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
The Republic of Korea (ROK)'s former impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol on Friday was sentenced to five years in prison on arrest obstruction charges.
The criminal division of the Seoul Central District Court in charge of Yoon's obstruction of justice case handed down the prison sentence to Yoon for abusing the presidential security service to hinder the anti-corruption agency from executing its arrest warrant in January 2025.
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) was once thwarted in its attempt to arrest Yoon as the presidential security service formed human shields and bus blockades to prevent investigators from entering the presidential residence.
The team of Cho Eun-suk, an independent counsel who led investigations into Yoon's insurrection and other charges, demanded a 10-year prison term for Yoon.
The court said Yoon privatized the presidential security service for personal safety and private interests by blocking the law enforcement agencies' lawful execution of an arrest warrant and attempting to destroy evidence, pointing out that despite the very bad nature of his crime, he consistently offered unconvincing excuses and showed no remorse.
The court stressed that severe punishment was necessary, considering the need to restore the rule of law damaged by Yoon's crime, but it noted that the fact that he was a first-time offender with no criminal record was considered a favorable factor.
The sentencing, which was broadcast live, was Yoon's first verdict coming from his botched martial law bid.
The first-instance sentencing for Yoon's insurrection charges was scheduled for Feb 19. The special counsel sought a death penalty for Yoon on the charges.
Yoon declared emergency martial law on the night of Dec 3 in 2024, but it was revoked hours later by the National Assembly.
The constitutional court upheld a motion to impeach Yoon in April 2025, officially removing him from office.
The ousted leader was indicted while in detention in January 2025 on charges of leading an insurrection, becoming the first sitting ROK president facing such prosecution.
ROK ex-president Yoon sentenced to 5 years in prison on arrest obstruction charges
