China, Russia Chide West at Annual Security Forum in Beijing

BEIJING (Reuters) - Chinese and Russian defense officials on Friday took swipes at the West at a military diplomacy forum in Beijing, with China pitching to the Global South and Russia saying the United States was shifting military conflicts to the Asia-Pacific.

In a wide-ranging speech to the annual Xiangshan Forum, China’s defense minister, Dong Jun, said China would enhance military ties with its neighbors and with developing countries in particular.
“Major countries must take the lead in safeguarding global security, abandon a zero-sum mindset and refrain from bullying the small and the weak,” Dong said, in a veiled criticism of the United States, which he did not name.
In a “multipolar” world, “no one can afford to be an outsider or onlooker”, he added.
Dong’s remarks come as communications ease between the U.S. and Chinese militaries despite roiling tensions over the South China Sea, Taiwan and Washington’s concerns at Beijing’s close relationship with Russia amid its 30-month-old invasion of Ukraine.
Those tensions were underscored within hours when German’s defense minister confirmed that two German warships had sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Friday - the first such transit in two decades and a move condemned by China’s foreign ministry.
Russian deputy defense minister Alexander Fomin was more explicit, saying in his speech that the United States was trying to contain China and Russia while preparing for war in Asia by creating new security blocs.
“Russia and China support the creation of a just, multipolar world order based on equality and mutual respect,” he said.
“In order to create conditions to force Russia into negotiations based on Kyiv’s formulas, NATO countries plan to send troops to Ukraine,” he added. “This is a dangerous game which can lead to a direct conflict of nuclear powers.”