Beijing Xiangshan Forum opens as delegates share priority security concerns

The 13th Beijing Xiangshan Forum opened Tuesday in the Chinese capital, with delegates and experts sharing their priority concerns on security and stability, ranging from China-U.S. relations to China's role in global security governance.

Delegations, including experts and scholars from about 100 countries and international organizations have gathered in Beijing for the forum, which will run until Thursday.

At one of the official delegation residences for the forum, participants were seen signing in on Monday afternoon. In separate interviews with China Media Group (CMG) on the sidelines of the event, they shared issues they would focus on during the forum.

"I have talked with others about how China-U.S. relations are going," said Michael D. Swaine, senior research fellow with the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft's East Asia Program.

"The most interesting question is the developments of China's strategic posture. Of course, because the world is so volatile, so unstable, China remains one of the anchors of stability in the world, and it's important to keep an eye on how China positions itself in this environment," said Andrey Kortunov, academic director of the Russian International Affairs Council, also former director general of the council.

"I think governance is the most important. Without governance, there will not be a multipolar world. I think China can help a lot. I think China is currently the 'engine' of world peace. No other country can do this," said Jean Christophe Iseux von Pfetten, chairman of the Royal Institute for East-West Strategic Studies in Britain.

This year's forum, themed "Build Consensus on Stability, Advance Security Governance Together," features four plenary sessions and eight parallel sessions.

Spanning traditional and non-traditional security, global governance, regional flashpoints, military technology and international law, the forum's agenda aims to address pressing real-world concerns.

"I hope the outcomes of this forum will make greater contributions to promoting regional security and stability and safeguarding world peace and development," said Li Fei, director of the office of the Chinese Military Science Association.

High-end interview sessions were held on Tuesday morning, with senior Chinese and foreign experts and scholars exchanging views around the two key topics of "stability" and "governance."

Dialogues between Chinese and foreign experts, and a seminar for young military officers and scholars will be held later Tuesday.

This year's forum marks the 20th anniversary of the Beijing Xiangshan Forum, which was launched in 2006 as a "track-two" think-tank exchange.

Beijing Xiangshan Forum opens as delegates share priority security concerns

Border crossings at Heihe Port in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province are continuing to rise a year after China introduced its visa-free policy for Russian citizens.

The number of inbound and outbound passenger trips through the port since the beginning of 2026 has hit a record high of 1 million as of Monday, an increase of 56 percent year on year.

The visa-free policy has encouraged Russian visitors to extend one-day trips to several days to experience more of local life in Chinese border cities.

"This is my fourth trip to Suifenhe since the visa-free policy took effect. Border clearance is much faster now. In the past, I could only come here for some simple shopping. Now I can travel here with my friends," said Ilina, a Russian tourist.

Bilingual service desks, smart translation terminals, self-service clearance facilities and advance online completion of entry cards have been introduced at the port, speeding up border checks.

"We have set up a Chinese-Russian bilingual service team at the inspection site, equipped it with multilingual smart translation devices, and displayed Russian-language instructions for filling out entry forms on screens outside the joint inspection hall. These measures have helped shorten waiting time and improve the border clearance experience," said Miao Lei, Deputy Head of Duty Team One at Heihe Entry-Exit Border Inspection Station.

The surge in cross-border travel has boosted local consumption and tourism, with catering and service industries in border cities witnessing tangible growth.

"All our employees can speak Russian, and our menus are bilingual. Communication is smoother, so our customers have a better experience. Russian customers now stay for four or five days, and we have more repeat customers," said Zhang Wei, Manager of Lena Restaurant in Heihe, Heilongjiang Province.

Cross-border passenger trips through Russia-China port hit 1 mln since beginning of 2026