China Defense Ministry Details Xiangshan Forum and Regional Security Moves

China's Ministry of National Defense announced that the 13th Beijing Xiangshan Forum will take place in mid-September 2026, marking the forum's 20th anniversary. During an August 27 regular press briefing, spokesperson Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang also criticized Taiwan's record 2027 defense budget proposal, defended joint naval exercises conducted with Indonesia east of Taiwan Island, and highlighted ongoing bilateral defense diplomacy across Southeast Asia.

The regular press conference outlines China's major military diplomacy initiatives for autumn 2026, including the Xiangshan Forum, while delivering Beijing's official stance on cross-strait tensions and Southeast Asian bilateral defense cooperation.

China's Ministry of National Defense has scheduled the 13th Beijing Xiangshan Forum for September 15 to 17 at the Beijing International Convention Center, spokesperson Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang announced during a regular press briefing on August 27, 2026. Marking the 20th anniversary of the forum's founding, this year's event is themed around building consensus on stability and promoting security governance. According to the Defense Ministry, the program includes four plenary sessions addressing the international order, regional conflicts, Asia-Pacific security challenges, and the role of developing nations. Eight parallel panels will cover great-power relations, Asian approaches to security, maritime route safety, military applications of emerging technologies, and space security governance. The fourth China-Africa Peace and Security Forum will also convene concurrently during the event. Addressing cross-strait developments, Zhang commented on the Taiwan administrative authority's approval of its draft 2027 total budget on August 20. The proposal raises Taiwan's defense expenditures by 18.2 percent year-on-year to over 1 trillion New Taiwan dollars, representing roughly 29 percent of overall government spending. Zhang criticized the administration led by Lai Ching-te, asserting that expanding military outlays squanders public resources and runs counter to mainstream public sentiment favoring peace, development, and cross-strait exchanges. The spokesperson also addressed recent naval drills conducted jointly by Chinese and Indonesian vessels in waters east of Taiwan. In response to media criticism and statements from the United States Department of State regarding stability in the Taiwan Strait, Zhang maintained that Taiwan is part of China and stated that China holds exclusive economic zone and continental shelf rights in the area. He described the joint naval exercises as lawful, necessary, and beneficial to operational coordination and regional peace. Additionally, the ministry noted recent diplomatic engagements led by Defense Minister Dong Jun, including visits to Timor-Leste and participation in the second ministerial 2+2 dialogue between the foreign and defense ministers of China and Indonesia.