Beijing Xiangshan Forum and Asian Regional Security Landscape

Abstract

The Beijing Xiangshan Forum (BXF), earlier known as “Xiangshan Forum” is emerging as an important element in China’s diplomatic toolbox. At a time when Asian states, to varying degrees, are receptive to various Chinese initiatives, and Beijing considers itself better resourced to implement its own regional initiatives, the forum is expected to play a larger role in regional military diplomacy and security dialogue. The evolution of the Xiangshan Forum has been a measure of China’s changing self-perception and expanding strategic role in the shifting regional security landscape. As a newly created security forum, the forum can and should coexist with existing regional institutions and complement other stakeholders’ efforts to build an inclusive, robust, and resilient security architecture in the Asia-Pacific.

Keywords

• Xiangshan Forum
• geopolitics
• geo-economics
• military diplomacy