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In a speech to top Indo-Pacific defense officials, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stressed America’s robust commitment to regional security and accused China of dangerous harassment against the Philippines.
Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue Defense Forum in Singapore, Austin pointed to China’s aggressive actions against the Philippines, including the use of water cannons to thwart resupply activities at the disputed reef, Second Thomas Shoal.
“The harassment the Philippines faces is, quite simply, dangerous,” Austin said, a day after Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. warned at an annual defense forum that China was engaging in “illegal and coercive” activities. [and] “Aggressive” acts against one’s own country.
“President Marcos spoke eloquently last night about the rule of law in the South China Sea, and he is right,” Austin said. “All nations, large and small, have the right to enjoy their own maritime resources and to navigate and operate freely to the fullest extent permitted by international law.”
Austin’s remarks came a day after he met with China’s defense minister for the first time since the end of 2022. The defense secretary said he had “frank discussions” with Dong Jun, who was appointed Beijing’s defense minister in December.
Foreign Secretary Marcos said at a forum on Friday that China’s deliberate killing of Filipinos was very close to an “act of war.” The United States also told Beijing that the Sierra Madre, which ran aground on Second Thomas Shoal inside the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, was covered by the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty.
Asked about Marcos’ comments after the speech, Austin declined to say what would trigger the defense pact but stressed the importance of the alliance. “Our commitment to the mutual defense treaty is unwavering. No questions asked, no exceptions,” Austin said.
“What we’re doing now and what we’ll continue to do is to make sure that doesn’t happen. Our goal is to make sure things don’t get unnecessarily out of control.”
In his speech, Austin outlined efforts over the past three years to strengthen alliances and form small groups of diverse allies to bolster security in the region. He said Washington is “deeply committed” to the Indo-Pacific region.
“We’re committed and we’re not going anywhere,” Austin said.
In an earlier exchange at the event, Admiral Samuel Paparo, commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, rebuked China’s former ambassador to the U.S., Cui Tiankai, who accused Washington of stoking regional tensions by forming “blocs” and focusing on the need to strengthen deterrence with its allies.
“Mr. Ambassador, my dear friend, you are talking as if every single one of us here on this panel wants a fight,” Paparo said. “That is absolutely the last thing we want. We are life insurance against a fight.”
After the speech, when a Chinese military officer asked whether the United States was trying to create a NATO-like bloc in the Indo-Pacific region, Austin replied, “Like-minded countries that share similar values and a common vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific are working together to realize that vision. We will continue to do so.”
In his speech, Austin said the United States and its Indo-Pacific allies – including Japan, Australia, the Philippines and South Korea – are pursuing a historic “convergence” of defense interests by creating a “set of overlapping and complementary initiatives and institutions” that will foster military cooperation, develop new capabilities and strengthen security.
