Indonesian and Chinese security experts emphasized the critical role of dialogue in addressing South China Sea issues during the 11th Beijing Xiangshan Forum which takes place in Beijing from Thursday to Saturday.
This year's forum has drawn unprecedented participation from over 100 countries and organizations.
Under the theme "Promoting Peace for a Shared Future," the event features key discussions on global security, regional stability, and innovative defense technologies.
In a session focused on Asia-Pacific security, experts shared their insights on various challenges.
On the Chinese side, Nie Songlai, a research fellow at the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Academy of Military Science, cautioned against the increasing involvement of NATO in Asia-Pacific affairs, highlighting the need for vigilance since such behavior will only have a destructive effect on the security of the region.
Experts from Indonesia emphasized the importance of dialogue among relevant parties to address the issues, noting that, given the complexity of the South China Sea situation, patience is essential in the pursuit of peace.
"You cannot expect that once you talk and have a dialogue, tomorrow the world will change. It takes time to build trust and confidence," said I Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja, executive director of the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation.
"I think we have to at least try establishing the dialogue and continue and find a way out. But if we don't have any dialogue, and we don't trust each other even to talk, it's hopeless," said Jusuf Wanandi, co-founder of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Indonesia.
Indonesian experts call for dialogue in resolving South China Sea issues at Xiangshan Forum
Multiple handheld pager explosions struck Beirut and the southeastern and northeastern regions of Lebanon on Tuesday, leading to a temporary internet shutdown in the southern suburbs of the capital city, according to China Media Group (CMG) reporter Ci Xiaoning.
"I am currently at the entrance of a major hospital in Beirut, Lebanon's capital. Around 15:30 today, there were several explosions in the southern suburbs of Beirut. My Lebanese colleague, who lives very close to the area, experienced an immediate loss of internet connectivity. Reports have since confirmed that many handheld pagers were involved in the explosions," Ci reported outside a hospital in Beruit.
Lebanese Health Minister Firas Abiad confirmed that the explosions resulted in at least nine deaths and about 2,800 injuries, with approximately 200 people in critical condition. The injured are being transferred to hospitals.
In a statement, Hezbollah said it is conducting security and scientific investigations to identify the reasons behind these explosions, adding that the group is "at the highest level of readiness to defend Lebanon and its people."
In a separate statement, the Shiite group blamed Israel for "this criminal attack," vowing to retaliate.
The Lebanese Council of Ministers stressed that the government, shortly after the deadly explosions, began contacting the concerned countries and the United Nations to hold the perpetrators accountable.
Israel has yet to comment on Tuesday's blasts. According to media reports, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant held a security assessment meeting at the HaKirya military base in Tel Aviv on Tuesday to address the implications of the explosions.
CMG reporter says internet shutdown following deadly pager blasts in Lebanon
