BEIJING, July 3 (Xinhua) -- More than 1,200 guests from 86 countries and regions have gathered in Beijing to exchange views on maintaining global peace and addressing conflicts at the ongoing 13th World Peace Forum (WPF).

Themed "advancing global peace and prosperity: shared responsibility, benefit and achievement," the forum, which runs from July 2 to 4, brings together leading strategists, senior policymakers and former political leaders.

"In the face of serious and complex international developments and escalating regional conflicts, global peace and development face unprecedented challenges," said Li Luming, president of Tsinghua University and chairman of the WPF, told the forum at the opening ceremony on Thursday.

Li noted that amid a turbulent international landscape and rising geopolitical tensions, fostering unity and dialogue is more important than ever.

Addressing the opening ceremony, former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama emphasized that peace can be achieved not by using force, but through dialogue, and the forum bears great significance in this regard.

Hatoyama said that it is essential for Japan to work closely with its East Asian neighbors, ASEAN, middle powers in Europe, and the Global South to strengthen its independence from the United States. He emphasized that enhancing trilateral collaboration among Japan, China and the Republic of Korea is particularly important.

He called on Japan to reduce the potential for conflicts in the region by more clearly stating that it does not support Taiwan independence, and by restraining moves toward Taiwan independence, adding that the Taiwan issue is China's internal matter.

The forum comprises four plenary sessions and 18 panel discussions, where participants will share their perspectives on subjects including the international order and world peace, pan-securitization and the global security predicament, the role of the Global South in achieving world peace and prosperity, and major power coordination and conflict resolution.

Beginning in 2012, Tsinghua University has been co-hosting the forum with the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs. The forum aims to provide a platform of communication and exchange for strategists and think tanks worldwide. ■