Story perspectives

China Sends Scholars, US Sec Hegseth Headlines; Australia Warns

5/29/2026

Summary

Story summary

China sent only PLA scholars to the Shangri-La Dialogue.
Major General Meng Xiangqing led the delegation while Defence Minister Dong Jun stayed absent.
U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth will give a headline speech on Saturday.
Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles said China’s military buildup lacks strategic reassurance and previewed an AUKUS uncrewed underwater-vehicle announcement.
The summit will focus on Middle East conflicts, the U.S.–Iran war, and Taiwan-Strait of Hormuz tensions.

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Story summary

China sent only PLA scholars to the Shangri-La Dialogue.
Major General Meng Xiangqing led the delegation while Defence Minister Dong Jun stayed absent.
U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth will give a headline speech on Saturday.
Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles said China’s military buildup lacks strategic reassurance and previewed an AUKUS uncrewed underwater-vehicle announcement.
The summit will focus on Middle East conflicts, the U.S.–Iran war, and Taiwan-Strait of Hormuz tensions.