The Voice News: The 22nd edition of the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s premier defense and security summit, has commenced in Singapore. The conference began on Friday (30 May) and will continue until Sunday, according to Chinese media outlet CMG.
Singapore’s Ministry of Defence reported that representatives from 47 countries are participating in the summit. Among the participants are 40 minister-level dignitaries, 20 chiefs of defense forces, and more than 20 senior defense officials and researchers.
Key topics of discussion at the summit include regional cooperation, U.S. security policy, the Russia-Ukraine war, and the impact of recent U.S. tariff policies.
A delegation from China’s People’s Liberation Army National Defense University is attending the conference.
On Friday night, French President Emmanuel Macron delivered the keynote address. He stated that Asia and Europe share common interests in maintaining global order.
On Saturday, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is scheduled to speak. He is expected to present America’s “new security strategy” for the Indo-Pacific region. However, analysts suggest it may be difficult for Hegseth to restore the confidence of many Asian allies concerned about the Trump administration’s policies.
Also speaking on Saturday are the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. As ASEAN chair, Ibrahim is expected to highlight Malaysia’s strategic leadership during his address, according to the event organizer, the International Institute for Strategic Studies.