Int'l security forum opens in China with U.S. among participants

A major security forum opened Sunday in Beijing with the United States among participants from more than 90 countries and international organizations, while the host China was not represented by a defense minister following the unexplained dismissal of Li Shangfu last week.The Xiangshan Forum, which Beijing promotes as the Chinese alternative to the annual Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, is being held in person for the first time since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Gen. Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission -- China's highest national defense organization -- w…READ FULL ARTICLE