Bangkok (People's Daily) - The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in the United Kingdom decided not to convene this year’s summit due to the COVID-19 pandemic on Friday local time.

China's Defence Minister Wei Fenghe (L) salutes the audience after a plenary session at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore on June 2, 2019. (Photo: AFP)

Launched in 2002, the Shangri-La Dialogue had been held every year in Singapore. The defence summit that focuses on the topic of regional security was scheduled to take place from June 5 to 7.

“Given that the Dialogue draws participation from more than 40 countries, many of which have imposed restrictions, the IISS has decided that the only sensible course at this point is to notify delegates and other interested parties that the event will not take place this year,” said IISS at a press release.