Shangri-La Dialogue 2026: Hegseth's Address Signals Softer US Tone on China Amid Regional Volatility
AI summaryAt the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered a keynote address that was notably less confrontational toward China than last year's, reflecting the recent Xi-Trump summit's impact. Regional concerns over Taiwan, the Iran war, and a deteriorating security environment dominated discussions, with China's delegation warning against 'hegemonism' and 'bloc confrontation'.