Iran Press/ Asia: Participants from more than 90 countries, including the US and Russia, are attending the 10th Beijing Xiangshan Forum, according to the Chinese Defense Ministry.
Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission, delivered a keynote speech at the opening of the three-day event. Side events were held on Sunday as well which included a symposium on Sun Tzu's book, The Art of War.
The forum is being held under the theme of Common Security and lasting Peace, which is dubbed as the “core” concept of China’s Global Security Initiative.
Chinese and Russian military chiefs targeted the United States for criticism at a security forum in Beijing on Monday, even as China's second-most-senior military commander vowed to boost defence ties with Washington.
The Beijing Xiangshan Forum is held at a time when China has no defense minister after Shangfu Li was removed last week.
Zhang, second only to President Xi Jinping in the military command, is holding military diplomacy at the forum along with second vice-chair of the Central Military Commission, Gen. He Weidong.
“The security issues like the Russia-Ukraine conflict and Israel-Palestine conflict are obviously very important to security in Europe and the Middle East and would inevitably be touched upon during these sessions,” Zhao said.
"We have representatives from both engaged sides to attend the sessions. The forum would try best to keep discussing these topics on a rational path," he said.
Israel has heavily bombarded Gaza since October 7, when Hamas carried out a cross-border attack
The number of Palestinians martyred in Israeli attacks on Gaza has risen to 8,005, including 3,342 children, 2,062 women, and 460 elderly people, according to the Health Ministry.
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