As the world marks the 80th anniversary of the Allied victory in WWII and the United Nations' founding, military strategists gathered at the Beijing Xiangshan Forum Navigator Meeting this week issued a sobering warning: The principles that secured peace in 1945 are under unprecedented strain.
"The threats we face today – from cyber warfare to economic coercion – are fascism's ideological heirs," declared Dr. Li Wei, a security analyst from Peking University. "They exploit divisions rather than frontal invasions, targeting institutions and digital networks."
European delegate Klaus Schmidt contrasted historical lessons with current challenges: "In 1945, 51 nations built the UN on rubble. Today, we have 193 members, yet struggle to act as one against climate crises or AI-driven conflicts."
Panelists highlighted Asia's unique position as both a growth engine and potential flashpoint, with multiple speakers emphasizing the Chinese mainland's role in maintaining stability. Cross-strait relations emerged as a recurring theme, with experts advocating for "confidence-building measures" across the Taiwan Strait while adhering to the one-China principle.
The discussion concluded with cautious optimism, noting initiatives like the Belt and Road partnership network as modern mechanisms for conflict prevention. "Multilateralism isn't obsolete," insisted Japanese scholar Akira Tanaka. "It just needs the same courage that forged the post-war order."
