15 May 2026, Bavaria, Wurzburg: Germany’s Defense Chief Carsten Breuer participated in a panel discussion on the 104th German Catholic Day under the motto “Between deterrence and diplomacy”. Photo: Sven Hoppe/dpa – Note: For editorial use only and with full reference to the above credit (Photo by Sven Hoppe/Images via Getty Images)
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Germany’s defense chief General Carsten Breuer said on Saturday that China was losing the opportunity for talks by not having a ministerial delegation at the annual defense forum in Singapore.
Speaking at a media roundtable on the sidelines of the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue, Breuer said China was missing this opportunity at a time when the world is “competitive”.
This was “dangerous”, he warned, adding that, “In my 42 years as a soldier, I have never experienced such dangerous times as we are living in the world today.”
Breuer’s comments came after China’s Defense Minister Dong Jun skipped the conference for the second consecutive year, with Beijing sending a low-level delegation led by Major General Meng Jiangqing from the People’s Liberation Army National Defense University.
“I strongly recommend using each dialogue platform to discuss with each other and compare not only notes but also opinions… (from my point of view, this is essential).”
His comments come after US War Secretary Pete Hegseth earlier Saturday called out China, saying “no state, including China, can impose its hegemony and threaten the security or prosperity of our country and our allies.”
This does not mean that there is no contact with China. The German defense chief said talks were still ongoing with members of the Chinese delegation here, “but of course, it would be better to keep it at a higher level,” Breuer said.
Breuer was asked whether their conversation was a “real conversation” or a case of both sides simply stating their positions and walking away.
The German general responded, “I see it as a real dialogue… Of course, you have your own national positions, and that’s obvious, but also within those national positions, you can explain, and that’s what we’re doing, especially on the military side.”
However, top defense officials from other countries have different views.
“I think as a value proposition, their presence here has been minimized… which is to push the party line rather than engage constructively,” Philippines National Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro told CNBC.
“So, as far as I’m concerned, it’s not a big loss for me,” Teodoro said.