Shangri-La Dialogue

Last updated

Shangri-La Dialogue
CJCS and SECDEF at Day 1 of Shangri-La Dialogue PB383 (34678468080).jpg
Delegates at the dialogue

The IISS Asia Security Summit: The Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD) is a "Track One" inter-governmental security conference held annually in Singapore by an independent think tank, the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). The dialogue is commonly attended by defence ministers, permanent heads of ministries and military chiefs of mostly Asia-Pacific states. The forum's name is derived from the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore, where it has been held since 2002.

Contents

The summit serves to cultivate a sense of community among the most important policymakers in the defence and security community in the region. Government delegations have made the best out of the meeting by holding bilateral meetings with other delegations on the sidelines of the conference. While primarily an inter-governmental meeting, the summit is also attended by legislators, academic experts, distinguished journalists and business delegates.

Over the years, the Shangri-La Dialogue has become one of the most important independent forums for the exchange of views by international security policy decision-makers. Besides the host nation, countries that have participated in the dialogue have included Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Russia, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, the United States and Vietnam.

History

Countries participating in Shangri-La Dialogue Shangri-la member countries.png
Countries participating in Shangri-La Dialogue

Background

Prior to the first summit, Asia lacked a regional security framework like Europe. Earlier in 1996, US Defence Secretary William Perry and Thai Defence Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh each proposed separate initiatives to gather their counterparts in Asia but came to nothing. [1] The only Track One multilateral Asian security forum was the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), which was found to be unwieldy since it focused on confidence-building and at worst, little more than a talkshop. [2] In addition, the ARF was led by foreign ministers, leaving defence diplomacy and security cooperation in the region somewhat in want for a mechanism for defence ministers to interact.

The SLD was conceived by the current IISS Director-General and Chief Executive Sir John Chipman in 2001 in response to the clear need for a forum where the Asia Pacific defence ministers could engage in dialogue aimed at building confidence and fostering practical security cooperation. During the 36th Munich Conference on Security Policy, Chipman 'noticed Asian officials receiving short shrift' and realised that 'Asia needed its own defence institution at which defence ministers met and spoke'. [1]

Initially the SLD was modelled after the Munich Conference on Security Policy, but with greater ambition - to create a Track One organization that "defence ministers needed if they were to have any chance at all of meeting multilaterally in a transregional format". [3] Invitations were essentially focused on the members of the ASEAN Regional Forum in order to serve as a true regional security institution. Singapore was chosen as the location for the initial conference and with the Shangri-La Hotel as the venue. [3] Chipman approached Singapore President SR Nathan in February 2001 to propose the idea, and Nathan offered to provide IDSS support until the IISS could run the conference independently. The idea was brought forward to the Cabinet of Singapore and was approved to be supported by the Ministry of Defence. [4] [ dead link ]

In 2004, the IISS Asia office was opened to allow IISS to organize the summit independently. [5]

2000s

Timothy J. Keating and Jerry Mateparae discussing mutual defense issues at the Shangri-La Dialogue in 2009 Timothy J. Keating Jerry Mateparae 090529-N-HP196-001.jpg
Timothy J. Keating and Jerry Mateparae discussing mutual defense issues at the Shangri-La Dialogue in 2009

Initiated in 2002, it was an "unofficial defence summit'" which allowed defence officials to meet "privately and in confidence, bilaterally and multilaterally, without the obligation to produce a formal statement or communique". [6] About a dozen deputy ministers and ministerial representatives attended the inaugural summit (then known as the Asia Security Conference), including a US delegation led by US Deputy Defence Secretary Paul Wolfowitz. [7] [8] The first summit was organized in six plenary sessions lasting for one and a half days.

In 2003, the second summit expanded its invitation list to include chiefs of defence staff, and permanent or under secretaries of defence ministries. The agenda this year was organized around five plenary sessions supplemented by two simultaneous off-the-record 'break-out groups'. [3]

In 2004, the invitation list was again further expanded to include participating countries' most senior intelligence and the police and national security officials of some countries. The number of break-out groups was increased to three.

In 2005, Pakistan was represented for the first time.

In 2006, the number of delegations had risen to 23 countries, with 17 being led by their respective defence ministers, and another 3 by deputy defence ministers or equivalent.

