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Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Shangri-La Dialogue 2025: Did China really take a back seat by not sending its defence minister?
Major General Hu Gangfeng (C), Vice President of National Defense University of Chinese People's Liberation Army attends the Shangri-La Dialogue Summit in Singapore on May 31, 2025. (Photo by MOHD RASFAN / AFP) AFP Shangri-La Dialogue 2025 Did China take a back seat by not having its defence minister attend top security meet? SINGAPORE - Almost everyone was talking about China at the Shangri-La Dialogue this weekend. The main question: Why did Beijing opt not to send its defence minister? For the large part of the three-day security forum held at the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore, China was not around to push back against the criticisms levied against it. But it appears that this was a calculated loss that Beijing is prepared to accept. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth mentioned China about 20 times in his speech on May 31, as he urged other countries in the Indo-Pacific to increase their defence expenditure, buy more American arms and buffer themselves against the 'threat' posed by China. French President Emmanuel Macron on May 30 invited the security policymakers and military chiefs attending the forum to think of Russia's aggression in Ukraine as what China might do to Taiwan or the Philippines. The role of the Chinese defence minister is to conduct defence diplomacy and explain China's security positions to other countries. Had he been at this weekend's top security gathering in Singapore, Beijing would have had the podium for over an hour to respond to Washington and address the concerns raised by other delegates. Not this year. For the first time since 2019, China's defence minister did not attend. This meant the platform set aside for China had to be downsized accordingly. Its delegation chief – a military scholar with the rank of a one-star general – spoke in a smaller room to a smaller audience for a shorter time than the minister would have had. He was one of five panellists at one of the three concurrent sessions at the end of the day on May 31. As the vice-president of the People's Liberation Army National Defence University, Rear-Admiral Hu Gangfeng is not involved in combat operations or policymaking. He gave a brief response to Mr Hegseth's speech, dismissing his criticisms as 'unfounded accusations' and going against the spirit of the forum, to reduce and not magnify differences. The Chinese embassy in Singapore, which belongs to the ministry of foreign affairs and usually remains backstage at the defence ministry-driven Shangri-La Dialogue, made the unusual move of posting a response to Mr Hegseth's speech on its Facebook page, describing it as 'steeped in provocations and instigation' and a relentless hyping of the China threat. But China's overall response to its critics at the forum this year was markedly low-key compared with the year before. In 2024, the Chinese defence ministry officials briefed reporters hours after then US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin gave his speech; Minister Dong Jun held court at a plenary session the next day; and just before the forum ended, four or five military experts stood in different corners of a hotel room to answer journalists' questions almost in a speed-dating format. Did China shoot itself in the foot by ceding the space at the annual forum for the US to run with its narrative of rallying allies and partners in the region against Beijing? Not necessarily. A Chinese security expert explained that while the delivery style may differ, whoever represents China at the forum is expected to deliver the same talking points that have been pre-cleared by the senior leadership, at the apex of which is President Xi Jinping, the de facto commander-in-chief. He declined to be named as he was not cleared to speak to the media. Rear-Adm Hu alluded to this on May 31 when pressed to explain the absence of the defence minister: 'Objectively speaking, I'm the appointed person today to convey our thinking and exchange views with you all. I suppose you would've heard clearly our true thinking.' He argued that China's representation at the forum changes over the years, and this variance should be seen as a 'perfectly normal work arrangement that does not impact the actual efficacy of our sharing of defence policy thinking'. But this does not mean that China has given up on the Shangri-La Dialogue and will never send its defence minister again. Rear-Adm Hu reaffirmed that China still values and sees the forum as a 'very good platform to engage and discuss with all parties about regional cooperation in Asia-Pacific'. This raises the question – if so, why didn't Beijing send its top defence diplomat here? Observers have proffered a number of theories for Admiral Dong's no-show. A likely explanation is that since the leaders of China and the US have not talked and decided at the highest level on how to manage the bilateral relations, which are fractious across trade, politics and security, there is not much that their defence ministers can meet and talk about, in practical terms. Having bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the forum in the third-party ground of Singapore is the other main purpose of being here, besides to speak at the forum. For example, when Adm Dong attended the forum in 2024 for the first time as defence minister, his bilateral meetings with the then Defence Secretary was crucial for a reset of China-US military ties, which had stalled after then US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi angered China by visiting Taiwan in 2022. Given the uncertainty and unpredictability of bilateral ties, China may have opted for a conservative, wait-and-see approach this year by sending a lower-level representation. Another supplementary consideration is: While Adm Dong appeared to have been in the clear after reportedly being questioned for corruption last year, rumours of other generals being investigated for corruption continue to surface . The absence of high-level military officials would forestall awkward questions, even in casual conversation . As with many things related to the Communist Party of China, the full picture may never emerge. Two scholars in the official Chinese delegation confessed to The Straits Times that they simply did not know the reason Adm Dong did not attend this year's forum. For this year, Mr Hegseth gets the spotlight all to himself. Yew Lun Tian is a senior foreign correspondent who covers China for The Straits Times. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Malaysia Sun
3 days ago
- Politics
- Malaysia Sun
World Insights: What's at stake as Shangri-La Dialogue kicks off in Singapore?
