The U.S. and Chinese defense chiefs engaged in a tense exchange over Taiwan during their first face-to-face meeting in two years at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's premier defense summit, held in Singapore. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and China's Defense Minister Dong Jun met on the sidelines of the conference, emphasizing the need to keep military-to-military communications open despite their sharp differences.
Austin voiced his concerns regarding Chinese military activities near Taiwan, particularly following the island's recent presidential election and the inauguration of President Lai Ching-te. U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder stated that Austin expressed apprehension about "recent provocative PLA activity around the Taiwan Strait" and stressed that China should not use Taiwan's political transition as a pretext for coercive measures. He referred to the People's Liberation Army and the People's Republic of China, China's formal name.
In response, Dong warned Austin that the U.S. should refrain from interfering in China's internal affairs concerning Taiwan. Defense ministry spokesperson Wu Qian quoted Dong, emphasizing that the U.S. approach to Taiwan violates commitments made by the United States and sends the wrong signal to "separatist forces" in Taiwan. Beijing has labeled President Lai a "separatist."
Despite these confrontations, both sides underscored the importance of maintaining open lines of communication between their military establishments. A senior U.S. defense official described the meeting as an "important step" in reestablishing communication channels. Austin was described as "firm but professional," addressing issues including China's nuclear, space, and cyber developments.
The dialogue, now in its 21st iteration, hosted by the International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS), also saw Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. addressing the conference. Marcos criticized "illegal, coercive actions" in the South China Sea, implicitly censuring Beijing. He highlighted the Philippines' vision for peace, stability, and prosperity in the region, which he said was being undermined by certain actors.
"Illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive actions continue to violate our sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction," Marcos stated, without explicitly naming China. Encounters between the Philippines and China in the contested waters have become more frequent and tense, with Beijing pressing its claims and employing "grey-zone" tactics like water cannon use and ramming to prevent the Philippines from patrolling and resupplying its troops.
The Philippines' disputes with China have coincided with an increase in security engagements with the United States. The U.S. and the Philippines have expanded American access to Philippine bases under Marcos' administration, reflecting their treaty alliance. Marcos stressed that both Beijing and Washington have crucial roles in maintaining regional peace.
"The continued stability of this region requires China and the United States to manage their rivalry in a responsible manner," Marcos remarked. "Their contest is exacerbating flashpoints and has created new security dilemmas."
China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, including areas claimed by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Taiwan's Defense Minister Wellington Koo, speaking in Taipei, suggested that tensions around the democratically governed island would ease if Beijing ceased its military drills.
"If China stops its provocation and intimidation then peace and stability can be maintained," Koo said.
A report by the London-based IISS released on Friday noted a significant increase in military exercises by both the U.S. and China across Asia. However, it found that while Beijing's drills have increased in frequency, they still lag behind in scale and complexity compared to those conducted by the United States.
The Shangri-La Dialogue brings together military and political leaders annually to discuss pressing security issues. The conference will continue over the weekend, with Austin scheduled to address the meeting on Saturday and Dong on Sunday. Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto is also slated to speak to delegates.
