Singapore police have increased patrols and closed roads to ensure security for the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's top security conference, taking place this weekend.
The Singapore National Police announced on May 30 that a large-scale security operation will be conducted to ensure safety for the 20th Shangri-La Dialogue forum on June 2-4 at the Shangri-La Hotel. This is the region's leading security event, with the participation of more than 550 delegates from defense and security agencies of more than 40 countries around the world .
Police will increase vehicle checks around the Shangri-La Hotel during the event, and deploy additional personnel to conduct patrols in the area.
Singaporeans are advised to strictly follow police instructions at checkpoints and avoid entering the roads around the hotel during the summit.
The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), the event's organizer, said this year's Shangri-La Dialogue will adopt an expanded agenda to increase opportunities for discussion and debate among delegates. Defense ministers, senior defense officials, business leaders and security experts from the Asia- Pacific , Europe and North America will discuss serious security challenges facing the region and the world.
Police stand guard outside the Shangri-La Dialogue venue in Singapore in May 2019. Photo: Reuters
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will deliver the opening speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue on June 2. James Crabtree, director of the IISS Asia region, said Australia is playing an important role in the security of the Asia-Pacific region and Prime Minister Albanese has demonstrated his role as a diplomatic leader and close cooperation in the region since taking office.
The participation of the US and Chinese defense ministers at the Shangri-La Dialogue is also a matter of concern. However, Washington said on May 29 that Beijing had declined an invitation for a meeting between US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Chinese counterpart Li Shangfu in Singapore.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning responded on May 30 that the US "understands the reasons why the China-US military dialogue is facing difficulties" and called on Washington to "correct its wrongdoings."
The Shangri-La Dialogue has been held annually since 2002, although it had to be postponed in 2020 and 2021 due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ngoc Anh (According to StraitsTimes )
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