The 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue, with more than 550 delegates from over 40 countries expected to attend, kicks off in Singapore amid rising tensions and global security challenges. SINGAPORE, May 30 (Xinhua) -- The 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's leading defense summit, convenes from Friday to Sunday in Singapore, with more than 550 delegates from over 40 countries expected to attend. China will be represented by a delegation from the National Defense University of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. As the annual summit takes place amid rising geopolitical tensions, analysts say key topics will likely include regional cooperation, the U.S. security policies and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. The implications of sweeping U.S. tariffs are also likely to attract attention, as officials will use the platform to reassure partners and navigate an increasingly multipolar security landscape. PERSISTING U.S. TRUST DEFICIT High on the agenda of the gathering are seven plenary sessions, two ministerial roundtables and three special forums. Topics range from regional stability and defense innovation to cyber and space threats. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is set to speak on Saturday about America's "new ambitions for Indo-Pacific security." Observers say he faces a tough task in convincing Asian allies, many of whom remain uneasy about President Donald Trump's disruptive policies, not least those related to trade. Experts like Tan See Seng from Singapore's S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies argue that Washington's reassurances are often transactional in nature. Trump's reassurances are better understood as deals "with their requisite pounds of flesh," he wrote. William Choong, senior fellow at Singapore's ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, deems the effort to restore trust an "impossible mission." "Whatever Hegseth might say in terms of strategy or priorities will sound hollow compared to what the United States has done since President Donald Trump came to power on Jan. 20," he said. French President Emmanuel Macron is set to deliver a keynote speech late Friday at the Shangri-La Dialogue, where he's expected to position France -- and Europe -- as champions of international cooperation and rules-based trade. Prior to his trip to Singapore, Macron visited Vietnam and Indonesia. Since launching its Indo-Pacific strategy in 2019, France has steadily strengthened ties with Southeast Asia, noted Jean-Loup Samaan of the Middle East Institute at the National University of Singapore. LOUDER ASEAN VOICES Amid mounting geopolitical and economic uncertainties, Southeast Asian countries are expected to project a more unified and independent stance at the Dialogue. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will give a speech and make clear how, amid global geopolitical uncertainties and sharpened geo-economic fault lines, Malaysia as ASEAN's current chair, provides strategic leadership for the region and beyond, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, the organizer. In response to U.S. tariffs, ASEAN has called for greater unity among its members and with like-minded partners. The Dialogue comes just days after the inaugural ASEAN-China-GCC (the Gulf Cooperation Council) summit, which have forged a groundbreaking path in cross-regional cooperation. At the 46th ASEAN Summit this week, leaders issued the Kuala Lumpur Declaration, reaffirming commitments to regional peace, a rules-based order and ASEAN unity, which are, as analysts observe, likely to be reflected in Anwar's address. Tan See Seng emphasized the value of Asian pragmatism: "What Asia has done well, it must now do even better amid the challenging conditions set by Mr. Trump." CHINA'S VIEWS EXPECTED As the global security landscape fractures and the multilateral system faces unprecedented strain, all eyes are turning to China's stance. On Thursday, Chinese defense ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang confirmed the attendance of a delegation from the PLA's National Defense University at the forum. He said that China has consistently engaged in various constructive dialogue platforms to elaborate on its visions and initiatives, communicate with all parties, enhance mutual trust, dispel misgivings and deepen cooperation. Regarding