Protecting Asia-Pacific security, improving global governance and fighting terrorism are expected to top the agenda at this year's Xiangshan Forum, which begins in Beijing on Tuesday.
Admiral Sun Jianguo, Deputy Chief of the Joint Staff Department of China's Central Military Commission, said on Monday at a welcome banquet that despite the number of topics at the forum each year, pursuing peace and the progress of civilization have been a consistent objective of the forum.
Sun said the seventh forum, with the theme "Build a New Type of International Relations through Security Dialogue and Cooperation," will tackle topics such as Asia-Pacific security, global governance and anti-terrorism. Over 400 people, including delegations from 59 countries, six international organizations, renowned politicians and experts attended the welcome banquet.
Zulkifeli Mohd Zin, the Defense Force chief of the Malaysian Armed Forces HQ, gave a keynote speech on Monday, where he called the rise of global terrorism, especially Daesh, also known as the Islamic State, one of the greatest challenges facing many countries, as his own country, Malaysia, was not immune from such attacks.
"Daesh's capability to launch attacks around the world has altered the nature of international relations," said Zulkifeli, urging closer global counter-terrorism collaboration from both official and non-official sectors.
"China has experienced its share of terrorist attacks. From its experience, China formulated one of the most comprehensive security measures for the 2008 Olympic Games, which will be used as a template for counterterrorism preparations at major global events," said Zulkifeli, adding that China and Malaysia will deepen defense cooperation, following their first joint military drills last year.
