On Sept 18, the 12th Beijing Xiangshan Forum opened in Beijing. At the forum, Zhang Weiwei, director of the China Institute at Fudan University, expressed his own views on the US turning the Department of Defense into the Department of War.

"I think, first of all, this is unwise. It goes against the tide of historical development. I think it probably reflects, in a certain sense, America's own lack of confidence. It feels like a bluff," said Zhang.