The 2007 iteration of the SLD was a landmark meeting as it attracted top-level participation from China. The Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the People's Liberation Army (with the status of Vice-Minister) Lieutenant-General Zhang Qinsheng, led Beijing's delegation that year. Subsequently, in 2008, Vietnam and Myanmar elevated their representation to deputy minister level. Then in 2009, Vietnam was represented at full ministerial status with General Phung Quang Thanh leading its delegation.

In 2008, Laos was represented for the first time. Notably despite the natural disasters in their respective countries, Myanmar and China were led by high-level officers, Deputy Minister of Defence, Major-General Aye Myint for Myanmar and Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant-General Ma Xiaotian for China. The number of plenary sessions increased from five to six, while the number of break-out groups increased from three to six. [9]

In 2009, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was the first head of government other than Singapore to address the summit's opening dinner. It is also known that Singapore and Australia signed a memorandum of agreement on the sidelines of the 2009 summit allowing Singapore's armed forces access to Australian training facilities for a further decade.

2010s

In the 2010 summit, President of the Republic of Korea, Lee Myung-Bak, was the first head of state to make the keynote speech at the summit. Other notable delegations include the Russian delegation, led by Deputy Prime Minister (and former defence minister) Sergei Ivanov, and the Chilean delegation, led by Minister of Defence Jaime Ravinet de la Fuente. Despite Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's resignation the day before the SLD, his successor, Prime Minister Naoto Kan, ensured that Minister of Defense Toshimi Kitazawa could attend and speak in a plenary session at the SLD. US Defence Secretary Robert Gates made his fourth SLD appearance and China's Lieutenant-General Ma Xiaotian, Deputy Chief of the General Staff led a strong delegation from China's People's Liberation Army.

In June 2011, there was a marked shift in the debate towards non-traditional security issues as well as on the South China Sea. [10] [11] Malaysian Prime Minister Najib in his keynote address mentioned new multilaterism to deal with security challenges to the region includes people smuggling, drug trafficking, terrorism and nuclear proliferation. [12] China was represented at the summit for the first time at full ministerial level. Chinese Defence Minister General Liang Guanglie indicated China's peaceful rise in the region and willingness to work with neighbouring countries to resolve competing claims to disputed territorial claims in the South China Sea. [12] [13] [14]

The United States reiterated its commitment to the Asia Pacific region despite having budgetary constraints, wars and a waning domestic economy. [12] [15] Outgoing US defence secretary Robert Gates said he will bet anyone $100 that in the next five years US influence will be strong if not stronger than today. [16] The United States has always been seen as the preeminent power in the Pacific Rim and now has to accommodate an emerging China to help maintain stability and security in the region. [17] [18] [19]

In 2017, the 16th SLD was held from 2–4 June 2017. [20]

Jim Mattis and Lee Hsien Loong discussing military relations between their two countries at the Shangri-La Dialogue in 2017 CJCS Attends Shangri-La Dialogue PB383 (35011925936).jpg
Jim Mattis and Lee Hsien Loong discussing military relations between their two countries at the Shangri-La Dialogue in 2017

In 2018, the 17th SLD was held from 1–3 June 2018. [21]

The 18th SLD was held in June 2018 and has the most participants to date from nearly 50 countries and territories. [22] The dialogue was opened by Singapore Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong. Six plenary sessions were held and other special sessions on maritime security, defence, industrial development and defence co-operation [22]

2020s

The 19th SLD, which was originally scheduled for 5–7 June 2020, was postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore. It was further postponed to 2022 as the pandemic was still ongoing in Singapore. [23]

The 19th SLD was held on 10-12 June 2022 after a two-year hiatus. [23] [24] [25] Japan's Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, was a keynote speaker, [26] while the Minister of National Defense for China, General Wei Fenghe, addressed and was questioned by an audience over China’s vision for regional order. [27] Representatives from 42 countries which included 37 ministerial-level delegates and more than 30 senior defence officials attended the summit. [25] Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a virtual address to the Summit on 11 June. [28]

Format

Plenary sessions

Each summit typically is opened by a keynote address, historically given by a prominent Singaporean figure. Beginning in 2009, a head of state or head of government has delivered the keynote address. Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in 2009, the President of the Republic of Korea Lee Myung-Bak in 2010, and Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Sri Najib Tun Razak in 2011 respectively delivered the opening speech. Five plenary sessions are held across the remaining two days of the summit where all participants are expected to be present. These on-record sessions are usually led by a minister only and the press are invited to report on them. By 2006, plenary speaking slots are allocated only to ministers from a delegation.

