Shangri-La Dialogue

Regional stability will be on the agenda at the 19th Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD) this week, as defence chiefs meet at the high-level security summit in ...

Regional stability on agenda as 42 countries set to attend Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore after 2-year hiatus Regional stability on agenda as 42 countries set to attend Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore after 2-year hiatus Video

SINGAPORE — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will be speaking virtually at the 19th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on June 11, ...

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Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is scheduled to deliver a keynote speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on Friday. Before the curtain goes up ...

The US-Japan Security Treaty will never be Japan's life-saving straw, as that is not in line with the nature of "America First," Song told Global Times. Yet when cooperating with the US strategy, Japan may need to sober up that "America First" is not and will never be Japan first. On the other hand, the US has been taking advantage of Japan. Take the Shangri-La Dialogue. It is more of a platform to lead the regional agenda rather than simply a stage for communication. By hyping the so-called regional threat, Tokyo will have more excuses to further increase its military budget and send troops overseas, forging its Self-Defense Force as an offensive army. It is not surprising if Kishida will raise the issues in his speech, as he has made clear his stance multiple times in the past. In May, during British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Japan tour, Kishida warned that "Ukraine might be tomorrow's East Asia." This is blatant fabrication and dissemination of the fake urgency - a potential war may soon break out in Asia - to terrify regional countries and force them to take sides.

Taiwan, Ukraine, and growing U.S.-China competition are all expected to figure during the three-day conference.

In this vein, Wei and Austin are expected to hold a face-to-face meeting on the sidelines of the dialogue, their first since President Joe Biden took office more than two years ago. The Shangri-La Dialogue, which was first held in 2002, comes at a time of increasing global geopolitical turbulence. “We expect, from our perspective, the substance of that meeting to be focused on managing competition in regional and global issues,” a senior U.S. official told Reuters. Wei and then acting U.S. Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan did the same during the last Shangri-La Dialogue in 2019. Above all, the dialogue will mark a welcome return to face-to-face diplomacy after two years of key meetings being carried out via the stultifying medium of Zoom. China’s aim is somewhat the reverse: to reassure its neighbors, if it can, that it does not intend to dominate its region by force. Much attention will also be on the speeches by U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who will address the conference on Saturday, and Chinese Defense Minister Gen. Wei Fenghe, who will follow him on Sunday. The latter two speeches are expected to see Austin and Wei outline their respective nations’ visions for the Asian region, as well as lobbing the occasional barbed remarks in the other’s direction.

The summit returns after 2 years, allowing its participants to meet face to face for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic started.

It presents an opportunity for regional defence policymakers to engage with each other face to face since 2019, as well as to meet informally on the sidelines of the conference to discuss important security issues. China, in May, has slammed the U.S. after the U.S. State Department removed from its website a line about Taiwan that acknowledged Beijing's position that the island is part of China, Reuters reported. He was appointed Minister of Defence in 2018, the same year he was made a State Councillor. Notably, Donald Trump stayed at the hotel when he met with North Korean president Kim Jong Un in 2018. Austin made an introductory visit to Singapore and the region in July 2021. According to Reuters, Wei and Austin are likely to meet on the sidelines. China has been constantly overflying Taiwan’s air defence zones, such as this incident documented by Taiwan's Ministry of Defense on May 30. An incident in January, reported by Reuters, is one such example. 30 PLA aircrafts (KJ-500 AEW&C*2, Y-8 ELINT*4, Y-8 EW*1, Y-8 ASW*1, J-16*6, J-11*8, J-10*4, SU-35*2, and SU-30*2) entered— 國防部 Ministry of National Defense, R.O.C. 🇹🇼 (@MoNDefense) #Taiwan’s southwest ADIZ on May 30, 2022. However, as reported by the BBC in May, when American President Joe Biden was asked if the U.S. would defend Taiwan in event of a Chinese invasion, he said it would, although he also said he believed a Chinese invasion to be unlikely. In addition to American worries of growing Chinese regional and global influence, the two global powers have been in contest over topics such as trade, and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, but nothing as acute as concerns over the status of Taiwan. Austin has been the U.S. Secretary of Defence since January 2021, and was previously the commander of U.S. Central Command, responsible for the American military presence in the Middle East and Central Asia.

SINGAPORE -- More than 30 top defense officials from the U.S., Asia and Europe are set to gather in Singapore for the region's biggest security summit.

