Beijing, China — Global leaders and experts gathered at the 13th World Peace Forum from Wednesday to Friday, calling for enhanced international cooperation to promote peace and shared prosperity in an increasingly interconnected world.
Cui Tiankai, former Chinese ambassador to the United States, emphasized the importance of common and universal security for all nations. “If some nations persist in a zero-sum mentality, seeking to maximize their own interests at the expense of others, they will find themselves trapped with a narrowing path forward,” he warned.
Addressing the forum, Liu Jianchao, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, urged countries to reflect on building an effective and long-term global security architecture. “International relations must be based on cooperation and mutual benefit,” Liu said. “It cannot be a win-lose scenario. We can compete, but the goal is not to leave others behind, but rather to advance faster and become stronger ourselves.”
Herman van Rompuy, former Belgian prime minister and ex-president of the European Council, highlighted the detrimental effects of tariff wars on mutual trust and the global economy. “There are no winners in a tariff war — neither for the country imposing it nor for the global economy,” he stated.
Former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama called for enhanced East Asian cooperation and greater diplomatic autonomy. He suggested that close collaboration within East Asia, particularly among China, Japan, and South Korea, is essential for regional stability. “Protectionist policies harm global trade and stability,” Hatoyama noted. He also urged Japan to reflect deeply on its history and expressed regret over the nation’s past actions.
The forum, themed “Advancing Global Peace and Prosperity: Shared Responsibility, Benefit, and Achievement”, was hosted by Tsinghua University and the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs. Participants engaged in in-depth discussions on how to seize the opportunities brought by globalization while addressing common challenges.
