Cui Tiankai, who previously served as China’s ambassador to Washington, argued that the United States often pressures its allies to pick sides. He suggested that the correct choice would align with the broad, shared interests of humanity, a view he conveyed to audiences at the Xiangshan Security Forum in Beijing as reported by RIA News.
Speaking at the 10th Xiangshan Security Forum, Cui noted that Washington frequently bases its policy expectations on its own strategic calculations or its interpretation of global affairs, and then pushes partner nations to adopt the same stance. He emphasized that while alliance members may feel forced into a binary choice, many prefer to avoid such a rigid split and seek more nuanced, independent positions that still honor collective security and global stability.
According to Cui, the idea of 1choosing the right side of history is not about conforming to any single bloc but about advancing policies and values that serve the widest possible set of humanitarian interests. This framing places a premium on shared human goals—peace, development, and mutual respect for sovereignty—rather than on narrow national agendas.
Meanwhile, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced plans to undertake a working visit to Beijing to participate in the Xiangshan Forum, a gathering that brings together senior military and security officials from around the world to discuss regional and global security challenges. His participation underscores ongoing dialogues among major powers about deterrence, risk management, and regional stability.
In related events, one former Russian policy analyst recalled public exhibitions that once featured broken and decommissioned NATO equipment as a critique of alliance posture and defense spending. The anecdote was offered in the broader context of discussions about military modernization, interoperability, and how different nations interpret the balance between defense commitments and cost. This kind of rhetoric illustrates how security forums blend historical perspective with current strategic debates, encouraging attendees to consider cast-iron conclusions versus evolving geopolitical realities. [Attribution: RIA News]