SINGAPORE -- More than 30 top defense officials from the U.S., Asia and Europe are set to gather in Singapore for the region's biggest security summit, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine and tensions between Washington and Beijing looming large. SINGAPORE -- More than 30 top defense officials from the U.S., Asia and Europe are set to gather in Singapore for the region's biggest security summit, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine and tensions between Washington and Beijing looming large.

Defence Minister, Gen. Phan Van Giang is leading a Vietnamese delegation to the 19th Shangri-La Dialogue from June 10-12 in Singapore.

Gen. Phan Van Giangis leading a Vietnamese delegation to the 19th Shangri-La Dialoguefrom June 10-12 in Singapore. Defence Minister, Gen. Phan Van Giang is leading a Vietnamese delegation to the 19th Shangri-La Dialogue from June 10-12 in Singapore.

Focus on keynote speeches by Japan, US and China, with special address from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

However, there are also issues, such as North Korea, where the two could work together. Among the speakers will be the United Nations Secretary General’s Special Envoy on Myanmar Noeleen Heyzer and Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah. “We are making every effort to ensure that it is a professional, substantive meeting and we are going to be talking about some very serious issues, but no desire on the part of the United States to make a public spectacle.” “We expect, from our perspective, the substance of that meeting to be focused on managing competition in regional and global issues,” a senior US official told the Reuters news agency. The relationship between the US and China has deteriorated since the last SLD in 2019 amid recriminations over a range of issues from the origins of the coronavirus, to China’s crackdowns in Xinjiang and Hong Kong, its South China Sea claims and Taiwan. A key part of the in-person SLD is the opportunity for ministers and officials to hold discussions on the event’s sidelines. “The Indo-Pacific is in the midst of the most consequential strategic alignment of our time,” Australia’s newly-appointed Defence Minister Richard Marles said in a statement on Thursday before leaving for Singapore. “I welcome the role this Dialogue plays in shaping robust conversation on strategic challenges and regional security dynamics.” “Over the years, the SLD has provided a valuable, open, and neutral platform for the exchange of perspectives on defence and security issues and initiatives,” Singapore’s ministry of defence said in a statement ahead of the forum on Thursday. “Kishida’s role in this year’s Shangri-La Dialogue cannot be more evident – fanning the flames on the platform, misleading the agenda, making excuses for its future increase of military spending and coordinating with the US to expand the latter’s gang in the region under the framework of the ‘Indo-Pacific Strategy’,” it said. The next big hitter to take the stage will be Lloyd Austin, United States defence secretary, who is scheduled to speak on Saturday morning at 8.30am (00:30 GMT). His speech has been described as a “major policy speech on US defence policy in the Indo-Pacific”. The keynote address “will provide an important statement on Japan’s changing strategic outlook, the regional repercussions of the war in Ukraine, and the best way to manage the Asia-Pacific’s many pressing security challenges,” James Crabtree, executive director of IISS–Asia said in a statement. The Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD), the key security meeting in the Asia Pacific, gets under way in Singapore later on Friday with discussions expected to focus on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, US-China tensions, and the Myanmar crisis.

The two leaders reaffirmed the excellent bilateral defence relationship and the mutually beneficial partnership between the two countries.

Dr Ng expressed appreciation for the US' strong support for Singapore Armed Forces training in the US, including the US' support for the Republic of Singapore Air Force's acquisition and operationalisation of the F-35B fighter jets. This is Mr Austin's fourth trip to the region in his current role. During their meeting on Friday, Mr Austin and Dr Ng discussed ways to further strengthen defence cooperation between Singapore and the US, such as in the area of cyber defence, said Mindef.

JAPANESE Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will travel to Singapore on Friday (June 10) at the invitation of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, with Kishida set to ...

Chinese warplanes are targeting US allies in a high-stakes "game of chicken" over the Asia-Pacific that risks spiraling out of control -- raising the risk ...

