China sends only scholars to Shangri-La Dialogue; Australian Defense Minister laments missed communication opportunity

The Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's largest defense forum, kicked off today, but China sent only scholars. Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles stated that as countries need more "strategic reassurance" from Beijing, China has missed an opportunity for communication. The three-day annual Shangri-La Dialogue is being held in Singapore. Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun is absent for the second consecutive year, and Beijing has only sent a delegation led by Professor Meng Xiangqing of the PLA National Defense University, consisting mainly of PLA experts and scholars. Other countries are represented by defense chiefs, including Richard Marles, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, and defense ministers from France, the UK, Malaysia, and the Philippines. In an interview with Reuters before the forum officially opened, Marles said the Shangri-La Dialogue provides a "rare opportunity" for defense ministers and policymakers to exchange ideas and develop relationships, adding, "China's participation in the past is something we have welcomed. It is important to have the opportunity to engage with China." He further pointed out, "We have seen China undertaking the largest conventional military expansion since the end of World War II, while failing to provide strategic reassurance to other countries." Marles stated bluntly, "The rules-based global order is under pressure in the Indo-Pacific." The order he refers to is the common laws, agreements, and mechanisms established by the international community after World War II. Marles said, "Now is the time for us to focus on our relationships around the world. We need to develop relationships with those who have common ground in areas where we can cooperate, and take action whenever there is an opportunity." For example, Australia is expanding defense cooperation with countries in the Asia-Pacific. Regarding concerns that the Iran war might distract the US from Asia, Marles said, "We see that the US remains very committed to the Indo-Pacific. For us, the alliance with the US is absolutely the cornerstone of our national security."