China's defense minister has stressed the importance of major countries' collaboration in safeguarding global security at an international conference being held in Beijing.

Dong Jun was speaking at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Xiangshan Forum on Friday before delegates from about 100 countries and international organizations, including Russia.

The United States dispatched Michael Chase, a deputy assistant secretary of defense. Last year, an official below his rank was sent to the event.

Dong said, "Confronted with multilayered risks, major countries have responsibilities befitting their status." He added that major countries should maintain positive interactions and serve as a stabilizing force for world peace.

Last year, China's top uniformed officer warned that the military "will not be soft-handed" if anyone attempts to "separate" Taiwan from China. But Dong did not directly mention Taiwan in Friday's address.

At the venue, a discussion session about US-China relations attended by the two countries' experts were made open to the media this year, whereas it was closed last year.

Negotiations between the two countries' defense authorities are also planned to follow the conference. The two countries apparently are continuing efforts to lay the groundwork for a planned US-China phone summit.

The two countries have been at odds over Taiwan and the South China Sea. But they have continued dialogue since the summit meeting last November in an effort to stabilize their relations.