Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is traveling to Asia this week to attend the Shangri-La Dialogue, the continent's largest defense forum, held in Singapore.

Hegseth is scheduled to depart Wednesday for the security conference, where he will meet with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Defense Minister Chan Chun Sing. The visit comes as Taiwan security issues continue to generate discussion in defense and policy circles.

The Shangri-La Dialogue serves as a major annual gathering for defense officials and security experts from across the Asia-Pacific region. The forum typically addresses regional security challenges and military cooperation among participating nations.

Taiwan's security situation has been a recurring topic at previous editions of the dialogue, reflecting broader regional concerns about stability in the Taiwan Strait. The island's strategic position and complex international status make it a focal point for discussions about regional security architecture.

Hegseth's participation in the forum represents his engagement with key Asian allies and partners as the new Defense Secretary. The meetings with Singaporean officials are expected to cover bilateral defense cooperation and regional security matters.