SINGAPORE. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasized the growing threat from China in the Asia-Pacific region on Saturday, addressing concerns that U.S. involvement in Ukraine and Gaza conflicts might be diverting attention from America’s security commitments in Asia.
Speaking at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue, Austin assured delegates that the Indo-Pacific remains the United States’ priority despite ongoing conflicts in other regions. “Despite these historic clashes in Europe and the Middle East, the Indo-Pacific has remained our priority theatre of operations,” Austin stated. “The United States can be secure only if Asia is secure.”
Shortly after Austin’s speech, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy arrived in Singapore. He is set to address the security forum on Sunday to garner support for a peace summit planned for June 15-16 in Switzerland. In a message on social media platform X, Zelenskiy outlined his intent to hold meetings with several key figures, including Singapore’s President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta, and Austin.
Austin’s meeting with Chinese counterpart Dong Jun on the sidelines of the conference aimed to ease tensions over issues ranging from Taiwan to China’s military activities in the South China Sea. The U.S. focus on aiding Ukraine and supporting Israel has raised concerns about a potential shift away from the Indo-Pacific region.
Austin underscored the importance of alliances and peaceful dispute resolutions in the region. “The United States has long maintained our presence in this region,” he said, emphasizing that conflicts should be resolved through dialogue, not coercion. He also criticized China, stating, “Certainly not through so-called punishment.”
In response, Chinese Lieutenant General Jing Jianfeng accused the U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy of creating division and provoking confrontation. “It only serves the selfish geopolitical interests of the U.S. and runs counter to the trend of history and the shared aspirations of regional countries for peace, development, and win-win cooperation,” Jing stated.
Recent Chinese military activities, such as “punishment” drills around Taiwan, have heightened concerns. After Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te took office, China staged mock attacks and sent heavily armed warplanes in the region.
Gaza Proposal and Regional Reactions
Indonesia’s president-elect, Prabowo Subianto, offered to send peacekeeping troops to Gaza to maintain a ceasefire, endorsing U.S. President Joe Biden’s three-phase ceasefire proposal for the region. Prabowo stated, “We are prepared to contribute significant peacekeeping forces to maintain and monitor this prospective ceasefire as well as providing protection and security to all parties and to all sides.”
Prabowo, currently Indonesia’s defense minister, will assume the presidency of the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation in October.
In his speech, Austin also addressed the U.S.’s commitment to aiding Ukraine and Israel. Since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, the U.S. has provided tens of billions of dollars in military aid to Ukraine, with an additional $61 billion appropriated last month. Concurrently, the U.S. continues to support Israel, with $26 billion allocated in the same funding bill.
South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik, during another session, declined to comment on potential changes to South Korea’s arms export laws, which currently prohibit arms exports to nations in conflict. South Korea has, however, transferred artillery ammunition to the U.S. and signed significant arms deals with Poland, both of which support Ukraine.
About $8 billion of U.S. funding is allocated for countering China in the Indo-Pacific as part of the recent supplemental funding bill.
Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. condemned aggressive actions in the South China Sea, where China has increased its coastguard presence. The Philippines, with strong U.S. ties and close proximity to China, is central to the U.S.-China power struggle. Austin reaffirmed the U.S.’s mutual defense treaty with Manila, describing the harassment faced by the Philippines as dangerous and stressing the need to prevent tensions from escalating.
Jing, the Chinese general, critiqued these alliances, arguing they contribute to regional instability. “It is natural for neighbors to bicker sometimes, but we need to resolve disagreements through dialogue and consultation rather than inviting wolves into our house and playing with fire,” he said.
As President Joe Biden seeks re-election in November against former President Donald Trump, his administration continues to emphasize the U.S.’s role in maintaining security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
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.
