The Dialogue is one of the world’s leading security forums, where senior defense officials discuss emerging security issues, but this year’s meeting will focus on trade and technology wars between the US and China. The two countries are also disputing strategic security issues including the East Sea and the Taiwan Strait.

Ahead of Shangri-La Dialogue 2019, General Joseph Dunford, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, accused Beijing of breaking its promise not to militarize the East Sea. A group of US senators has submitted to the Congress a bill to punish Chinese individuals and organizations connected with the militarization of the East Sea and East China Sea.

China has sent its Defense Minister to Asia’s leading security forum for the first time in nearly a decade. This will be an opportunity for General Wei Fenghe to talk about China’s contributions to regional security and clarify Beijing’s role in Asia.

The US delegation is led by acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan, who is expected to further outline the defense aspects of the US’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy (FOIPS).

Mr. Shanahan said he will meet Minister Wei on the sidelines of Shangri-La Dialogue 2019 on Saturday to explore possible cooperation.