The dialogue saw participation from heads of state, defence ministers, and military commanders of countries across the Indo-Pacific.
Responding to the Philippines, China’s Defence Minister said that “some countries (Philippines) remain agitated due to external forces (America).” Dong Jun, who was an admiral of China’s PLA-Navy, said that there is a limit to tolerance.
This is Admiral Dong’s first global summit as Defence Minister.
On Saturday (June 1, 2024), US Defence Minister Lloyd Austin held bilateral talks with Dong.
However, the defence ministers of both the countries had emphasized on ‘military communication’ to reduce tension in the Indo-Pacific region.
At the Shangri-La Dialogue held in Singapore, China‘s Defence Minister issued a stern warning to the Philippines, Taiwan, and even the United States, urging them to “stay within limits.” As China increasingly asserts its dominance from the border to the sea, it is now openly threatening its rival countries. This development signals a likely escalation of tensions in the Indo-Pacific region. The dialogue saw participation from heads of state, defence ministers, and military commanders of countries across the Indo-Pacific.
Addressing the conference, Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. made it clear that if any of its citizens is killed due to any military action by China in the South China Sea, it will be seen as a ‘war’. Responding to the Philippines, China’s Defence Minister said that “some countries (Philippines) remain agitated due to external forces (America).” Dong Jun, who was an admiral of China’s PLA-Navy, said that there is a limit to tolerance. This is Admiral Dong’s first global summit as Defence Minister.
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Since last August, there has been a huge dispute going on between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea. There has been a long-standing dispute between the two countries over the maritime boundary. For the past few months, the Chinese Navy and Coast Guard have surrounded and even attacked Philippines’ ships and patrolling boats with water-cannons.
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Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Marcos Jr. praised the help being given by countries like India and South Korea. Recently, India has supplied shore-based anti-ship BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines.
In his address, Dong directly attacked the US and said that it should not create a situation of war and chaos in the Asia-Pacific region. “Do not bring ‘cold war’ or ‘hot war’ here,” he said.
On Taiwan, the Chinese Defence Minister said that if anyone (country) tries to separate Taiwan from China, it will be ‘broken into pieces’ and that country will ‘invite its own destruction’.
Threatening the new government of Taiwan, Dong said that if it considers separating from China, it will have to ‘endure great humiliation in history’.
Recently, new President Lai Ching-te has taken charge of the country in Taiwan and in his inaugural speech, Ching-te talked about ‘independence’ and announced the manufacture of weapons with the help of America. This was something which upset China and since then it has conducted ‘Joint Sword’ exercises to surround Taiwan.
On Saturday (June 1, 2024), US Defence Minister Lloyd Austin held bilateral talks with Dong. During this, Austin expressed his concern over the military exercises against Taiwan. However, the defence ministers of both the countries had emphasized on ‘military communication’ to reduce tension in the Indo-Pacific region.
