Defence chiefs, including from the US and China, call on Singapore's leaders

Meetings take place ahead of discussions of pressing security issues over the weekend

- Andrew Wong

Defence chiefs from around the world, including the United States and China, called on Singapore’s leaders on Friday, on the sidelines of the 20th Shangri-La Dialogue.

Acting Prime Minister Lawrence Wong hosted Chinese State Councillor and Defence Minister Li Shangfu at The Treasury, as part of the Chinese general’s introductory visit to Singapore.

Mr Wong took on the role as Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had tested positive for Covid-19 and is recuperating, the Prime Minister’s Office said on Thursday.

Separately, US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin called on Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen at the Shangri-La hotel, the venue for top defence officials from around the world to meet and discuss pressing security issues over the weekend.

Mr Austin also met Dr Ng and other South-east Asian defence ministers and their representatives on the sidelines of the dialogue.

Dr Ng had bilateral meetings with defence ministers in town for the dialogue, and reaffirmed defence ties.

He met his counterparts from Canada, Germany, New Zealand, Qatar, Sweden, Ukraine and Britain.

He also had meetings with regional counterparts Mohamad Hasan of Malaysia, Haji Awang Halbi Haji Mohd Yussof of Brunei, and Carlito Galvez Jr of the Philippines, as well as Asean secretary-general Kao Kim Hourn.