For instance, much could be inferred from the tail numbers of the Chinese jets said to have repeatedly buzzed the Canadian planes, he said. "We waste our time trying to figure out Chinese intentions," she said of Western countries. "From their viewpoint, it doesn't make any sense you would be pushed into a war you don't want to fight." The Australian side has since confused right and wrong, and repeatedly spread misinformation to advocate and create confrontation." China continues to claim the vast majority of the 1.3 million square mile sea, where it has territorial disputes with various other countries, despite a landmark international tribunal that ruled against its claims in 2016. "I think we are taking every effort to ensure that this is a professional, substantive meeting." "Targeting US allies like Canada and Australia could be a way to probe weaknesses in such coalitions and raise awareness in the home audiences of those countries about the perils of military cooperation with the US against China," Heath said. "If there's a crash, the Chinese either want to fight a war and they will or they don't and they won't," she said. Beijing is using its pilots in a high-stakes "game of chicken," said Oriana Skylar Mastro, an expert on the Chinese military and a non-resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. Layton, writing on the Lowy Institute's blog, said China is now "pushing the envelope" on its gray zone tactics with its "increasingly aggressive" intercepts of airplanes belonging to US allies. "One of the ground rules that we aim to establish with the PRC is that we're going to characterize our position and they can characterize their position," the official said. That is the view of analysts who warn increasingly aggressive maneuvers by Chinese fighter jets -- accused of endangering both Canadian and Australian aircraft and crew in recent incidents -- are a sign Beijing is pushing its territorial claims to a dangerous new level.

It is the first meeting between General Wei Fenghe and General Lloyd Austin. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Previously, the two had spoken by phone in April. Chinese media have also said Beijing will use the meeting to discuss cooperation with the United States. Relations between China and the United States have been tense, with the world’s two largest economies clashing over everything from Taiwan and China’s human rights record to its military activity in the South China Sea.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met his Chinese counterpart Wei Fenghe on the sidelines of a major Asian security forum in Singapore where both countries ...

US and Chinese military chiefs sparred over the issue of Taiwan in their first face-to-face meeting on Friday at a major defense summit in Singapore, ...

The US also wants to see communication mechanisms between commanders at the theater level, officials said. The official said Minister Wei was responsive to the idea of establishing crisis communications mechanisms, suggesting there may be more concrete outcomes on these mechanisms later this year. The new arms sale will cover "spare parts for naval ships and related technical assistance," Taiwan's Defense Ministry said on Thursday. "The Chinese side thinks it is better to meet than not to meet and it is better to talks than not to talk," he said. "Secretary Austin also raised concerns about ... statements by PLA officials that the Taiwan Strait is not international waters. "It is not the mainland that is changing the status quo, it is Taiwan independence forces ... and outside forces that are trying to change the status quo," Senior Col. Wu Qian said at a news conference after the meeting.

Republic of Korea (ROK) Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-Sup is in Singapore for an official visit and to attend the 19th Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD).

The enhanced MOU furthers cooperation between both defence establishments to institutionalise defence dialogues and cooperation in maritime security, CBRNE, cybersecurity, military museum development and multilateral frameworks such as the ADMM-Plus. During the meeting, both Ministers reaffirmed the warm and growing bilateral defence relations between Singapore and the ROK. They exchanged views on regional security developments and discussed ways to enhance bilateral and multilateral cooperation such as in Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives (CBRNE) defence and in the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM)-Plus. This was underscored by the signing of an Enhanced Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Defence Cooperation. First signed by then-Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean and then-ROK Minister of National Defense Kim Tae-Young in December 2009, the MOU served to formalise existing defence cooperation and provided a framework to broaden defence cooperation. Republic of Korea (ROK) Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-Sup is in Singapore for an official visit and to attend the 19th Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD). Mr Lee called on Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen at the Shangri-La Hotel this evening.

US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin on June 10 reaffirmed to his Southeast Asian counterparts Washington's strong commitment to the region through the ...

It will also play a strong role in the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM ), an annual forum of the regional bloc and its eight partner countries. According to a release from Singapore's Ministry of Defence (Mindef), Austin said the US will continue to deepen cooperation with ASEAN, particularly in the area of maritime security. The US official had an informal meeting on the sidelines of the

Defence chief General Wei Fenghe is leading group of active senior military officers, retired officials and diplomats at the regional security summit.

The Ukraine war was a preview of turmoil that could follow if a global order rooted in rules and respect was flouted, he said.

That includes fully open lines of communication with China's defence leaders to ensure that we can avoid any miscalculations." It's what happens when big powers decide that their imperial appetites matter more than the rights of their peaceful neighbours. "We do not seek confrontation or conflict. China sees Taiwan as a breakaway province and wants to reunify with it, by force if necessary. "Our policy hasn't changed. "We seek inclusion, not division.

SINGAPORE: The United States will do its part to manage tensions with China and prevent conflict even though Beijing is becoming increasingly aggressive in ...

China has not condemned Russia's attack and does not call it an invasion, but has urged a negotiated solution. "Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is what happens when oppressors trample the rules that protect us all," Austin said. "We do not seek confrontation or conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.,

And ultimately, we can help to achieve a world of law and free choice, banishing the world of war and coercion.” You know, several of our European allies have been deploying to the Indo-Pacific—and operating alongside our partners here in unprecedented ways. And the United States is fully committed to doing our part. And in the rapid development of the Quad. And in our new, trilateral AUKUS security partnership. Our work together helps ensure that all countries in the region—large and small—have a say in its future. And that includes unprecedented Coast Guard investments in the Indo-Pacific. And that’s central to our new Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, which President Biden recently launched with 12 partners from across the region—including many partners here in Southeast Asia. Our security alliances and partnerships in the Indo-Pacific are a profound source of stability. And that’s at the heart of the President’s Indo-Pacific Strategy. Cruelty and violence from the regime in Myanmar. And threats in the gray zone. And so today, I want to talk about what that has meant in action, about how our partnerships have grown even stronger, and about how we’ve moved together toward our shared vision for the region. And the United States is deeply committed to getting the whole world past this pandemic.

Don't let the US change its strategic-ambiguity approach to Taiwan as it might provoke China. Don't talk about security components of the Quad as the region won ...

In this regard, the new Australian government should use the Magnitsky powers to sanction those responsible for human rights abuses against Muslim minorities in Xinjiang. All other Magnitsky countries—the US, the UK and Canada—and the EU did so last year and it was a mistake for the previous Australian government to have left it to the new government. Can the rules-based international order we have built through hard work, dialogue and consensus be upheld and the march of peace and prosperity continue? While being realistic that it won’t be reversed in the short term, Australia should continue to tell the US that it was a strategic mistake to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Although there can be many other positive initiatives, such as the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity, nothing will equate to the strategic heft of the US joining the TPP’s successor, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. In the meantime, we should fast-track those keen to join that meet the high standards of trade and economic investment. Which brings us back to the don’ts—don’t ask anyone to choose. First, recognise that being true to our own values doesn’t have to mean diverging from the interests of those we want to partner with, across Southeast Asia, Europe and the Pacific islands. This is not a criticism of the Quad, which is among the most important partnerships for Australia. That means making the UK and Taiwan new members. It is of course always important to adapt to different audiences, to understand different interests and to not impose our values on others. It left a sense of needing to apologise for being democratic and for expecting countries and their governments to have and follow international standards. Don’t refer to ‘the West’ as it will upset the East. Don’t use the word ‘democracy’ as it will upset non-democratic countries. Don’t talk about these things as it might upset some nations, and the people doing them, or those hoping to ignore them. So, what actions should Australia, our allies and likeminded partners take that advance our interests, protect our values and promote a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific?

The 19th Shangri-La Dialogue, hosted by International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), opened in Singapore after a two-year Covid-19 pandemic induced ...

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Good morning, everybody. It's great to be back in Singapore. I was here in July of 2021 to give the IISS Fullerton Lecture, so John, I'm starting to feel ...

And ultimately, we can help to achieve a world of law and free choice, banishing the world of war and coercion.” You know, several of our European allies have been deploying to the Indo-Pacific—and operating alongside our partners here in unprecedented ways. Now, as a part of our one-China policy, we will continue to fulfill our commitments under the Taiwan Relations Act. That includes assisting Taiwan in maintaining a sufficient self-defense capability. Our work together helps ensure that all countries in the region—large and small—have a say in its future. Our security alliances and partnerships in the Indo-Pacific are a profound source of stability. And that’s at the heart of the President’s Indo-Pacific Strategy. You see it in the launch of new climate resilience efforts with ASEAN. And in our close partnership with Pacific Island countries. And so the Indo-Pacific is our center of strategic gravity. And you see it in the rapid development of the Quad. And in our new, trilateral AUKUS security partnership. And cruelty and violence from the regime in Myanmar. And threats in the gray zone. And so today, I want to talk about what that has meant in action, about how our partnerships have grown even stronger, and about how we’ve moved together toward our shared vision for the region. And the United States is deeply committed to getting the whole world past this pandemic.