Chinese Defense Minister to Attend Shangri-La Dialogue... Will He Meet US Defense Secretary?

Li Shangfu, Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defense, will attend the Asia Security Conference (Shangri-La Dialogue) held in Singapore from July 2 to 4, the Chinese Ministry of National Defense announced on the 29th.

Chinese Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Tan Kefei stated at a briefing that Minister Li received an invitation to attend the Shangri-La Dialogue and will visit Singapore from the 31st to July 4.

Li Xiangfu, Chinese Minister of National Defense.
Photo by Yonhap News

Spokesperson Tan said, "Minister Li will speak on 'China's New Security Initiative' at the Shangri-La Dialogue and is scheduled to meet with heads of delegations from relevant countries."

Although China did not disclose the names of the countries involved in the "meetings with heads of relevant delegations," observers are focusing on the possibility of a first bilateral meeting between U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Minister Li. For Secretary Austin to meet with Minister Li, who is subject to U.S. sanctions, it appears that measures such as lifting or temporarily suspending the sanctions on Minister Li by the U.S. side will be necessary.