China-U.S. interactions, Zhang said China's values are expected to be a central topic throughout the summit. On this, Zhang said China puts emphasis on its military relations with the United States and remains open to communication at all levels. China's active role in global security governance has been increasingly acknowledged. In 2022, China introduced the Global Security Initiative (GSI). As of the end of 2024, with the support of 119 countries and international and regional organizations, the initiative has been written into 123 bilateral and multilateral cooperation documents. China's position at this year's Shangri-La Dialogue is expected to be closely followed, with many viewing China as a stabilizing force in a volatile world landscape. "We need China to take a more active role in the discussion, as it can help alleviate the conflict that affects the global community," said Nuriyeni Kartika Bintarsari, head of international relations at Jenderal Soedirman University. Han Yong Hong, associate editor of Singapore's newspaper Lianhe Zaobao, wrote that China is currently not eager to engage with the United States on trade or security, but is instead focusing on expanding markets and building supply chains. "Other trading nations around the world may also be willing to form flexible new frameworks for cooperation with China," she said. On top of U.S.-China relations, the summit is also expected to grapple with the protracted Russia-Ukraine conflict and simmering India-Pakistan tension, though analysts caution against expecting substantive progress on these issues. As a freewheeling event, the dialogue often features debates rarely seen in public elsewhere and provides the opportunity for more discreet bilateral and multilateral talks, analysts and diplomats were quoted by Reuters as saying. But that informality means it is unlikely to involve any breakthroughs to major issues.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Pakistan Field Marshal Asim Munir gifts morphed photo of Chinese military exercise
Pakistan's Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, in a public embarrassment, has been caught passing off a 2019 image of exercises being carried out by the Chinese People's Liberation Army, as evidence of Pakistan's operational success in Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos against India. As per a press release by the Inter-Services Public Relations, the media wing of the Pakistan Armed Forces, at a dinner event held by Pakistan Field Marshal Munir 'to honour the political leadership, steadfast commitment of the Armed Forces, and the indomitable spirit of the people of Pakistan,' he gifted a framed image to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif showing rocket launches. 'Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos' reads the title below the image, while the caption below that describes an operation by the Regiment of Pakistan Artillery. Also read | What war hysteria hides: deaths, destruction, disinformation The Pakistan Army named its retaliation to India's Operation Sindoor as 'Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos. What comes off as odd is the image's striking resemblance to an earlier image available on the website of China's Ministry of Defence. The 2019 image by Chinese military displays a night raid exercise of long-range multiple launch rocket systems in northwest China. While China's image contains only a singular rocket launcher prominently in the frame, the image being presented by Mr. Munir to Mr. Shehbaz prominently shows at least three launchers operating simultaneously. However, only a cursory glance at both the images reveal the same exact background showing a large plume of smoke behind the Chinese launcher and the purported Pakistani launchers. This points to an alleged morphing of the original image released by China. The press release by Pakistan on the said event also highlighted how Mr. Munir 'acknowledged the unwavering role of Pakistani youth and media in countering the disinformation campaign waged by India, describing them as a 'steel wall' against malign propaganda.' India during the Operation Sindoor had highlighted how Pakistan had 'unleashed a full-blown disinformation offensive' on social media in a 'desperate attempt to shift the focus from ground reality'. Mr. Munir's latest gift to Mr. Sharif appears to add to this offensive.
