The Deputy PM will also participate in the 12th Australia–Japan–United States Trilateral Defence Ministers’ Meeting with Japan’s Minister of Defense, Yasukazu Hamada, and United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III in Singapore.

“Australia is committed to a peaceful, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific, where sovereignty is respected and the global rules-based order is upheld,” Minister Marles said.

“It is more important than ever for us to invest in our regional partnerships and speak openly about the kind of region we want to live in.

“The Shangri-La Dialogue plays an important role in promoting conversation about our strategic challenges, and I look forward to meeting with so many of my counterparts in Singapore.”

The Deputy Prime Minister will also travel to Indonesia and Vanuatu for high-level talks with his counterparts from 5 to 7 June.

“Indonesia is one of our closest and most important partners, and I look forward to progressing our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during my visit to Jakarta,” he said.

VIEW ALL

“I am grateful for the opportunity to visit Vanuatu. I am proud of our strong and enduring partnership, and I welcome discussions on how we work together as a Pacific family on our shared Pacific priorities.”

People’s Republic of China State Councilor and Defense Minister General Li Shangfu is also expected to attend the 20th Shangri-La Dialogue and pay an official visit to Singapore from 31 May to 4 June.

General Li will reportedly deliver a speech on “China’s New Security Initiative” at the Shangri-La Dialogue, meet with heads of delegations of relevant countries during the event, and have talks with leaders of the Singaporean government and defence departments.

Robert Dougherty

Robert is a senior journalist who has previously worked for Seven West Media in Western Australia, as well as Fairfax Media and Australian Community Media in New South Wales. He has produced national headlines, photography and videography of emergency services, business, community, defence and government news across Australia. Robert graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Majoring in Public Relations and Journalism at Curtin University, attended student exchange program with Fudan University and holds Tier 1 General Advice certification for Kaplan Professional. Reach out via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via LinkedIn.