Shangri-La Dialogue drama: The vital issues that deserve a bigger spotlight
Beyond the American-Chinese exchanges that grab headlines, there was considerable discourse on matters that didn't excite global media but remain absolutely vital for global security. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH
At the Shangri-La Dialogue, some tell-tale signs from the cramped media centre give away what will be the main story. When keyboard clattering intensifies and people crowd around screens, you know the alerts are going to fly. But when the nattering pipes up, you know there's little interest in whatever is emerging from the sideline sessions.
News veterans of this security summit know the drill and the headlines were predictable. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth's barbs aimed at China fired off the main round of headlines. Then hours later, with high-level Chinese representation absent, the remarks of Beijing's delegation leader, Rear-Admiral Hu Gangfeng, in a plenary session provided the next round.
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