The 11th Beijing Xiangshan Forum concluded Saturday after three days of in-depth discussions under the theme of "Promoting peace for a shared future."
On Saturday, Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Chen Xiaodong delivered a special speech, emphasizing China's commitment to advancing the Global Security Initiative and fostering international and regional stability.
The forum's plenary sessions were well-received by the participants, with many praising the event for its meaningful agenda and diverse range of topics.
"It's the range of states that China has brought together. For us, it's a great opportunity both to listen (and) to explain our perspectives and to encourage all states to comply with the law and to encourage their partners to comply with the law. And we particularly welcome the fact that the Xiangshan Forum has a specific session this year on humanitarian crises. That's a really great opportunity to bring some of these points across. We think China is making a positive contribution to raising humanitarian concerns. We're very very pleased to be part of those discussions," said Pete Evans, Head of Unit for Arms Carriers and Influencing under International Committee of the Red Cross.
The forum gathered defense officials from over 100 countries, regions, and international organizations, along with experts and scholars from around the world, to exchange ideas on global security and cooperation.
Xiangshan Forum concludes after 3 days of in-depth discussions
Xiangshan Forum concludes after 3 days of in-depth discussions
A festive atmosphere is building up as people across China have been making preparations to ring in the Spring Festival next week, with lights and decorations set everywhere, and with New Year goods markets all seeing booming sales.
The Spring Festival, which marks the start of the Chinese Lunar New Year, is the most important annual holiday in China, when people across the country return to their hometowns for Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations and family reunion.
In Xi'an City of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, a grand lantern show is in its final stage of preparation before opening to the public ahead of the eve of the 2025 Chinese Lunar New Year. To be lit up on Wednesday, the large light sets presented at the event will draw numerous visitors, with lanterns that replicate 38 cultural relics as the highlight.
Buying New Year flowers has been a custom for Chinese people. In Yancheng City of east China's Jiangsu Province, various flowers which have auspicious meanings are already in high demand.
This year, tulips bred locally have been put on sale, and quickly become a favorable choice for many customers.
"I have never seen this kind of flower before. I think it is really bright-colored. Therefore, I decided to buy some to enhance the festive atmosphere at home," said Zhang Jinjian, a local resident.
The Anchang ancient town in Shaoxing City of east China's Zhejiang Province has a time-honored custom of making aired sausages and spiced duck.
As the Spring Festival draws near, plenty of visitors and tourists choose to purchase these local delicacies as ingredients for their Chinese New Year feast.
"The number of tourists has been increasing, so the sales of our spiced meat have been quite good. Compared with the same period of last year, our sales is expected to increase by about 50,000 yuan (about 6,835 U.S. dollars). We will earn an additional 200,000 to 300,000 yuan (27,335 to 41,000 U.S. dollars) in sales during this whole winter," said Yang Jing, owner of a local spiced meat shop.
In southwest China's Yunnan Province, the "Tiaocai dance" is a time-honored tradition of the Yi ethnic minority group. The dance is presented in the form of serving dishes while dancing to the rhythm. It usually happens on a joyous or grand occasion.
Since the most significant annual festival is around the corner, Yi people have dressed up in traditional costumes, and got ready to welcome the arrival of the Chinese Lunar New Year with the special dance.
People across China make preparations to welcome Spring Festival