The Singapore hotel where top brass, dealers and spies rub shoulders

[Ong88]

https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-as...-idUKKCN1IZ0MD


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Regional military attaches say the event is a legendary recruitment spot, as officers and diplomats are tapped by business or academia - and sometimes more shadowy enterprises. One delegate said Singapore’s status as a leading financial hub helps.

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According to rumour, operatives from various friendly Western and Asian intelligence agencies hold a parallel gathering in another hotel, to exchange information. That has never been verified.

As well as the IISS, the sponsors of the Shangri-La Dialogue include major Western defence firms, including Boeing, Airbus, BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin and Raytheon - in part a reflection of gradually rising regional defence budgets.

Gene Cunningham, Boeing’s Vice President Global Sales, Defence, Space and Security, said the informal nature of the event was important in a large, diverse region where people may view “the same set of facts differently”.

“This is not a trade show, this is not an air show,” he said.

“These types of events are important to help everyone baseline as opposed to misunderstand, or misinterpret, where defence and security needs are headed. That’s why we see this as an extremely important event.”