The increasingly tense relationship between the US and China, and the implications of the conflict in Ukraine for Asia, will be at the heart of the Shangri-La Dialogue, the region's premier security summit. taking place in Singapore this weekend.
According to the Straits Times, this year's 20th Shangri-La Dialogue will take place from June 2-4 in Singapore, with a focus on discussions on pressing security challenges in the region.
More than 550 delegates from more than 40 countries will be present at the three-day forum – including US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu. Mr. Austin is expected to speak on US leadership in the Indo-Pacific on June 3. Meanwhile, Li Shangfu will present China's new security initiatives on June 3.
Shangri-La Hotel before the 20th Shangri-La Dialogue. Photo: ST
In this event, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is the highest-ranking guest and he will give an important speech at the opening ceremony on June 2. Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta will also speak at the conference.
Other delegates expected to attend the dialogue include Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov, defense commanders from Britain, Germany, Indonesia, Japan and South Korea, as well as the chief of staff of the armed forces. of the Philippines.
On the eve of this year's Dialogue, observers predict that the US defense secretary and his Chinese counterpart may hold a meeting on the sidelines of the summit. The US made a proposal to hold a dialogue between the two leaders in May. However, recently, the Pentagon confirmed that the Chinese side had declined the invitation.
Venue of the 19th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore in June 6. Photo: Reuters
Austin said Beijing's rejection of Washington's offer was "regrettable" and said he welcomed any opportunity to interact with his Chinese counterpart.
The last time the US and Chinese defense ministers negotiated was at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Cambodia in November 11. At that time, Mr. Wei Fenghe was China's Defense Minister. Since then, US Defense Secretary Austin and his counterpart Ly Thuong Phuc - who was appointed in March - have yet to meet face-to-face.
On the eve of the event, public opinion expected that China and the US would create necessary conditions for dialogue and communication between the two countries, so that competition would not lead to conflict, towards preserving peace, and promoting prosperous development. honor in the region and around the world.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and related issues in the field of global security, will also be a prominent theme at this year's Shangri-La Dialogue.
Discussions at the forum are expected to address the evolving security architecture in the Asia-Pacific, including the AUSKUS Treaty between Australia, the UK and the US, as well as the Quartet of Australia and India. , Japan and America.
According to VNA/Newspapers
