Singapore: Chinese, US delegates highlight significance of stable bilateral ties at Shangri-La Dialogue.

Both the Chinese and U.S. delegations participating in the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue 2026 have highlighted the significance of a stable China-U.S. relationship for the Asia-Pacific region and even the world at large. The three-day event, Asia's premier defense and security summit, opened on Friday in Singapore. In a speech on Saturday, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that relations between the United States and China are better than they've been in many years. Hegseth emphasized the importance of maintaining open lines of communication, echoing the recent consensus reached by the two heads of state to build a relationship of "constructive strategic stability." John Ellison, a senior advisor at FTI Consulting, said Hegseth's remarks demonstrated positive signals. At a special session titled "Managing Threats to Strategic Stability," Major General Meng Xiangqing, head of the Chinese delegation, responded to Hegseth's remark. Observers say that the Asia-Pacific region stands to gain from stable China-U.S. ties. Questions remain over how both sides can safeguard their shared interests, including maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. While Hegseth offered no clear answer regarding future U.S. arms sales to China's Taiwan region, experts say China's position and actions on the issue have remained consistent and unambiguous. Shotlist: Singapore - May 29-30, 2026: 1. Various of venue for Shangri-La Dialogue, flags; 2. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth walking toward meeting room; 3. SOUNDBITE (English) John Ellison, senior advisor, FTI Consulting: "I think positive signals, all based on President Trump and President Xi getting together in Beijing, that's what set the change. I think if we'd had this meeting a month ago, the speech might have been quite different."; 4. Chinese delegation walking toward meeting room; 5. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Meng Xiangqing, head of Chinese delegation: "We hope the two sides will work for the same goal, implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, and promote military-to-military relations along a healthy, stable, and sustainable track."; 6. Meng, others at meeting; 7. SOUNDBITE (English) Adam Leong Kok Wey, professor of strategic studies, National Defense University of Malaysia (ending with shot 8): "It will encourage more dialogues, more peaceful mechanisms, confidence-building mechanisms between these great powers and other middle powers in the region to try to maintain peace and dialogue, and using diplomatic means to manage issues and whatnot. And that itself will translate to better stability for the region."; 8. Participants at IISS Shangri-La Dialogue talking; 9. Sign saying "IISS Shangri-La Dialogue"; 10. SOUNDBITE (English) Cui Tiankai, former Chinese ambassador to United States "The Taiwan question is China's domestic affairs. China's reunification will be achieved. We are determined to do that. But for regional stability, it's quite clear who has brought about instability in this region. Not China. China has always been a force for stability, for prosperity of our region and for the world."; 11. Flags; 12. Traffic. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]