Break-out groups

Introduced by the second summit in 2003, break-out groups are held concurrently with each other and allow more open discussion between participants on specific issues. These sessions also ensure that sufficient time is available during the summit for ministers to hold bilateral meetings. The break-out groups are strictly off-the-record so that officials could advance policy goals more freely. The break-out groups are usually chaired by a senior IISS staff member. By 2006, break-out group speaking slots are allocated only to ministers or senior officials from a delegation. [3]

Bilateral meetings

While largely unpublicised, the Shangri-La Dialogues provide an annual venue for ministers, CHODs, and top defence officials to network and expand their defence diplomacy in private, bilaterally and multilaterally. Rooms are reserved for the meetings to take place during breaks. A government delegation might typically arrange 15-20 such encounters, lasting half an hour each, over the course of the summit. Singapore's defence minister usually also hosts multilateral private lunches.

Non-Government delegates

The summit has been consistently attended by a mix of 200-plus non-government delegates, which include politicians, academics, businessmen, think tank analysts, media and other NGO personnel. This has given the SLD an aspect of a Track Two process, even though it is primarily a Track One event. Taylor notes that there are limited opportunities for interaction between non-government and government representatives. [1] The inclusion of non-government delegates is the result of dynamic efforts being made so that the SLD does not become an "exclusive club". [1]

Impact

Shangri-La has contributed to the enhancement of defence diplomacy [ citation needed ] by participating countries, in part by inspiring similar forums in other regions (e.g. the Halifax International Security Forum).

The 2010 Chinese Defence White paper explicitly mentioned senior Chinese participation in Shangri-La Dialogue since 2007 as one of their forums of participation in regional security cooperation. [29] The IISS thinks that increased representation from China indicate an increased level of engagement on a multilateral level and that the PLA wished to improve its image after recent measures, which were seen as too aggressive, impacted relations with affected countries. [30]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foreign relations of Singapore</span> Overview of the foreign relations of Singapore

Singapore maintains diplomatic relations with 189 UN member states. The three exceptions are the Central African Republic, Monaco and South Sudan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International Institute for Strategic Studies</span> British international affairs think tank

The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) is an international research institute or think tank focusing on defence and security issues. Since 1997, its headquarters have been at Arundel House in London. It has offices on four continents, producing data and research on questions of defence, security and global affairs, publishing publications and online analysis, and convening major security summits. The Guardian newspaper has described the IISS as ‘one of the world’s leading security think tanks.’

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shanghai Cooperation Organisation</span> Eurasian multilateral security organization

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a Eurasian political, economic, international security and defence organization established by China and Russia in 2001. It is the world's largest regional organization in terms of geographic scope and population, covering approximately 80% of the area of Eurasia and 40% of the world population. As of 2021, its combined GDP was around 20% of global GDP.

There are two annual conferences that go by the title of the Asia Security Conference. The oldest of these is held by the Indian think tank Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) in New Delhi, India. This conference brings together globally renowned scholars who interact with senior members of IDSA as well as senior members of the Indian Government. The 12th Annual Asian Security Conference was hosted by IDSA from 11 to 13 February. These conferences are by invitation only. At the 2010 Conference, the Indian Defence Minister and Indian Defence Secretary both played key roles. The conference annually explores issues of security affecting South Asia. Attendees for the 2010 Conference included senior academics from the United States, Pakistan, Russia, Iran, India, and the United Kingdom, among others. Notable names included G. John Ikenberry, and Aaron Friedburg from Princeton, Summit Ganguly from the Indiana University, John Geis from Air University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ASEAN Summit</span> Meeting of ASEAN member states

The ASEAN Summit is a biannual meeting held by the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in relation to economic, political, security, and socio-cultural development of Southeast Asian countries. In addition, it serves as a prominent regional (Asia) and international (worldwide) conference, with world leaders attending its related summits and meetings to discuss various problems and global issues, strengthening co-operation, and making decisions. The summit has been praised by world leaders for its success and ability to produce results on a global level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shangri-La Hotel Singapore</span> Hotel in Singapore

Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore is a five-star deluxe hotel located on Orange Grove Road, off Orchard Road, Singapore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">East Asia Summit</span> Annual ASEAN meeting since 2005

The East Asia Summit (EAS) is a regional forum held annually by leaders of, initially, 16 countries in the East Asian, Southeast Asian, South Asian and Oceanian regions, based on the ASEAN Plus Six mechanism. Membership expanded to 18 countries including Russia and the United States at the Sixth EAS in 2011. Since its establishment, ASEAN has held the central role and leadership in the forum. EAS meetings are held after the annual ASEAN leaders' meetings, and plays an important role in the regional architecture of Asia-Pacific. The first summit was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 14 December 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Member states of ASEAN</span> List of member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations

As of 2010, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has 10 member states, one candidate member state, and one observer state.

The East Asian Community (EAC) is a proposed trade bloc for the East and Southeast Asian (ESEA) countries that may arise out of either ASEAN Plus Three or the East Asia Summit (EAS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Look East policy (India)</span> Indias foreign policy dealing with South-East Asian nations

The Act East policy is an effort by the government of India to cultivate extensive economic and strategic relations with the nations of Southeast Asia to bolster its standing as a regional power and a counterweight to the strategic influence of the People's Republic of China. Initiated in 1991, the Look East policy by Indian government marked a strategic shift in India’s perspective of the world. It was developed and enacted during the government of Prime Minister Narsimha Rao (1991–1996) and rigorously pursued by the successive administrations of Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1998–2004) and Manmohan Singh (2004–2014).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">China–Japan–South Korea trilateral summit</span> Annual diplomatic meeting

The China–Japan–South Korea trilateral summit is an annual summit meeting attended by the People's Republic of China, Japan and South Korea, three major countries in East Asia and the world's second, fourth and 12th largest economies. The first summit was held during December 2008 in Fukuoka, Japan. The talks are focused on maintaining strong trilateral relations, the regional economy and disaster relief.

Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW), formerly called the International Energy Week, is an annual week-long energy conference comprising several exhibitions, workshops, and networking sessions focused on fundamental issues within the energy industry. Held since 2008, it is organized by the Energy Market Authority.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Defence diplomacy</span>

In international relations, defence diplomacy, refers to the pursuit of foreign policy objectives through the peaceful employment of defence resources and capabilities.

The Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA) is a Singaporean research institute and think tank which focuses on international relations, especially in ASEAN and the Asia-Pacific (APAC). The Institute conducts research, hosts events, and plans conferences that deal with pressing issues in international affairs. It is the oldest think tank in Singapore, being founded in 1961.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Quadrilateral Security Dialogue</span> Strategic dialogue between Australia, India, Japan, and the United States

The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QSD), commonly known as the Quad, is a strategic security dialogue between Australia, India, Japan and the United States that is maintained by talks between member countries. The dialogue was initiated in 2007 by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, with the support of Australian Prime Minister John Howard, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney. The dialogue was paralleled by joint military exercises of an unprecedented scale, titled Exercise Malabar. The diplomatic and military arrangement was widely viewed as a response to increased Chinese economic and military power.

The foreign policy of the Modi government is associated with the policy initiatives made towards other states by the current government of India after Narendra Modi assumed the office of prime minister on May 26, 2014.

The Fourteenth East Asia Summit was held in Bangkok, Thailand on November 4, 2019. The East Asia Summit is an annual meeting of national leaders from the East Asian region and adjoining countries. EAS has evolved as forum for strategic dialogue and cooperation on political, security and economic issues of common regional concern and plays an important role in the regional architecture.

The Fifteenth East Asia Summit was held in Hanoi, Vietnam on November 14, 2020. The East Asia Summit is an annual meeting of national leaders from the East Asian region and adjoining countries. EAS has evolved as forum for strategic dialogue and cooperation on political, security and economic issues of common regional concern and plays an important role in the regional architecture.

