Chinese and UK officials at Shangri-La Dialogue vow to strengthen military ties

Chinese and British military officials held talks on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, signaling a commitment to bolster their defense ties. The meeting focused on concrete plans to enhance military engagement between the two nations.

Major General Meng Xiangqing, who headed the Chinese delegation to Asia's largest defense summit, met with UK military representatives, including Air Commodore Dom Stamp. Meng emphasized the importance of military-to-military relations within the broader China-UK relationship, stating that ties between the two armed forces have developed steadily in recent years.

The discussions also acknowledged the positive impact of past high-level exchanges. The visit of then UK Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Tony Radakin to China last year was noted as a significant step in advancing bilateral relations, marking the first such visit by a British military chief in a decade. The Chinese delegation also included Senior Colonel Liu Wanxia, a professor at the National Defence University.

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relations between the two militaries have developed steadily in recent years