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Defence ministers, military chiefs, diplomats and analysts have gathered in Singapore this weekend for the annual Shangri-La Dialogue, where regional security challenges will be discussed and a flurry of bilateral meetings held.

It is expected to provide the first indication of US policy direction in the Indo-Pacific since the summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing earlier this month, when the two sides agreed to reset ties and manage their disputes.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is delivering a keynote speech in Singapore on Saturday morning – an address that will be closely watched for signals on relations with China and how they could affect the region.

American allies will also be keen to hear about Washington’s policy in the region, a year after Hegseth used the same event to push them to boost their military spending.

Hegseth is expected to address regional and global concerns including the US commitment in the Asia-Pacific – especially with regards to the South China Sea and Taiwan – as well as AI rivalry and America’s war with Iran, which has plunged the world into the most severe energy crisis in decades.

Officials from countries including Japan, the Philippines, Vietnam, New Zealand and Australia are expected to attend the event.

Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun has skipped the forum – which Beijing regards as a US-led event – for a second year in a row.

Beijing has in recent years pursued closer defence and security ties with its neighbours, especially Southeast Asian nations.

This year’s three-day event will be the 23rd edition of the Shangri-La Dialogue.

Reporting by Albee Zhang, Amber Wang, Alcott Wei, Yuanyue Dang and Kolette Lim

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