The 16th Shangri-La Dialogue security talks are set to open in Singapore on Friday. Defense chiefs and experts from 30 countries will participate in Asia-Pacific's premier defense summit, including officials from China, Australia, Canada, France and Japan.
Key topics include the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the management of maritime disputes.
The Korean Peninsula nuclear issue is believed to be at the top of the agenda. Pressure on the DPRK has been increasing, as Pyongyang has recently stepped up its nuclear and missile program.
The deployment of the US Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system in South Korea, which Washington and Seoul claim is aimed at defending against threats from the DPRK, has drawn criticism from China for undermining the regional strategic balance and security interests.
Participants are also expected to share their views on the fight against terrorism, which has spread from the Middle East and Afghanistan to some countries in Southeast Asia, posing a risk to the entire region.
The annual forum serves to cultivate a sense of community among the most important policymakers in the region's defense and security community.
(With inputs from Xinhua)
