The Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's premier security summit, will convene in Singapore from May 31 to June 2, focusing on the fraught relationship between China and the United States. Ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, along with South China Sea tensions, are also set to be key discussion points.
The event will attract top defense officials, military officers, diplomats, and security analysts from nearly 50 countries. Filipino President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will deliver the keynote address, expressing concerns over new South China Sea rules imposed by China's coast guard, which he described as "worrisome."
"This affects the region and it affects the world," Marcos emphasized.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is scheduled to meet with his Chinese counterpart, Dong Jun, marking a significant development as China had declined to engage with the U.S. delegation at last year's summit. Austin aims to address regional security issues while reassuring Asian allies of Washington's commitment to countering China. China's defense ministry confirmed Dong's attendance but did not specify a meeting with Austin.
Experts are skeptical about meaningful outcomes. Drew Thompson, a former Pentagon official, noted the deep mistrust between the two powers. "The U.S. and China have so little trust or consensus about common interests," Thompson said.
Collin Koh, a security scholar at Singapore's S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, emphasized the importance of maintaining strategic communications to prevent further deterioration. "The Sino-U.S. rivalry has become a structural reality," Koh said.
While the summit will address global issues such as Ukraine and Gaza, China-related concerns will be at the forefront. Marcos' keynote address is expected to highlight South China Sea issues, and discussions on the Taiwan Strait are anticipated.
Thompson pointed out that China's aggressive foreign policy has antagonized many of its neighbors, prompting them to seek security assurances from the U.S. and deepen regional cooperation. "We've seen rapid development of security relationships between Korea and Japan, Australia and Japan, and the Philippines and Japan," he said.
As the Shangri-La Dialogue unfolds, the international community will closely watch how these critical security issues are addressed and whether progress can be made in easing regional tensions and fostering greater cooperation among major powers.
