The three-day Shangri-La Dialogue opened in Singapore on Friday, with officials and scholars from 45 countries and regions, including 49 ministerial-level delegates, attending the meeting. Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun was in attendance, his first time participating since taking up the post late last year. Photo: VCG

Dong (right) sits next to Lee Hsien Loong, who just stepped down as Singapore's prime minister and is now a senior minister, at the dialogue Friday in Singapore. Photo: VCG

Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong attends the dialogue. Photo: VCG

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (right) shakes hands with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin after delivering his remarks. Photo: VCG

South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik speaks at the dialogue. Photo: VCG

Austin shakes hands with Dong during a ministerial roundtable discussion on the sidelines of the dialogue on Saturday. Photo: VCG

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy enters the Shangri-La Hotel for the 21st Shangri-La Dialogue on Saturday. Photo: Vickie/Caixin

Austin speaks at the dialogue on Saturday. Photo: Vickie/Caixin

Dong speaks at the dialogue on Sunday. Photo: VCG