More than 1,200 guests from 86 countries and regions have gathered in Beijing to exchange views on maintaining global peace and addressing conflicts at the ongoing 13th World Peace Forum (WPF).
Themed "advancing global peace and prosperity: shared responsibility, benefit and achievement," the forum, which runs from July 2 to 4, brings together leading strategists, senior policymakers and former political leaders.
Topics such as China-U.S. relations, economic trade, and the Global South became focal points of discussion at the gathering.
"A tariff war is also an attack on trust, especially if it is not based on rational economic calculations, either for the country imposing it or for the global economy as a whole. Everyone loses," said Herman Van Rompuy, former president of the European Council and prime minister of Belgium, speaking to the forum.
"The international community should pursue common and universal security for all nations. If (certain countries) continue to adhere to the zero-sum mentality, prioritizing their own interests at the expense of others and seeking absolute security while undermining the safety of others, they will find themselves increasingly trapped in this predicament, with their options narrowing further," said Cui Tiankai, a former Chinese ambassador to the United States, while on stage at the event.
Guests urged the international community to uphold solidarity and coordination, work together to improve global governance, and jointly respond to challenges. They also expressed hope for China to play a more proactive role in international affairs.
"China has already been playing a constructive role in finding solutions to problems in all parts of the world. I refer to the agreement I think two and a half years ago between Saudi Arabia and Iran, which was hosted in Beijing. China played the congregating side between the two sides. That is a very effective means by which China has already done something like that," said Prince Turki Al-Faisal, chairman of the Center for Research and Islamic Studies, speaking on stage alongside Cui.
The forum comprises four plenary sessions and 18 panel discussions, where participants will share their perspectives on subjects including the international order and world peace, pan-securitization and the global security predicament, the role of the Global South in achieving world peace and prosperity, and major power coordination and conflict resolution.
Beginning in 2012, Tsinghua University has been co-hosting the forum with the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs. The forum aims to provide a platform of communication and exchange for strategists and think tanks worldwide.
13th World Peace Forum held in Beijing with focus on global security issues
