Defense ministers, top military officials and representatives of international organizations are gathering at a high-level security forum in Beijing to address common security challenges faced by the international community.
The 11th Beijing Xiangshan Forum runs from Thursday to Saturday. On Friday, representatives from official delegations of more than 100 countries and international organizations, including China, the United States, Russia, Ukraine and Israel, attended the opening ceremony of this forum. Some of the countries present at the forum are still experiencing conflicts.
Initiated in 2006, the Beijing Xiangshan Forum is a high-level security and defense forum in the Asia-Pacific with significant international influence.
Themed "Promoting Peace for a Shared Future," this year's forum consists of four plenary sessions, eight special sessions, as well as other feature activities.
Defense ministers, top military officials gather in Beijing to address global security challenges
A bell-ringing ceremony was held to mark the 93rd anniversary of the September 18 Incident in front of a monument at the September 18 Incident History Museum in Shenyang City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, on Wednesday.
It was on this fateful day in 1931 when Japanese troops blew up a section of the railway near Shenyang under their control, and accused Chinese troops of sabotage as a pretext for subsequent aggression against China.
Representatives of people from all walks of life struck a bell 14 times, symbolizing the 14 years of fight against Japanese aggressors by the Chinese people. The bell was cast with the words "Never forget national humiliation".
At 09:18, 14 cities in Liaoning sounded air raid sirens for three minutes, while vehicles came to a halt and honked their horns, and citizens were standing in silent tribute to mark this dark chapter in history. Ships and trains also sounded their sirens.
For years, China has kept marking the September 18 Incident.
The incident sparked Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
The 1931-1945 Japanese invasion caused more than 35 million casualties among Chinese troops and civilians, accounting for one third of the WWII casualties worldwide.
During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, China fought with two-thirds of Japan's army, making a major contribution to the allied victory in WWII.
China holds ceremony to mark 93rd anniversary of Sept 18 Incident
