China Snubs Shanghai-La Dialogue, Sends Military Academics Amid US Tensions

China has chosen not to send its defense minister, Dong Jun, to this year's Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, a key Asian security forum, instead delegating a lower-level academic group from the People's Liberation Army National Defense University. This marks the first time in five years that Beijing will forgo high-level representation at the event, signaling increased tensions and strained military relations with the United States. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will attend the forum, where he is expected to articulate U.S. defense policy for the Indo-Pacific region and reassure Asian allies amid rising concerns about Chinese aggression and military posture. The decision by China to avoid high-level engagement at the dialogue reflects ongoing friction related to tariffs, visa restrictions on Chinese students, and broader geopolitical rivalry. Beijing has not confirmed any planned meetings with the U.S. delegation during the event, underscoring the current chill in bilateral defense communications. This absence suggests a deliberate diplomatic signal from China amid escalating tensions with Washington.