This week’s top security summit in Asia is expected to be marred by tensions between the United States and China, as China has declined a bilateral meeting between the superpowers’ defense chiefs.
The Shangri-La Dialogue, which draws top defense officials, senior military officers, diplomats. Weapons manufacturers, and security analysts from around the world, will be held in Singapore from June 2 to 4.
More than 600 delegates from 49 nations will attend the meeting. Which will be opened by a keynote address from Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
According to analysts, the dialogue is invaluable for the numerous bilateral and multilateral military-to-military meetings conducted alongside plenary sessions and defense ministers’ speeches.
The Pentagon said Monday that Li Shangfu, China’s new Defence Minister, will not meet with Lloyd Austin.
In response to a question at a news conference in Beijing, the spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Defence stated that exchanges between the two militaries have always been ongoing, but that the United States is “entirely to blame” for the current difficulties.
“On the one hand, the United States says it wants to strengthen communication, but on the other hand. It ignores China’s concerns and artificially creates obstacles, severely undermining mutual trust between the two militaries.” The spokesperson said, without elaborating on the nature of the obstacles.
Thursday in Tokyo, Austin lamented the absence of a scheduled meeting, describing it as “unfortunate.”
“I would welcome any opportunity to engage with Li,” Austin said. I believe that defense departments should routinely communicate with one another or have open communication channels.
Analysts anticipate multiple participants discussing Russia’s Ukraine issue, China-Taiwan relations, and North Korea’s nuclear projects. However, neither the Russian nor North Korean governments will be represented.
Observing Li
Regional diplomats and defense analysts have stated that they will be monitoring the performance of General Li, who was appointed China’s new defense minister in March and was sanctioned by the United States in 2018 for purchasing armaments from Russia.
Li serves on the powerful Central Military Commission under President Xi Jinping and is close to his key military ally, Zhang Youxia, they said, even though the Chinese position of defense minister is primarily diplomatic and ceremonial.
Drew Thompson, a visiting senior research fellow at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore (NUS), stated that Xi was most likely responsible for the rebuke to the United States.
“The reality is that General Li’s instructions are to portray the United States in a very negative light, not to engage in dialogue to improve and stabilize the relationship, which is unfortunate,” Thompson said.
National University of Singapore political lecturer Chong Ja Ian believes the two countries can communicate without a meeting.
“I’m certain they will engage in a heated debate during the plenary sessions. Followed by breakout sessions and possible informal conversations,” he said.
Lynn Kuok, a senior fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies. Which administers the Shangri-La Dialogue, was pessimistic about U.S.-China ties.
“What we need to focus on here. However, are guard rails to prevent competition from escalating into open conflicts,” Kuok said. “However, I believe China is also wary of these guard rails.”
Among other major themes, ongoing tensions in the South China and East China Seas are likely to be tackled.
The evolving security relationships of AUKUS, which strengthens ties between the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, and the Quad grouping of the United States, Japan, India, and Australia are also anticipated to be discussed, especially in light of China’s fears that the groupings are an attempt to encircle China.
