SINGAPORE, Mar 28 (NNN-CNA) – It would be “a significant challenge” to hold the Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD) in early June, in view of the COVID-19 outbreak, Singapore Defence Minister, Ng Eng Hen said.
The SLD is held in Singapore in late May or early June, by London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). The think tank announced that it would call off this year’s SLD, scheduled for June 5-7.
Looking at the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, with epicenters now in Europe, Britain and the United States, and travel restrictions imposed by many countries, it would be a significant challenge to hold the SLD as scheduled in early June, Ng said.
The minister expressed his thankfulness to the defence partners for their strong support to Singapore and the SLD over the years, adding, “We look forward to resuming the SLD next year.”
The SLD was launched in 2002 and got its name from the venue of the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore. This would be the first time the summit would not be convened, which have, over the years, attracted participants from the United States, China, Singapore and other countries.
The IISS said, after close consultation with the Singapore government, they have decided not to convene the 2020 Shangri-La Dialogue, in light of the serious challenges posed by the global COVID-19 pandemic.
“Many countries have imposed travel restrictions in response to the pandemic and these may still be in force at the time that this year’s Shangri-La Dialogue would have been convened,” IISS said in a statement.
Singapore has barred all entry or transit of all short-term visitors from Mar 23.– NNN-CNA
