Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun denounced "hegemonic logic and acts of bullying" during remarks Thursday at a Beijing forum that were full of thinly veiled references to the United States.

Organisers say about 1,800 representatives from 100 countries, including political, military and academic leaders, are gathering in Beijing for the Xiangshan Forum, considered China's answer to the annual Shangri-La meeting in Singapore.

The three-day event comes as China presents itself as a mediator of fraught global issues including ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza.

Addressing attendees at the opening ceremony on Thursday, Dong warned of "new threats and challenges" now facing world peace.

"While the themes of the times -- peace and development -- remain unchanged, the clouds of a Cold War menta

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