Shangri-La Dialogue: US-China defense ministers meet face-to-face for the first time
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin (left) and his Chinese counterpart Wei Fenghe – Photo: REUTERS, AP
Conversation Shangri-LaAsia’s leading security conference, held directly from June 10 to 12 in Singapore, with the participation of more than 30 top defense officials from the US, Asia and Europe, including including US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Chinese counterpart Wei Fenghe.
According to Reuters news agency, bOn the sidelines of this event, it is expected that the US and Chinese defense ministers will have their first meeting since US President Joe Biden took office.
“We think the essence of this meeting will be to focus on managing the competition in regional and global issues,” a senior US official told Reuters.
“We’re working to make sure it’s a professional meeting. We’re going to discuss some very serious issues,” the US official added.
Chinese media quoted information from the Chinese government as saying that Beijing will use this meeting to discuss cooperation with the US.
Mr. Lloyd Austin and Mr. Wei could then use their speeches later this week to reaffirm their commitment to the Asia-Pacific region.
Relations between China and the United States have become strained in recent times. They have issued multiple statements critical of each other on a range of issues such as Taiwan, China’s military activities in the South China Sea, and Beijing’s efforts to expand its influence in the region.
“Certainly the main issue this year will be the US-China competitive relationship,” said Meia Nouwens, a research fellow on China’s military modernization and defense policy at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). ) – the organizer of the Shangri-La Dialogue 2022, commented.
The President of Ukraine is scheduled to speak online
The organizers of the Shangri-La Dialogue said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will also speak at the event in an online session.
Although this year’s Shangri-La Dialogue focuses on Asian security issues, the Russia-Ukraine conflict will still be significantly discussed at the event. Reuters news agency, citing sources familiar with the matter, said Ukraine will send a delegation to this leading security conference in Asia, while the Russian side will not attend.
“The US representatives will use this opportunity to criticize China’s strategic partnership with Russia,” said Li Mingjiang, associate professor at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore.
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