Beijing: Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), addressing the high-profile gathering at the 12th Beijing Xiangshan Forum in China, emphasized the significance of collective dialogue, regional cooperation, and mutual respect in addressing global and regional security challenges.
According to Ministry of Defence – Sri Lanka, the Defence Secretary highlighted the importance of taking seriously the legitimate security concerns of every country and promoting peaceful settlement of differences and disputes through dialogue and consultation. He advocated for open regionalism and the advancement of regional economic integration. The forum, held from September 17 to 19 at the Beijing International Convention Center, serves as a vital platform for fostering dialogue and promoting peace in the Asia-Pacific and beyond.
Speaking at the Fourth plenary session on “Building regional peace through dialog and consultation,” the Defence Secretary expressed appreciation to the Chinese government for th
e invitation to participate in this high-level security and defence forum. He quoted President Xi Jinping’s call to respect legitimate security concerns of all nations and resolve disputes through consultation, emphasizing that true peace is achieved through dialogue, understanding, and constructive engagement.
The Defence Secretary also reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to ensuring that the Indian Ocean remains a zone of peace, open to cooperation and free from conflict. He stressed Sri Lanka’s readiness to act as a bridge of peace and cooperation, facilitating connectivity, trade, and cultural dialogue between East and West. He further highlighted the enduring friendship between Sri Lanka and China, acknowledging China’s support in safeguarding Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and its contributions to military training and infrastructure development.
Reaffirming Sri Lanka’s commitment to regional stability, the Defence Secretary emphasized that differences should never lead to confrontation, and dialogue and consu
ltation are the only sustainable paths forward. He called for regional initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative and ASEAN’s Outlook on the Indo-Pacific to complement one another. The Defence Secretary concluded by reaffirming the spirit of the Beijing Xiangshan Forum, advocating for a future where peace triumphs over conflict.
The Beijing Xiangshan Forum, co-hosted by the China Association of Military Science (CAMS) and the China Institute of International Strategic Studies (CIISS), is recognized as one of the Asia-Pacific’s most influential platforms for international security and defence dialogue, with numerous high-profile defence heads and delegates in attendance.