remind the world that such a tragedy must never be repeated -- and that we must do everything in our power to prevent it from happening again. We must stop that dark world -- born from militarism, interventionism, and fascism -- from ever returning," he said.

Nicaraguan FM warns of militarism revival