NDTV
26-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
'What A Joke': Pak Army Chief Trolled Over Fake Picture Of 'Op Bunyan'
New Delhi: In yet another embarrassment for Islamabad pushing forward its fake propaganda of claiming military operation victory over India, various social media users in Islamabad and across the world, mocked the Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir for presenting a framed painting, which shows striking resemblance to an alleged Chinese military exercise, as a gift to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at a high-profile dinner event. However, what caught the internet's eye was a framed painting gifted by General Munir to Prime Minister Sharif. Images released from the event showed the painting, which was touted as a depiction of the so-called military operation over India. But sharp-eyed users on social media platform X were quick to point out that the image bore a striking resemblance to a four-year-old photograph from a Chinese military exercise. Several users claimed that the image was lifted directly from publicly available visuals of the Chinese People's Liberation Army drills, raising questions about the authenticity of Pakistan's portrayal of Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos. "Apparently the Pakistan Army Chief has gifted PM Shehbaz Sharif a dated Chinese military photo as a souvenir to illustrate Pak Army attack against India. So not just a fake victory narrative but also a fake photo with it. What a joke @OfficialDGISPR," one social media user on X said. "They can't even produce original visuals of their own military operation," a second user in a post on X quipped. "In another embarrassing moment, Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif gifts a morphed photo of a Chinese PHL-03 rocket launcher downloaded from Google Images to Pakistani Field Marshal Asim Munir. (smiling emoji).#pakistan #asimmunir #operationsindoor #India #viral #funny #globalnews #trending #news," another social media user wrote on Instagram. Criticism has also mounted over the timing of Munir's promotion. Traditionally, the rank of Field Marshal is reserved for military leaders who steer their nation to undeniable victory in war. But in this case, no such conflict has occurred, and sources suggest that during the alleged "Operation Sindoor," it was India that inflicted damage on Pakistan's airbases and neutralised its drones and missiles. A high-profile dinner hosted by Pakistan Field Marshal Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff, has stirred fresh controversy online. The event, meant to honour the political leadership, the armed forces' "steadfast commitment," and the "indomitable spirit" of the people of Pakistan as seen during "Marka-e-Haq - Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos," became the subject of widespread mockery on social media. The dinner was attended by top political and military leadership, including President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Senate Chairman Yusuf Raza Gilani, and others. Indian defence systems have thwarted Pakistan's military response following Operation Sindoor, successfully intercepting most of the drones and unmanned aerial vehicles launched from across the border. Despite these realities, the Pakistani narrative around Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos was presented as a patriotic high point at the dinner. But the discovery of the Chinese-origin image has now undermined the credibility of the narrative and made the entire event a subject of public mockery. As of now, neither the Pakistan Army nor the government has issued any clarification regarding the viral image or the backlash over Munir's promotion.
New Indian Express
25-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Pakistan calls India 'existential threat': Report
NEW DELHI: Pakistan continues to view India as an existential threat and is expanding its nuclear arsenal accordingly, while India treats China as its primary strategic adversary and views Pakistan as a secondary concern. This assessment comes from the United States Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) in its 2025 Worldwide Threat Assessment, which raises fresh concerns over rising tensions and military build-ups in South Asia. The report highlights Pakistan's ongoing efforts to modernise its military capabilities, particularly its nuclear weapons programme, with support from foreign sources, primarily China. Islamabad, it says, is committed to developing battlefield nuclear weapons to offset India's conventional military superiority. 'Pakistan regards India as an existential threat and will continue to pursue its military modernisation effort, including the development of battlefield nuclear weapons,' the DIA stated. Pakistan is also deepening its military relationship with China. The report notes that Pakistan conducts multiple joint exercises with the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) each year, including a new air force drill completed in November 2024. China is also believed to be the main supplier of materials and technologies supporting Pakistan's weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programmes, with some items transiting through Hong Kong, Singapore, Turkey and the UAE. According to the DIA, Pakistan's military priorities for the year ahead include managing cross-border tensions, countering threats from Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Baloch nationalist militants, counterterrorism operations, and nuclear modernisation. The report also confirms that Pakistan has not adopted a 'No First Use' nuclear doctrine and continues to focus on tactical or battlefield nuclear weapons as a countermeasure to India's larger conventional forces.
