China Hosts 12th Xiangshan Forum with 1800 Delegates from 100 Countries Amidst Regional Security Tensions

China is hosting the 12th Beijing Xiangshan Forum, a major international security conference, with participation from defense officials and representatives of over 100 countries amid increasing regional tensions in the Asia-Pacific. The forum, running from September 17 to 19, aims to promote President Xi Jinping's vision of a new international order opposing U.S. hegemonism and power politics, while China seeks to project itself as a responsible regional power and security guarantor. Key issues discussed include the deployment of the U.S. Typhon missile system in Japan, maritime disputes in the South China Sea, and the modernization and opaque leadership changes within the People's Liberation Army, including the removal of several generals. Western nations are sending mostly low-level delegations, with the U.S. represented only by its defense attache, reflecting cautious engagement and maintaining the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore as the primary regional security forum. Foreign attendees use the forum to gather intelligence on China's advanced weaponry and military command structure, especially following China's recent military parade showcasing new arms like hypersonic missiles and drones, though their operational efficacy remains in question. The forum underscores China's strategic diplomacy efforts amid heightened military drills and geopolitical friction in East Asia.