Some Shangri-La Dialogue 2023 Information

Singapore has been hosting the annual International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD) inter-governmental security conference at the Shangri-La Hotel since 2002. The latest SLD, held June 2 – 4, 2023 (hence SLD23) boasted more than 600 delegates from 49 countries, including many senior politicians and military personal.

As the SLD includes increasing rivals, China and the US, the SLD has risen in importance. 

Video here and above. Chinese Defence Minister General Li Shangfu met with Singapore's Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen in Singapore on June 1, 2023, for talks the day before the SLD. ---

Shawn Chung reports: 

What's said in the public addresses rarely deviate from established rhetoric. 

A Chinese PLA Lieutenant Colonel was seen 'claiming' seats before US SECDEF’s speech.. but it's a very Chinese-thing to do. In Singapore this is a common practise called "chope" in singlish. But we Singaporeans use tissue paper packs at the hawker centre. I don’t know how PRC flag stickers, the Lieutenant Colonel used, will go down... 

On the sidelines, the security intelligence meeting between two dozen countries was actually reported on, a little, by Reuters.

Singapore's diplomatic corps is known for utilizing protocol as an art form... but note the seating arrangements with the Defense Minister (DM) Dinner, hosted by Singapore. Sitting next to Singapore's DM was the American SecDef on his right, and the Ukraine DM on his left. While the PRC DM sat directly opposite him, with the Australian DM to his left. Go figure!

Around SLD23 Singapore signed a defense equipment and technology deal with Japan...  

Rolldock Storm Carrying RSS Impeccable

Heavy lift ship Rolldock Storm (carrying Invincible-class submarine RSS Impeccable from Kiel, Germany to Singapore) was last tracked along the coast of Western Sahara taking the Cape route (around Africa) to Singapore. The ETA in Singapore is August 1. So the crew of the RSS Impeccable will have a frantic week to get the submarine unloaded and ready for its unveiling at Singapore's 57th National Day on August 9th, 2023.

Shawn Chung
June 9, 2023
 

Pete Comment

Regarding the SLD23 security intelligence meeting spies advise: 

As Russia did not attend that meeting impacts of its invasion and occupation of Ukraine were discussed. Also transnational crime (people smuggling, drugs, weapons smuggling and piracy). Counter-terrorism was another shared issue.