Shangri-La Dialogue Chinese Expert: All Parties Should Firmly Defend the Post-War Order

On May 30, Meng Xiangqing, head of the Chinese People's Liberation Army expert delegation and a professor at the National Defense University, stated at the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue that the international community currently faces multiple security challenges, and countries should be vigilant against any attempts to undermine the achievements of World War II and the post-war international order. China has proposed a global security initiative and a global governance initiative, providing Chinese wisdom and solutions for the international community to respond to changes in the world.

During his speech at the parallel session of the dialogue, Meng Xiangqing noted that the world today is facing multiple challenges, including the impact of hegemonism on regional security, the rising risk of global nuclear conflict, serious erosion of international arms control, disarmament, and non-proliferation systems, as well as severe disorder in global governance, with various risks interwoven and amplified.

In this context, Meng Xiangqing stated that China has proposed a global security initiative and a global governance initiative, advocating for a common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security concept, emphasizing adherence to multilateralism and the rule of international law, providing important ideas for the international community to address global challenges.

Regarding the joint response to the current complex situation, Meng Xiangqing emphasized that countries should firmly defend the post-war international order and build a solid political foundation for strategic stability. He stressed the need to be vigilant against any militaristic ideologies attempting to revive, and to effectively safeguard the achievements of World War II and the post-war international order.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the opening of the Far East International Military Tribunal. Meng Xiangqing stated that this trial forever nailed the heinous crimes of Japanese militarism to the pillar of historical shame and laid an important legal foundation for the post-war international order.

He also pointed out that there are still some forces today that openly glorify war crimes and promote erroneous views of World War II history, attempting to overturn the history of aggression and even break through the constraints of the post-war peace system. "Does a country that has not thoroughly reckoned with the toxic legacy of militarism have the qualification to talk about defense cooperation on the international stage? Can it win the trust of the international community, especially the Asian countries it has previously invaded? I have serious doubts," Meng Xiangqing said.

He further stated that countries should vigorously promote inclusive governance and build a just and reasonable global security governance system. China advocates for UN reform to uphold democratic consultation, enhance the representation and voice of developing countries, especially African nations, promote the historic expansion of BRICS cooperation mechanisms and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, support ASEAN's central role in the regional framework, assist Southeast Asian countries in playing a greater role in regional and international affairs, strengthen the global governance of the South, and promote the construction of a more just and reasonable global governance system.

Meng Xiangqing pointed out that countries should also strengthen consensus on arms control and maintain the nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament system. He mentioned that China released the white paper "China's Arms Control, Disarmament, and Non-Proliferation in the New Era" last year, systematically elaborating on China's views and policy propositions regarding international security and the arms control situation. China advocates for the five nuclear-armed states to negotiate and conclude a "No First Use of Nuclear Weapons Treaty," taking a key step towards effectively reducing strategic risks.

He also stated that countries should actively manage the risks of emerging technologies to prevent a "regulatory vacuum" in the military field. He noted that China has submitted a position paper on regulating military applications of artificial intelligence under the framework of the UN Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, supporting the establishment of a legally binding international document when conditions are ripe.

Meng Xiangqing called on all countries, especially major powers, to earnestly practice the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind and take on the responsibility of maintaining strategic stability. "I hope that countries can join hands to practice true multilateralism and inject positive energy into global strategic stability," he said.

The 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue opened on the evening of the 29th in Singapore, with over 550 participants, including political leaders, defense officials, and experts from more than 40 countries and regions. The Chinese People's Liberation Army expert delegation was invited to attend the meeting in Singapore. (Reporters: Wang Jiawei, Shu Chang, Cheng Yiheng, Mao Pengfei, Gao Yang; Video: Xu Zhengyuan)