The annual summit, hosted in Singapore and attended by defense ministers, military leaders and security experts from across the Indo-Pacific and beyond, has traditionally provided a platform for senior Chinese officials to outline Beijing’s strategic priorities and engage directly with counterparts from major powers.

This year, however, China did not send Defense Minister Dong Jun. Instead, Beijing dispatched a delegation composed largely of military academics and researchers from the People’s Liberation Army, marking a noticeable departure from its customary high-profile representation.

The absence also meant Dong did not participate in face-to-face meetings with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth or defense officials from countries including Australia, Britain, France and Japan.

A centerpiece of previous Shangri-La Dialogues had been a keynote address by China’s defense minister or another senior official outlining Beijing’s views on regional security, military modernization and international affairs. That session was absent from the conference agenda for the second consecutive year.

Speaking during his keynote address, Hegseth noted the absence of his Chinese counterpart and said he hoped future opportunities would arise for direct communication between the two sides on issues where military actions and intentions can be interpreted differently.

Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles described China’s limited participation as a missed opportunity for candid dialogue on regional security concerns.

Despite the absence from Singapore, Dong met Hegseth earlier this month during President Donald Trump’s visit to China.

Members of the Chinese delegation downplayed the significance of the minister’s nonattendance. Retired PLA senior colonel Zhou Bo said academic delegations had participated in the forum before, though he acknowledged that this year’s representation was at a comparatively lower level.

Analysts attending the forum suggested Beijing may have sought to avoid difficult questions regarding cross-strait tensions involving Taiwan and the impact of recent military corruption investigations on China’s defense establishment.

Chong Ja Ian said the composition of the delegation raised questions about its authority to speak on behalf of the Chinese government and military leadership.

Some diplomats also suggested Beijing may have wished to avoid a repeat of previous confrontations at the forum. In 2025, Hegseth sharply criticized China’s actions in the Indo-Pacific and urged regional allies to strengthen defense spending, prompting a strong response from Beijing.

This year, Hegseth adopted a more measured tone while still warning against any attempt by a single power to dominate the region. He said no country should be able to impose hegemony over regional security and prosperity, while also noting that relations between Washington and Beijing had improved compared with previous years.

China began regularly sending senior delegations to the Shangri-La Dialogue in 2007 and elevated its participation by dispatching defense ministers on multiple occasions, including from 2022 through 2024. The conference was suspended in 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Veteran Singaporean diplomat Bilahari Kausikan said the primary purpose of the forum remains maintaining U.S. strategic engagement in Southeast Asia. While Chinese ministerial participation is welcome, he argued, it is not essential to the event’s broader objectives.

The meeting between the leaders of the world’s two largest economies is expected to cover a wide range of strategic, economic, and regional issues, offering a platform to foster constructive dialogue and mutual understanding.

According to a statement from China’s foreign ministry, the two presidents will hold in-depth discussions on long-term and strategic matters affecting both nations and the broader international community.

The talks are expected to focus on ways to promote stability in trade relations, encourage economic growth, and strengthen cooperation in areas such as technology, security, and environmental sustainability.

A ministry spokesperson emphasized that China is committed to working closely with the United States to ensure positive outcomes from the meeting.

“We are willing to make joint efforts with the United States to promote the positive results of this meeting and provide new guidance and impetus for the stable development of China-U.S. relations,” the spokesperson said.

This statement reflects Beijing’s desire to ease tensions and pave the way for a more predictable and cooperative relationship.

President Trump, speaking aboard Air Force One en route to South Korea, expressed optimism about the upcoming talks, saying he believed both sides could reach “a good deal” that benefits the people of both countries.

His comments helped lift investor sentiment, with global markets showing cautious optimism as anticipation grew over a potential breakthrough in trade discussions.

For several months, both nations have sought to find common ground after a period of economic strain and policy disagreements. Analysts view this meeting as an opportunity to reset the tone of relations between Washington and Beijing, shifting from confrontation to collaboration.

There is widespread hope that the discussions will help stabilize global supply chains, which have faced disruptions due to tariffs and export restrictions in recent years.

The meeting will take place in the port city of Busan during President Xi’s state visit to South Korea, where he will also attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting.

While President Trump will not participate in the regional summit, his bilateral meeting with Xi is expected to draw global attention as a signal of renewed diplomacy between the two powers.

Observers note that ahead of the meeting, both sides have made symbolic gestures aimed at fostering goodwill.

Chinese state-owned company COFCO recently purchased several cargoes of U.S. soybeans from this year’s harvest, a move seen as a positive sign of cooperation and a gesture of goodwill ahead of the discussions.

The purchase is also expected to support American farmers while demonstrating China’s commitment to maintaining open trade relations.

The two countries have faced differences over a variety of issues, including technology restrictions, rare earth exports, and trade regulations.

However, diplomats on both sides emphasize that continued engagement remains essential to addressing shared challenges such as climate change, global health, and sustainable economic recovery.

Experts suggest that the Busan meeting could serve as a starting point for a new chapter in U.S.-China relations. By focusing on shared interests rather than disputes, the leaders may find ways to strengthen cooperation in global governance and promote economic growth that benefits the broader international community.

President Xi’s visit to South Korea, which will continue through Saturday, also reflects China’s commitment to enhancing regional diplomacy and collaboration within the Asia-Pacific region.

His meetings with South Korean leaders and participation in APEC discussions will likely highlight Beijing’s role in advancing inclusive growth and regional integration.

The upcoming talks between Xi and Trump offer an important opportunity to rebuild trust, reduce uncertainty, and lay the groundwork for a more stable and cooperative global economic order.

With both sides signaling openness and optimism, the world will be watching closely as the two leaders engage in what could become a defining moment for international diplomacy.