Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun attended the ceremony and delivered the event’s opening speech, to which more than 1,800 guests from official delegations of more than 100 countries and international organizations are participating.

President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter in which he noted that China has been implementing global security initiatives in the face of major global changes not seen in a century and the expectations of the world’s people for security and stability.

We hope that this forum will continue to uphold the spirit of equality, openness, inclusiveness, and mutual learning; build consensus, deepen mutual trust, and launch new initiatives to respond to global security challenges and build a community of shared future for mankind, the letter concluded.

ef/iff/mem/nvo