Venue of the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore,Friday, May 30, 2025.(VCG)

The appearance of Rear Admiral Hu Gangfeng, who leads the delegation from the National Defense University of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, at the opening dinner of the annual Shangri-La Dialogue on Friday evening, has garnered attention.

The 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue kicked off in Singapore on Friday evening. 

A delegation from the National Defense University of the PLA has been invited to attend the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue from Thursday to Monday, and visit relevant military and civilian institutions in Singapore, announced China’s Ministry of National Defense Spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang at a regular press conference on Thursday. 

On Friday afternoon, the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), the main organizer of the Dialogue, published the name list of the Chinese delegation which is led by Rear Admiral Hu Gangfeng, vice president of the National Defense University of the PLA. According to information released by the IISS, Hu has been teaching at the National Defense University of the PLA since March 2022. He worked in the Navy for a long time, serving as a staff officer, deputy director, and deputy chief of staff of the Navy.

This is not the first time that Hu has appeared at an international conference. Public reports show that in November 2009, Hu, then deputy director of the Naval Bureau, Operations Department of the PLA General Staff Headquarters, introduced the relevant situation of the Chinese Navy escort fleet in the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters at an international conference on piracy held in Hong Kong.

Zhang said on Thursday that the delegation from the National Defense University of the PLA will engage in in-depth exchanges with participants to foster common understanding on regional security and stability. According to the conference agenda released by the organizer, members of the National Defense University of the PLA delegation will participate in parallel meetings, young leaders’ program and other activities. Over the years, the PLA has sent personnel to participate in the Shangri-La Dialogue for the purpose of exchanges and mutual trust, cooperation and peace.