The 12th Beijing Xiangshan Forum concluded on Friday, following in-depth discussions centered around the theme of "Upholding International Order and Promoting Peaceful Development."
The three-day event gathered over 1,800 participants, including official delegates, experts, scholars, and observers from more than 100 countries, regions, and international organizations.
Discussions covered issues such as building a just and equitable global security governance system, enhancing strategic mutual trust and security cooperation in the Asia-Pacific, safeguarding international order and global stability, and promoting regional peace through dialogue and consultation.
The forum also featured a leading experts' dialogue, a seminar for young military officers and scholars, and several closed-door sessions, fostering mutual learning and expanding communication channels between Chinese and international participants.
"We believe that China will continue to be a very strong champion of peace and stability globally. And we are also confident that going forward, this forum will continue to be a very influential platform to address collective security challenges, and we look forward to its continued growth and Rwanda to be able to participate in the upcoming editions," Rwandan Defense Minister Juvenal Marizamunda told China Central Television after taking part in the forum's fourth plenary session on Friday.
Since its launch in 2006, the Beijing Xiangshan Forum has evolved into a major international platform for defense and security dialogue.
Beijing Xiangshan Forum concludes, championing int'l order, peaceful development
Thailand has temporarily closed more than 1,000 schools in border areas following a new round of armed clashes between Thai and Cambodian troops along their shared border.
The Thai Ministry of Education ordered the suspension of classes on Friday in seven provinces bordering Cambodia, affecting a total of 1,060 schools, to ensure the safety of students and teachers.
Buriram Province is among the areas most affected by the renewed fighting, with more than 100 schools shut down. At local shelters, displaced residents, including children and teenagers, have sought refuge as fighting continues.
One girl said she had stayed in the shelter for 11-12 days already. "I moved here because of the clashes between Thailand and Cambodia," she said, adding that she could hear very loud gunfire at her home.
She said school won't be open until the clashes end, and she misses her classmates very much.
A teenage boy in the shelter expressed the same emotions.
"It's been 13 days since I moved here. I heard gunfires at home and I was so scared that I moved to the shelter. I want to return to school to study and see my friends," he said.
A displaced woman recalled her time in a shelter when border clashes between the two countries broke out earlier this year.
"I stayed in the shelter for a week when the last clashes broke out. This time I don't know how long I need to stay here before I can return home," she said.
Border clashes between the two sides reignited on Dec 7, less than two months after the two sides signed a joint peace declaration, with both sides trading the blame for instigating the attacks.
Thailand closes over 1,000 schools near border amid armed clashes with Cambodia
