Japanese Defense Minister Tomomi Inada (1st L), Australian Defense Minister Marise Payne (2nd L), and French Minister of the Armed Services Sylvie Goulard (1st R) attend a plenary session of the Shangri-La Dialogue held in Singapore on June 3, 2017. The 16th Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD) opened here on Friday night as senior military officials, diplomats and experts gathered here to address challenges to Asia-Pacific security. (Xinhua/Then Chih Wey)
SINGAPORE, June 2 (Xinhua) -- The 16th Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD) opened here on Friday night as senior military officials, diplomats and experts gathered here to address challenges to Asia-Pacific security.
"We must work together through our regional institutions for the common good, reject the de-globalization impulse with a principled and sustained commitment to greater economic integration, embrace opportunities, and address the vulnerabilities of the digital age," said Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull at a keynote speech to open the event.
He called for sharing of intelligence to fight against terrorism as terrorists' networks are transnational.
The Chinese delegation is led by He Lei, vice president of the Academy of Military Science of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.
Participants of the dialogue will hold discussions on topics such as nuclear issues, security cooperation and measures to avoid conflicts, according to the dialogue agenda.
Organized by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies, the SLD this year will be held on June 2-4.
