Beijing, 31 October 2023 – Minister of Difence Rear Almirante, Donaciano Gomes ‘Pedro Klamar Fuik’, attended the 10^th Beijing Xiangshan Forum, from 29 to 31 October, at the International Conference Centre in Beijing, China.

The 10th Beijing Xiangshan Forum, which concluded on Tuesday, attracted more than 1,800 representatives of over 100 countries, regions and international organizations who discussed an array of topics including major countries' responsibilities and global security cooperation, and the Asia-Pacific security architecture under the theme of "Common Security, Lasting Peace".

The Global Security Initiative proposed by China could help resolve many global security governance issues. As a key platform for promoting the initiative, the Beijing Xiangshan Forum provides an opportunity for all parties to seek solutions to security problems and promote security cooperation under the initiative's framework.

During the event, Minister Defence Rear Almirante Donaciano Gomes, Ph.D., touched on: “security Architecture today and in the future”, which focused on the new legal framework for geopolitics in the Asia-pacific and the nature of rivalry between the two countries (USA and China).

Rear Almirante Donaciano Gomes also spoke about ASEAN’s contribution to regional security, and ASEAN’s contribution to the ASEA-Pacific security legal framework. He added that as a small country with military and commercial interests Timor-Leste’s security depends on establishing strong relations with the neighbors and friends who share the values of respect and solidarity in order to strengthen the common interest for peace and stability in the region.

“We realize that our nation-state building process is led by the goal of peace. We believe that if there isn’t a peaceful community and sustainable development, there won’t be stability and peace. Therefore, as a country and as a people, we think that the commitment to be an agent of peace is a strategy to change from fragility to resilience”, Rear Almirante Pedro Klamar Fuik Added in his statement.

The forum also allows developing countries to be heard, especially during discussions on issues related to the Global South, the BRICS grouping (emerging market countries—Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa), and security along the Belt and Road (China's main international cooperation and economic strategy). This makes the forum among a handful which take into serious consideration the legitimate concerns and demands of developing countries.

In addition, due to the emergence of nontraditional security issues such as cybersecurity and bio-security, the forum also organized discussions on subjects such as artificial intelligence technology to better coordinate the countries' actions so that nontraditional security threats can be better countered and long-term solutions to global problems can be found.

During the Forum, Pedro Klamar Fuik also shared Timor-Leste’s foreign policy at the event: “making friends and zero enemies”, prioritizing peace and stability in the region.