After a series of talks with other defense ministers gathered in Singapore for the summit, Marles held a trilateral meeting on Saturday with Austin and Nobuo Kishi, his Japanese counterpart. Marles is heading to Tokyo on Monday.
An individual and ice-breaking meeting between Marles and Wei is also possible, although in a careful diplomatic dance, Anthony Albanese’s number two had not formally sought a seat.
Wei is scheduled to speak in Singapore on Sunday, where he is also likely to respond to an Austin speech Saturday before.
China’s Minister of State and Defense Minister Wei Fenghe will speak in Singapore on Sunday. Credit: AP
Marles’s speech followed a strong assessment of Indo-Pacific security by Austin, the U.S. chief of defense, who attacked China for its dangerous clashes with an Australian plane over international waters.
Austin first met face-to-face with Wei Fenghe on Friday, with the US reinforcing the need to “keep open lines of communication” between the superpowers and the Chinese general by fostering “strong and stable relations with major countries.” according to official statements.
But if there was a conciliatory tone in these talks, Austin did not miss the opportunity to call on Beijing and its armed forces less than 24 hours later, pointing to China’s “coercive and aggressive” approach to its land claims. in the South China Sea. and with Taiwan.
Austin criticized the interception of an Australian surveillance plane near the controversial Paracel Islands last month in which a People’s Liberation Army fighter jet crashed in front of it and releasing straw that was ingested into the engines of the Australian plane. Canada has also accused China of harassing one of its patrol planes it wanted near North Korea last week.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin gives a speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue on Saturday. Credit: AP
“We have seen an alarming increase in the number of unsafe air interceptions and clashes at sea by PLA aircraft and ships,” Austin said.
“In February, an EPL Navy ship aimed a laser at an Australian P-8 maritime patrol aircraft, seriously endangering everyone on board. In recent weeks, EPL fighters have taken “This is a dangerous interception against Allied aircraft operating legally in the seas of East and South China. That should concern us all.”
After the latest Australian incident, China said it had repeatedly warned the surveillance plane that it was approaching the airspace claiming China as its own, and predicted “serious consequences” for the violations of its sovereignty.
Austin, however, said it was further proof of Beijing’s unacceptable intimidation and that the U.S. and its allies would continue to fly, sail, and operate where permitted by international law.
He said that “the stakes are especially high in the Taiwan Strait.”
“Our policy is unalterable and unchanging. We are determined to maintain the status quo that has served this region for so long,” he said.
According to Austin, the US did not seek an Asian version of NATO with the region divided into hostile blocs. But he said Putin’s war “has reminded us of all the dangers of undermining an international order rooted in rules and respect” and Washington “would defend our interests without trembling.”
Austin’s speech came after Kishida warned at a meeting of defense leaders that “Ukraine today may be East Asia tomorrow.”
In his strongest foreign policy speech since becoming prime minister, Kishida said it was time for Japan to step up its defense and diplomatic power to prevent war in the region.
“Japan’s responsibility is heavy,” he said. “We must be prepared for the emergence of an entity that tramples on the peace and security of other countries by force or threat without respecting the rules.”
The speech marked a significant escalation in Japan’s diplomatic stance toward China after years of more cautious negotiations with Beijing.
Tokyo has positioned itself as a quiet negotiator that could raise its concerns with China behind closed doors, but is increasingly alarmed by China’s intentions toward Taiwan, which has islands 230 kilometers off the coast of Japan.
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In comments to Beijing, Kishida said international laws in the South China and East China Seas were being broken. “Peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, which lies between these two seas, are also extremely important,” he said.
“Unfortunately, many activities that do not respect the diversity of people, free will and human rights are also being carried out in this region.”
Kishida highlighted Australia for promoting “security cooperation” in the region and said Japan, the US, India and Australia would spend $ 80 billion on infrastructure investment through the Quad in the Indo-Pacific during the next five years.
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