Beijing Xiangshan Forum, China’s biggest annual show of military diplomacy, started on Sunday, but the name of Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu, initially listed in the forum’s agenda as the first guest speaker at tomorrow’s opening ceremony, was not on the agenda.
His slated appearance was originally thought to suggest China intends to give Russia, which invaded in Ukraine in 2022, centre stage at the forum. But as of today, his name was not on the agenda, Reuters reported.
China hopes to use the forum to promote president Xi Jinping’s vision for a safer world and draw developing countries closer, as it faces increased coordination between the US and its allies to curtail its military ambitions. The US defence department has sent a delegation led by Xanthi Carras, China country director in the office of the undersecretary of defence.
This year’s forum takes place at an awkward time for China, when it is without a defence minister, whose main role is to engage with foreign militaries. On Tuesday, Beijing sacked defence minister Li Shangfu but did not name a replacement. Reuters reported last month that Li, who has been missing for two months, was being investigated for corruption.
Some European countries, including France, plan to send a small delegation from their defence ministries, according to sources familiar with the matter. Nato’s delegation will be led by Wendin Smith, its security policy director, a Nato official said.
