Speaking Of Asia: When the French go marching in

This year’s edition of the Shangri-La Dialogue deservedly focused much attention on China’s Defence Minister, who was putting in an appearance at the premier regional security dialogue after having been represented by lower-ranking delegates the past eight years.

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Without question, General Wei Fenghe delivered for his country, producing a speech that can only be described as a masterclass in public diplomacy.

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His plenary address relayed confidence and resolve, and even if a lot of it was meant for his home audience, it did impress the civilian and military defence chiefs, analysts and other security-related people in the hall as well.

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Yet, aside from the opening keynote and the US Defence Secretary’s plenary address the next morning – the format that the dialogue has fallen into – one speech that probably merited greater attention was delivered by French Defence Minister Florence Parly.