Japan's Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi used the Shangri-La Dialogue to counter China's military rise and bolster regional security partnerships, highlighting Japan's growing role amid perceived US waning commitment and China's regional ambitions.
2026年香格里拉對話在新加坡舉行，東南亞國家在大國競爭下尋求平衡。他們反對區域陣營化，強調東協中心性，並在安全上依賴美國，經濟上依賴中國。面對台海議題，東南亞國家立場謹慎，並關注AI、網路安全等新興議題，採取「避險戰略」以爭取最大國家利益。
The US has shown a softer tone towards China, notably through Hegseth's comments, while Canada's long-awaited strategic partnership with China has been marred by past incidents like the Meng Wanzhou arrest.
Beijing condemned Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.'s remarks calling China a 'severe threat,' accusing him of damaging bilateral trust and showing ingratitude for Chinese aid. China's foreign ministry urged Manila to prevent 'clowns' from sabotaging ties.
Beijing has condemned Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.'s remarks calling China a "severe threat," stating the comments damaged bilateral trust and showed ingratitude for Chinese aid. China's foreign ministry urged Manila to prevent "clowns" from sabotaging ties.
Australia announced a new joint project under Aukus to develop underwater drone systems and will purchase three secondhand Virginia-class submarines. Defence Minister Richard Marles's close association with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, a controversial figure, highlights a potential conflict between Australia's commitment to international law and its security alliance with the US.
Australia announced a new Aukus project for underwater drone payloads and will buy three US Virginia-class submarines. Defence Minister Richard Marles's remarks alongside US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth highlighted a tension between Australia's commitment to the rules-based order and Hegseth's more aggressive, 'warfighter'-focused approach.
South Korea and Japan are discussing a military supply agreement (ACSA) to simplify the exchange of supplies during emergencies. However, domestic opposition in South Korea, citing concerns over relations with China and Japan's wartime history, presents significant hurdles.
This year's Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore saw less confrontation between the US and China than expected. The Chinese defense minister did not attend, and the US Secretary of Defense delivered a surprisingly mild speech towards China, suggesting a temporary calm in their geopolitical rivalry.
Defense leaders at Singapore's Shangri-La Dialogue noted a worsening security environment in the Asia-Pacific, marked by escalating conflicts and US-China rivalry. Discussions focused on increased military spending, with the US urging allies to boost defense capabilities, while Taiwan's status remains uncertain.
China and the UK have seen steady development in military relations, highlighted by Admiral Tony Radakin's historic visit to China in 2025, the first by a UK Chief of Defence Staff in a decade.
Malaysia's Defense Minister Khaled criticizes international double standards after facing pressure over a contract dispute, highlighting unequal treatment of developing vs. powerful nations.
Major General Meng Xiangqing, leading the Chinese delegation at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, urged for improved military relations between China and the US, seeking a 'healthy, stable, and sustainable' path, in a notably less confrontational tone than last year.
The IISS Shangri-La Dialogue saw increased defense spending commitments from nations like Japan, Philippines, and Netherlands, with a focus on China's low-level delegation and tensions, as well as strategic lessons drawn from Ukraine's asymmetric warfare against Russia.
Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Koizumi emphasized the importance of regional sovereignty and highlighted Japan's non-nuclear, non-strategic bomber stance, in an apparent reference to China, amid heightened tensions over Taiwan and military policy revisions.
Hegseth's speech at the summit conveyed a less confrontational tone towards China, praising 'historic' Xi-Trump talks, yet underscored readiness to counter the PLA in a potential Taiwan Strait conflict.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth's speech at an international forum will gauge the stability of US-China relations post-Xi-Trump talks, amid Asia-Pacific concerns over the Iran war's impact on security and economies.
亞太年度安全論壇香格里拉對話將於29日至31日在新加坡舉行。美伊戰爭、台海局勢以及美國對亞洲的承諾將是主要議題。外界關注美國國防部長的發言，以評估美國在中東衝突中是否會忽略亞太地區。
