A group of prominent retired U. S. military and national security officials attended a secret conference in Beijing, called the "Strategic Security and Stability Dialogue. " This event was backed by the China-United States Exchange Foundation (CUSEF), linked to the Chinese Communist Party's efforts to influence Western perceptions.
• The conference was a Track II dialogue, meaning it was unofficial and not on the record, but not politically neutral.
• Participants included notable figures such as Admiral Mike Mullen, Stephen E. Biegun, Rose Gottemoeller, and Admiral James O. Ellis Jr.
• Mullen's presence adds significant credibility for Beijing, portraying the former military leader as endorsing CCP-sanctioned discussions.
• Biegun’s background allows Beijing to present elite American consensus on strategic topics, such as "risk management" and "stability. "
• Gottemoeller, as an arms control expert, adds authority to discussions framing China’s nuclear buildup as a shared concern rather than unilateral aggression.
• Ellis, with experience in overseeing U. S. nuclear forces, further legitimizes China’s claims on global deterrence.
The participation of these former officials in CUSEF-led discussions is seen as a way for Beijing to gain legitimacy and project an image of strategic parity with the U. S. while influencing elite opinion on crucial defense topics.
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