TOP military officials from China and the United States prepare to meet for rare formal talks in Southeast Asia.
China’s Ministry of National Defense confirmed the participation of Minister Dong Jun in the annual Asia-Pacific Premier Defense Summit Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore from May 31 to June 2.
Secretary Lloyd Austin will also be present, according to the U.S. Defense Department.
Formal talks between the two defense chiefs are highly expected. The annual defense summit enables decision-makers from across the Asia-Pacific, including Europe and the Middle East, to address the most pressing regional security issues.
The anticipated meeting between the two defense chiefs comes after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other high-ranking Chinese officials during a trip to Beijing in April.
The summit will take place in the wake of shifting geopolitics and escalating situations in the Asia-Pacific region.
