China dials down rhetoric but regional risks persist at Shangri-La Dialogue

China's delegation to Asia's premier security conference warned against "hegemonism" and "bloc confrontation" driven by "certain countries," a veiled reference to the United States. Major General Meng Xiangqing, leading the delegation at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, issued the warning during a session on managing threats to strategic stability.

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hegemonism and bloc confrontation

Meng, a professor at the People's Liberation Army National Defence University, also addressed remarks made earlier by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. "I noticed that Hegseth mentioned in his speech the recent meeting between the Chinese and US leaders in Beijing and the consensus reached there," Meng stated.

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I noticed that Hegseth mentioned in his speech the recent meeting between the Chinese and US leaders in Beijing and the consensus reached there.

He expressed a desire for improved relations, saying, "We also hope that China and the United States will move towards each other... promote the development of military-to-military relations along a healthy, stable and sustainable path." This approach marked a departure from the sharper criticism of the US that characterized the Chinese delegation's responses at the previous year's dialogue.

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We also hope that China and the United States will move towards each other ... promote the development of military-to-military relations along a healthy, stable and sustainable path.