The 12th Beijing Xiangshan Forum, a high-level global security conference, will be held in Beijing from Sept 17 to 19, a Chinese defense spokesman said on Thursday.

Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesman for the Defense Ministry, made the announcement in a regular news briefing in Beijing, adding that the theme of this year's forum is Upholding International Order and Promoting Peaceful Development.

There will be four plenary sessions, eight sub-sessions, and a variety of side events, including high-level dialogues, and a seminar for young military officers and scholars, he said.

In addition, the forum will hold briefings on China's armed forces in UN Peacekeeping Operations, and on China's navy in international humanitarian medical missions, said Zhang.

"The Beijing Xiangshan Forum will provide an equal, inclusive and diverse platform for participants to have constructive dialogues and build consensus and trust," he noted.

"It will make an intellectual contribution to addressing challenges concerning global security and development."