China’s Defence Minister Skips Shangri-La Dialogue Amid Tensions
Singapore – At the annual Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s leading security forum held at the Shangri-La Hotel, a notable absence was felt: China’s Defence Minister, Dong Jun, did not attend. This marks the first time since 2019 that China has not sent its defence chief, with the event previously canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19.
Dong’s absence comes at a strategically sensitive moment amid escalating tensions between China and the United States. U.S. Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth seized the opportunity to express concerns about China’s military posture, claiming that Beijing is preparing to use military force to disrupt the power balance in the Indo-Pacific. He highlighted China’s military drills near Taiwan and increased South China Sea skirmishes, urging Asian nations to bolster their defence spending in response to these threats.
Analysts have noted that many countries in the region do not view China as an imminent threat requiring immediate increases in military budgets. Dylan Loh, an assistant professor at Nanyang Technological University, emphasized that the heightened rhetoric may not reflect the views of most Asian nations.
China has remained mum about Dong’s absence, leading to speculation regarding its implications. Some theorized that sending a senior official may have risked miscommunication during such a delicate time in U.S.-China relations, referencing the ongoing tariff war. Political analysts suggest that facing tough questions on contentious issues like the South China Sea and Taiwan might have deterred Dong from attending.
Despite the absence of high-level discussions, China underscores the importance of dialogue, with military spokesperson Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang reaffirming China’s openness to communication with the U.S. at various levels.
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