SINGAPORE: French President Emmanuel Macron and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are among the top global leaders and security officials gathering in Singapore this weekend for the Shangri-La Dialogue—an influential defense forum where the focus will be on China’s growing assertiveness, the global fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and escalating regional tensions across Asia.
Macron is scheduled to deliver the opening keynote on Friday night. His address is expected to cover a range of pressing international issues, including China’s territorial ambitions, the ramifications of the war in Ukraine, and economic strains from U.S.-imposed tariffs on Asian allies under President Donald Trump’s administration.
This marks Hegseth’s first appearance at the dialogue, hosted by the International Institute for Strategic Studies. His attendance comes amid rising tensions between the U.S. and China, driven by the threat of new triple-digit tariffs from Washington and regional uncertainty over America’s commitment to Taiwan’s defense. Taiwan currently faces potential U.S. tariffs of up to 32%, adding to the strain.
Beijing considers Taiwan a breakaway province and has not ruled out taking it by force. China has stepped up its pressure campaign, sending military aircraft, warships, and surveillance balloons near Taiwan regularly. An aircraft carrier is currently stationed southeast of the island.
Ahead of his departure, Hegseth told reporters that U.S. policy is focused on deterrence.
“We seek no conflict with anybody, including the Communist Chinese,” he said. “We will stay strong for our interests. And that’s a big part of what this trip is all about.”
China is expected to send a lower-ranking delegation this year, breaking from the tradition of dispatching its defense minister. The reason for the change has not been officially disclosed.
This trip marks Hegseth’s second to the Indo-Pacific region since assuming office, following a March visit to the Philippines and Japan. That visit aimed to reassure allies concerned by President Trump’s transactional diplomacy and perceived reluctance toward foreign entanglements. The Philippines, in particular, has experienced increasing maritime confrontations with China in disputed areas of the South China Sea.
The U.S. continues to champion a “free and open Indo-Pacific,” conducting regular naval operations through the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea—waters nearly entirely claimed by China. Europe has taken a more economics-centered approach, but countries like France have participated in freedom-of-navigation operations. France recently concluded a five-month Indo-Pacific mission with a carrier strike group.
France has also emphasized the importance of defending a rules-based international order in the face of China’s rising power. The Indo-Pacific holds strategic importance for France, with over 1.6 million French citizens living in its overseas territories in the region.
Macron is expected to highlight how Russia’s war in Ukraine is destabilizing not only Europe but also parts of Asia. According to the Élysée Palace, the French president will underline Moscow’s efforts to disrupt global order, a concern increasingly relevant as China aligns more closely with Russia. North Korea, meanwhile, has reportedly sent troops to support Moscow’s military.
The forum takes place amid other simmering conflicts in the region. Myanmar remains gripped by a brutal civil war, worsened by a powerful earthquake in March. Tensions also flared this week on the Thai-Cambodian border, where a brief clash resulted in a Cambodian soldier’s death. Though both nations claim the incident has been resolved, their long history of territorial disputes keeps the situation fragile.
More worryingly, India and Pakistan—two nuclear-armed neighbors—came dangerously close to full-scale war earlier this month. A series of escalating military exchanges involving missiles, artillery, and drones left dozens dead, with Pakistan reportedly shooting down several Indian aircraft before a ceasefire was declared.
The Shangri-La Dialogue is expected to serve as a crucial platform for addressing these flashpoints and reinforcing international cooperation in a rapidly changing global security landscape.
