Shangri La Dialogue: China responds to accusations made by US Acting Defense Secretary
Updated 09:51, 04-Jun-2019
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Relations between the US and China have dominated headlines at the ongoing Shangri La Dialogue in Singapore. During his speech at the event, US Acting Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan suggested China was causing instability in the Asia-Pacific region. Interestingly, this comes just a day after Shanahan met his Chinese counterpart in what was described as a "constructive" meeting. CGTN's Miro Lu brings you the latest from Singapore.
Acting US Secretary of Defence, Patrick Shanahan delivered a carefully worded and wide ranging speech at the first plenary of the Shangri-La Dialogue on Saturday.
In his first high profile address since taking office, Shanahan emphasized the US government's commitment to the Asia Pacific region.
Though he did not name China in the initial parts of his speech, he said that "some" in our region are choosing to act contrary to the principles and norms that have benefitted all.
PATRICK M. SHANAHAN US ACTING SECRETARY OF DEFENSE "No one nation can and should dominate the Indo-Pacific."
"Perhaps the greatest long-term threat to the vital interests of states across this region comes from actors who seek to undermine, rather than uphold, the rules-based international order."
When he did name China, Shanahan called for greater cooperation between the two nations but added that behavior that erodes other nations' sovereignty must end.
PATRICK M. SHANAHAN US ACTING SECRETARY OF DEFENSE "Until it does, we stand against a myopic, narrow, and parochial vision of the future, and we stand for the free and open order that has benefitted us all - including China."
The Chinese Defence Ministry delegation at the dialogue responded to Shanahan's comments.
LTG SHAO YUANMING, DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF JOINT STAFF DEPARTMENT OF THE CENTRAL MILITARY COMMISSION OF CHINA "China has sovereignty of the South China Sea without any dispute and a strong historical and legal claim. The freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea has never been blocked. Freedom of navigation in the South China Sea is not a problem at all. Secondly, the U.S. frequently sends its warships to the South China Sea islands and conducts inspections and targeted military exercises. This is not good for the peace and stability in the region."
MIRO LU SINGAPORE "Apart from the multilateral summit, bilateral meetings are also a crucial component of the Shangri-la Dialogue. On Saturday, the Chinese delegation held several meetings with defence representatives from Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, the UK and the Netherlands."
Meanwhile, an important session that drew attention was the plenary on Asia's evolving security order and its challenges.
The speakers included Malaysia's Minister of Defence and his counterparts from the UK and France.
The ministers used the platform to highlight key transnational security issues, the global uncertainty due to the US-China frictions, tensions in the South China Sea and the issue of Rohingya refugees among others.
With the conclusion of day two, the focus will now shift to General Wei Fenghe on Sunday morning, when he delivers his speech on China and International security cooperation. Miro Lu, CGTN, Singapore.