The annual International Institute for Strategic Studies Shangri-la Dialogue, or IISS Asia Security Summit was held from May 31 to June 2 in Singapore. The Shangri-La security dialogue is designed to facilitate dialogue among defense official from the region's nations regarding common solutions to security issues in the Asia-Pacific region.

U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel speaks at the opening plenary session of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, June 1, 2013. [Photo: US Department of Defense]

On his first trip to Asia in his official capacity, U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel delivered a keynote address on "The US Approach to Regional Security" on June 1. In his speech, he outlined the progress and goals of the rebalancing to Asia strategy and reassured partners in the region that the United States is fulfilling its commitments after the Obama administration declared it is rebalancing its military focus to the Asia-Pacific region.

He said: "Building a positive and constructive relationship with China is also an essential part of America's rebalance to Asia. The United States welcomes and supports a prosperous and successful China that contributes to regional and global problem solving."

Huang Jing, director of the Center on Asia and Globalization at the National University of Singapore, said: "The China topic will dominate this Dialogue. Compared with the previous dialogues, the South China Sea issue will not be a main focus at this year's security dialogue. " Coming as it did ahead of the upcoming high-stakes summit between the Chinese and U.S. leaders, the Sino-U.S. relationship received even more attention than usual during this year's Dialogue. Commenting in the summit, Hagel said: "President Obama and President Xi will soon meet for a summit in California, and they have both been clear that they seek a stronger military-to-military relationship."

Hagel added that the United States is adding to the capacity of its ground forces in the Pacific following the withdrawal from Iraq and as it withdraws from Afghanistan. The 1st and 3rd Marine Expeditionary Forces and the Army's 25th Infantry Division are all returning to their home stations in the Pacific theater. The United States Army is also designating 1st Corps as "regionally aligned" to the Asia-Pacific region. In addition, the U.S. Air Force has allocated 60 percent of its overseas-based forces to the Asia-Pacific – including tactical aircraft and bomber forces from the continental United States. The Air Force is focusing a similar percentage of its space and cyber capabilities on this region, allowing the U.S. to capitalize on the Air Force's inherent speed, range, and flexibility.

Maj. Gen. Yao Yunzhu, director of China-America Defense Relations for China's Academy of Military Science, remains skeptical as to the true nature of the American rebalancing strategy. He said: "The U.S. government officials have on several occasions clarified that the rebalance does not intend to contain China's growing influence in this region; however China is not convinced." Hagel responded that in order for the two countries to build trust on this issue, they must work to build a closer military relationship, allowing both sides to express their concerns through continuing honest dialogue. "I am pleased that the dialogue between our armed forces is steadily improving," Hagel said in his speech.

Huang Jing added that China has proposed "a new type of relationship between China and the United States", the strategic base of which is to exchange interests and seek cooperation on an equal footing without jeopardizing each other's fundamental interests. Hagel reiterated in his speech that the aim of the rebalancing strategy is to seek cooperation, not confrontation: "In particular, America and other nations of the Asia-Pacific must continue to strengthen existing alliances, forge new partnerships, and build coalitions based on common interests to ensure this region's future is peaceful and prosperous."

Lt. Gen. Qi Jianguo, deputy chief of general staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), leads a delegation of the PLA to the Shangri-la Dialogue. Qi delivered a speech on "The New Trend of Asia-Pacific Security" on June 2.

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