Beijing – September 14, 2025
In a sweeping and carefully worded speech at a global security forum in Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping called on world leaders to “make a historic choice between war and peace,” positioning China as a champion of stability while critics question whether his message matches China’s actions on the world stage.
“Humanity stands at a crossroads,” Xi said. “We must reject Cold War mentalities and zero-sum thinking. The world does not need confrontation—it needs cooperation, dialogue, and peace.”
The remarks, delivered to a room filled with foreign diplomats, military officials, and regional leaders, come at a time of heightened geopolitical tension. China’s increasing assertiveness in the South China Sea, its support for Russia during the Ukraine conflict, and rising frictions with Taiwan and Western powers have led many to question whether Beijing is truly advocating peace—or simply reframing its strategic ambitions.
Xi’s call for peace was accompanied by a renewed push for what he called a “Global Security Initiative,” a Chinese-led framework emphasizing “mutual respect, indivisible security, and non-interference.” However, analysts note that this vision largely excludes Western military alliances and reflects Beijing’s desire to reshape the existing international order.
While Xi avoided direct criticism of any country by name, references to “bloc politics” and “military encirclement” were seen as thinly veiled critiques of the U.S. and its Indo-Pacific alliances, including AUKUS and the Quad.
Observers point to a growing disconnect between China’s diplomatic messaging and its regional actions. Chinese military jets have continued to breach Taiwan’s air defense identification zone, and naval standoffs with the Philippines and Japan have become increasingly frequent. At the same time, China’s deepening ties with Russia—both economically and militarily—have raised concerns in Western capitals about a de facto authoritarian alliance.
In Washington, officials responded cautiously to Xi’s speech. A State Department spokesperson said the U.S. “welcomes any call for peace, but actions must follow words,” and reiterated American concerns about China’s “intimidation tactics” in the Indo-Pacific.
Within China, state media praised Xi’s address as a “visionary call for a multipolar world” and contrasted it with what they described as Western “militarism” and “interventionism.”
The speech also appeared aimed at the Global South, where Beijing continues to invest heavily in infrastructure and trade partnerships through its Belt and Road Initiative. Xi’s message may resonate with countries weary of being caught between major power rivalries.
Still, the central question remains: Is China truly committed to a peaceful international order, or is it laying the groundwork for a new era of strategic dominance under the banner of peace?
As tensions continue to simmer from the Taiwan Strait to Eastern Europe, the world will be watching closely not just what China says—but what it does next.