Beijing prepares Xiangshan Forum amid rising regional tensions

China is preparing to open the annual Beijing Xiangshan Forum against a background of tension over Taiwan, competing claims in the South China Sea and continuing questions about the long-term US military role in Asia. The three-day gathering is scheduled for September 15–17 at the Beijing International Convention Center.

Defence Minister Dong Jun is expected to present China’s case for greater international cooperation and a more multipolar security order. Beijing uses the forum to bring military officers, diplomats and security scholars into discussions that offer an alternative to the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. The two meetings differ in format and tone, but both have become important venues for signalling regional defence priorities.

China is likely to emphasize dialogue and opposition to bloc confrontation while defending its own territorial positions. That message will be tested by the concerns of neighbouring states, particularly around Chinese coast guard and military activity near disputed waters. Taiwan remains the most sensitive issue, with Beijing asserting sovereignty over the self-governing island and refusing to rule out the use of force.

The guest list includes senior representation from Vietnam and Malaysia, countries that maintain economic ties with China while also holding claims in the South China Sea. The United States is sending a Pentagon delegation led by Cynthia Carras. The level and composition of delegations can provide an indication of how governments balance engagement with Beijing against their security partnerships elsewhere.

The forum also provides a rare public setting in which observers can assess the leadership and messaging of China’s armed forces. President Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption campaign has affected senior military ranks and procurement institutions, increasing attention to which officials appear and how authority is presented ahead of the next Communist Party congress.

The timing may encourage measured language toward Washington because Xi is expected to meet US President Donald Trump later in September. That does not remove the underlying disputes over Taiwan, technology controls, military deployments and alliance commitments. Japan may face sharper criticism because of its expanded defence role and closer coordination with the United States.

Regional forums also function as crisis-management channels when formal negotiations are stalled. Delegates can clarify doctrine, arrange bilateral meetings and communicate concerns without producing a joint declaration. The usefulness of those contacts depends on whether messages reach operational commands and whether governments keep military hotlines active during incidents. In the South China Sea and around Taiwan, ships and aircraft often operate close enough that professional communication can reduce immediate danger even when sovereignty disputes remain unchanged.

No agreement is expected simply from the opening of the forum. Its immediate value lies in the participation it attracts, the official positions placed on record and the opportunities for military-to-military contact at a time when incidents at sea or in the air could escalate through miscalculation.