A heated exchange between Israeli military representative Elad Shoshan and Tsinghua University's Yan Xuetong, a prominent Chinese international relations scholar, dominated discussions at the Beijing Xiangshan Forum this week. Video footage shows Yan criticizing Israel's military operations, stating: "Your military should target terrorists – not children! Not women!"
The Beijing Xiangshan Forum, a high-level security dialogue platform, brought together global experts to discuss conflict resolution and regional stability. Yan's remarks underscored growing concerns about civilian casualties in conflict zones, resonating with attendees focused on humanitarian protections.
While Shoshan emphasized Israel's right to self-defense, Yan countered that military responses must adhere to international law. The exchange highlights deepening academic engagement in global security debates, particularly regarding ethical warfare practices in Asia and beyond.
