SINGAPORE — Indo-Pacific countries are accelerating efforts to strengthen defence cooperation and regional security partnerships as they navigate China’s rapid military expansion and uncertainty over sustained United States engagement in the region.
At the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, a leading regional security forum, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth urged allies to take on greater responsibility for collective defence, even as questions continued to surface over Washington’s strategic focus amid competing global priorities, including tensions in the Middle East.
“We can do two things at one time,” Hegseth said during the forum, addressing concerns about US attention shifting away from Asia.
Japanese officials sought to reassure partners. Shinjiro Koizumi described the US commitment as “unwavering,” while acknowledging that some regional actors remain cautious about its long-term consistency.
On the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue, defence officials from across the region said there is growing momentum toward building more flexible security networks beyond traditional reliance on Washington.
Philippines Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said countries in the region are “unanimous” in the need to rapidly strengthen their own defence capabilities, describing this as reinforcing rather than replacing the US security role.
He said Manila is deepening cooperation with partners including Japan, Australia, Canada and New Zealand, arguing that broader participation strengthens deterrence.
Japan is positioning itself as a central connector in emerging defence networks. Koizumi said Tokyo aims to serve as a “connecting point” for regional cooperation beyond China and has recently moved to relax restrictions on defence exports, allowing greater sales of military equipment such as ships and missiles.
Singapore Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing said regional security challenges require “flexible partnerships” among like-minded countries, forming coalitions of capability and readiness.
Canada’s Chief of Defence Staff General Jennie Carignan said Canadian forces are expanding regional engagement through cybersecurity cooperation, maritime exercises and training initiatives with Southeast Asian partners.
New Zealand Defence Minister Chris Penk said Wellington is considering new naval acquisitions, including vessels from Japan and the United Kingdom, as it prepares to replace ageing frigates. He also pointed to closer coordination under the long-standing Five Power Defence Arrangements involving Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
Despite expanding regional defence ties, officials from Asia and allied nations maintained that US commitment to the Indo-Pacific remains strong.
Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles described the US-Australia alliance as “absolutely fundamental” to national security, framing it as a long-term strategic partnership beyond any single administration.
Philippine officials echoed that view, saying US involvement in other global crises has not diminished confidence in its regional commitments.
As strategic competition intensifies in the Indo-Pacific, regional governments continue to balance reassurance from Washington with a growing emphasis on building their own defence capacities and multilateral security links.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
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- Venus L Peñaflor
