Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun has said that “negotiation” was the only solution to conflicts such as those in Gaza and Ukraine, as he addressed a global gathering of military officials in Beijing, AFP reports.

Scores of delegates are in Beijing for the Xiangshan Forum, dubbed China’s answer to the annual Shangri-La meeting in Singapore. It is hosting more than 500 representatives from over 90 countries and organisations across three days, according to state media.

Dong told the opening ceremony: “To resolve hotspot issues such as the crisis in Ukraine and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, promoting peace and negotiation is the only way out.”

“There is no winner in war and conflict, and confrontation leads nowhere,” Dong said. “The more acute the conflict, the more we cannot give up dialogue and consultation. The end of any conflict is reconciliation,” he added, calling on all countries to promote “peaceful development and inclusive governance”.

More official speeches are expected on Friday, and top military representatives from Russia, Pakistan, Singapore, Iran, Germany and others will participate in roundtable talks.