Delegates at the forum are being asked to find a mechanism which can improve international relations on security -- a concept that China's leadership has been reiterating for some time now.

At its core is the concept of cooperation, whereby the resolution will benefit all parties instead of a "winner takes all" outcome. The forum had been initially established as an "unofficial dialogue" with just influential academic leaders participating, but now high-ranking official and military leaders are involved. This year, 58 countries and half a dozen international organizations have sent delegations.