BEIJING - As organizers prepare for the Xiangshan Forum in November, the Defense ministry says they hope to transform the event into a high-end security and defense forum.

The fifth Xiangshan Forum, organized by the China Association for Military Science, is scheduled to be held in Beijing from November 20 to 22, spokesman Yang Yujun told a monthly press briefing.

The biennial event, which focuses on security in the Asia-Pacific region, will be held annually from this year on, he said.

To adapt to a changing security environment in the Asia-Pacific region and the need for security cooperation, the fifth forum will change from a pure academic forum to a high-end security and defense forum, he said.

This year, invitations will be extended to defense or military officials from Asia-Pacific nations, representatives from international organizations, former military or political leaders as well as renowned defense scholars, he said.

The forum will also invite heads of state or heads of government to give keynote speeches. Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan and officials from Chinese Foreign Ministry will also deliver speeches.

Running under the theme of "Cooperation and Win-Win, build an Asian Community of Common Destiny", the three-day event will discuss regional security, maritime security and anti-terrorism cooperation.

"China welcomes defense and military officials as well as scholars from Asia-Pacific nations to attend," Yang said.

The forum was first held in 2006.