US Defence Secretary James Mattis and China’s Defence Minister Wei Fenghe greet each other ahead of talks in Singapore on October 18. Photo: Reuters US Defence Secretary James Mattis and China’s Defence Minister Wei Fenghe greet each other ahead of talks in Singapore on October 18. Photo: Reuters
US Defence Secretary James Mattis and China’s Defence Minister Wei Fenghe greet each other ahead of talks in Singapore on October 18. Photo: Reuters
Mark J. Valencia
Opinion

Opinion

Mark J. Valencia

Amid South China Sea tensions, what will the meeting between the US and China’s defence chiefs yield?

  • Mark J. Valencia says the meeting could establish ground rules for what could prove to be a stormy period for US-China relations ahead
  • The Chinese defence minister will also be looking to understand how entrenched and widespread anti-China sentiment is in the US government

Mark J. Valencia
Mark J. Valencia

Updated: 3:30am, 1 Nov, 2018

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US Defence Secretary James Mattis and China’s Defence Minister Wei Fenghe greet each other ahead of talks in Singapore on October 18. Photo: Reuters US Defence Secretary James Mattis and China’s Defence Minister Wei Fenghe greet each other ahead of talks in Singapore on October 18. Photo: Reuters
US Defence Secretary James Mattis and China’s Defence Minister Wei Fenghe greet each other ahead of talks in Singapore on October 18. Photo: Reuters
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Mark J. Valencia

Mark J. Valencia

Dr Mark J. Valencia is an internationally known maritime policy analyst, political commentator and consultant focused on Asia. He is the author or editor of some 15 books and more than 100 peer-reviewed journal articles. Currently he is adjunct senior scholar at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies.