At the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Major General Meng Xiangqing, head of China's PLA expert delegation, questioned Japan's eligibility to discuss defense cooperation. He argued that Japan has not adequately addressed its militaristic past, referencing the 80th anniversary of the Tokyo Trials in 2026. Meng warned against the glorification of war crimes and attempts to undermine the post-WWII international order established by the trials. He expressed doubt that a nation failing to reckon with its militarism could earn international trust, particularly from Asian countries previously subjected to its aggression. Meng urged global vigilance against resurgent militarism and called for the protection of WWII outcomes and the existing international framework.