Beijing has become the focal point of global military diplomacy this week, as China’s Ministry of National Defense convened its fourth annual international security cooperation seminar, bringing together senior defense stakeholders from across the world. The two-day gathering, held from Thursday to Friday at the International College of Defense Studies under the People’s Liberation Army National Defense University, drew attendance from foreign military attachés accredited to China and senior representatives from regional offices of major international organizations, ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang confirmed during an online press briefing on the opening day of the event.
To foster open dialogue and knowledge sharing, organizers invited a cohort of senior officials and subject matter experts from both Chinese civilian agencies and military institutions to deliver targeted keynote presentations centered on evolving global security dynamics. Following the formal addresses, participants engaged in extensive working discussions focused on identifying actionable pathways to expand collaborative military security initiatives between China and the international community. As a complement to policy-focused discussions, the seminar also included a structured site visit to a leading Chinese civilian internet technology company, giving international attendees a first-hand look at China’s civilian digital innovation ecosystem.
Zhang emphasized that the core objectives of the recurring seminar extend far beyond theoretical dialogue. By creating an open, informal space for direct engagement between international defense representatives and Chinese stakeholders, the event is designed to break down misperceptions, build foundational mutual trust, deepen cross-border personal and professional friendships, and lay the groundwork for concrete, substantive security cooperation projects in the months ahead. As a long-standing platform for track-one military diplomacy, the seminar continues to serve as a key venue for advancing open, inclusive security cooperation in line with global efforts to address shared transnational security challenges.