The Sixteenth East Asia Summit was held in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei on October 26–27, 2021. The East Asia Summit is an annual meeting of national leaders from the East Asian region and adjoining countries. EAS has evolved as forum for strategic dialogue and cooperation on political, security and economic issues of common regional concern and plays an important role in the regional architecture.

References

Footnotes

  1. 1 2 3 4 David Capie, Brendan Taylor (2010). The Shangri-La Dialogue and the Institutionalization of Defence Diplomacy in Asia. The Pacific Review Vol 23 No 3.
  2. ↑ Brandon, John (31 July 2002). "International Institute for Strategic Studies The International Herald Tribune - ASEAN". Archived from the original on 14 March 2012. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5th Dialogue report (2006). The Shangri-La Dialogue: The 5th Anniversary IISS Asia Security Conference. p11-19: The International Institute for Strategic Studies.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. ↑ "The Asahi Shimbun". The Asahi Shimbun. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  5. ↑ Conley Tyler, Melissa (2017). Think tank diplomacy. Rhea Matthews, Emma Brockhurst. Leiden. p. 61. ISBN   978-90-04-33121-1. OCLC   1096236756.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  6. ↑ Cossa, Ralph A. (2 August 2002). "International Institute for Strategic Studies Taipei Times - Asian multilateralism". Archived from the original on 14 March 2012. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  7. ↑ "IISS". www.iiss.org. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  8. ↑ Ralph A Cossa (2 August 2002). "Regional Security: Different Targets". Far Eastern Economic Review.
  9. ↑ 7th Dialogue report (2008). The Shangri-La Dialogue: The 7th IISS Asia Security Conference. The International Institute for Strategic Studies. p. 5.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  10. ↑ Sheryn Lee (24 June 2011). "The tenth Shangri-La Dialogue".
  11. ↑ Yoichi Kato. "Tony Tan, ex-Singapore deputy PM: Shangri-La Dialogue a success".
  12. 1 2 3 Dan De Luce (8 June 2011). "Cold War mentality hinders peace in Asia-Pacific". AFP.
  13. ↑ Kevin Lim; Charmian Kok; John Ruwitch; Sanjeev Miglani; Robert Birsel (5 June 2011). "China says will not threaten anyone with modern military". Reuters.
  14. ↑ Kathrin Hille; Demetri Sevastopulo (5 June 2011). "Cordiality hides undercurrent at Asian summit". The Financial Times Ltd.
  15. ↑ "Gates vows new weapons for US role in Asia".
  16. ↑ Gavin Fang (6 June 2011). "Shangri-La Dialogue". Australia Network, ABC.
  17. ↑ Tao Wenzhao (8 June 2011). "Exchanges will build trust". China Daily.
  18. ↑ BERNAMA (3 June 2011). "Asean Eyes Constructive Relations With China, India - Najib". BERNAMA.
  19. ↑ BERNAMA (4 June 2011). "Champion In Defence Diplomacy Makes Najib Opening Speaker Of Shangri-La Dialogue". BERNAMA.
  20. ↑ "About the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue". www.iiss.org. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  21. ↑ "IISS". www.iiss.org. Archived from the original on 9 June 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  22. 1 2 "18th Shangri-La Dialogue opens in Singapore". vietnamnews.vn. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  23. 1 2 "Update on the 2020 IISS Shangri-La Dialogue: Asia Security Summit". IISS. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  24. ↑ Auto, Hermes (9 June 2022). "Shangri-La Dialogue resumes in S'pore, Ukraine president Zelensky to give special address | The Straits Times". www.straitstimes.com. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  25. 1 2 "China must decide for itself if attending Shangri-La Dialogue adds value: Ng Eng Hen". CNA. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  26. ↑ Lin, Chen; Ali, Idrees (10 June 2022). "At Asia security summit, Japan vows to boost regional security role". Reuters. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  27. ↑ "IISS Shangri-La Dialogue 2022: China's vision for regional order". International Institute for Strategic Studies. YouTube. 12 June 2022.
  28. ↑ "Watch: Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks at Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore". CNA. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  29. ↑ Wang Guanqun, Ed. (31 March 2011). "China's National Defense in 2010". Archived from the original on 4 May 2011.
  30. ↑ Josh Rogin and Philip Walker. (1 June 2011). "U.S. and China set for military talks in Singapore".

Bibliography

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.