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This week also witnessed the opening of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Asia's premier defense summit. Notably, China's top defense representative, Dong Jin, was absent amidst corruption investigations. Instead, a lower-level delegation from the People’s Liberation Army is attending. China has articulated a desire for "more consensus," even as its absence raises questions about direct engagement with the US.
This absence signifies an intensifying rivalry as China builds its military capabilities in a bid to challenge US dominance in Asia. With significant investments in navy expansion and nuclear arsenal developments, Beijing is working to assert control over critical shipping routes, particularly in relation to Taiwan and the South China Sea.