Singapore (People’s Daily) - The 17th Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD), a multilateral platform on Asia-Pacific defense and security, opened in Singapore on Friday night, putting the challenges to Asia's security at the top of the agenda.

The Chinese delegation to Shangri-La Dialogue, headed by Lieutenant-General He Lei (center), arrives at the forum in Singapore on Friday. (Photo: VCG)

Over 600 delegates, including defense ministers and officials from some 40 countries and regions gathered at the Shangri-La Hotel for the three-day event.

“As the largest developing country, and a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China shoulders significant responsibility for maintaining security in the Asia-Pacific region,” said Lieutenant-General He Lei, deputy head of the Academy of Military Sciences of the People's Liberation Army, who leads the Chinese delegation at this year's SLD.

“The Chinese delegation will attend all the major activities of this dialogue to introduce President Xi’s philosophy of building a new type of international relations and a community of a shared future for all mankind,” He told People’s Daily at an interview.

In this year’s keynote speech, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged the achievements of the India-China relations and looked forward to the prospects of furthering bilateral ties.

In regards to Modi’s speech, He said, “His speech was positive and constructive, reflecting his friendship with China and his outlook on China-India relations is promising.”

Since its launch in 2002 by the British think tank International Institute for Strategic Studies and the Singaporean government, the Shangri-La Dialogue, officially known as the Asia Security Summit, has been held annually.