China's Defense Minister will deliver a "highly anticipated" speech at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue next month — the first time in eight years that Beijing has sent such a high-level official to the annual security gathering, which will include a speech by the acting U.S. defense secretary.
The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) think tank said in a statement late Monday that Chinese defense chief Gen. Wei Fenghe, who also serves as State Councillor and is close to Chinese President Xi Jinping, will deliver the speech June 2.
Wei will speak on China's place in the Indo-Pacific region and will take questions directly following his address, which is expected to be a prelude to the country's new defense white paper due out later this year.