By Jim Morris, Warrior Vice President, News
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III wrapped up a visit to Singapore in which he called the US a Pacific nation, met with China’s defense minister and stressed the overwhelming importance of alliances with countries in the region.
He also re-emphasized support for Taiwan and the Philippines in their conflicts with China. Austin also met with his counterparts from Japan and South Korea, spoke with defense ministers from nine southeastern Asian countries and discussed ways to boost military industrial capacity.
“The US is a Pacific nation. And it’s because this region, more than any other, is shaping the course of this century,” Austin said. “Let me be clear. The United States can be secure only if Asia is secure,” Austin said. “That’s why the United States has long maintained our presence in this region. And that’s why we continue to make the investments necessary to meet our commitments to our allies and partners.”
The US has been strengthening ties with its Pacific allies in order to counter the growing threat from China. Among them, the Pentagon is working with Japan to build a glide phase interceptor to defend against hypersonic weapons. It’s also co-producing fighter jet engines and armored vehicles with India, and working closer with Japan and South Korea to share early-warning data on North Korean missiles in real time.
“Together with our friends in the region, we’re breaking down national barriers and better integrating our defense industries,” Austin said.
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On Friday, Austin had his first meeting with China’s defense minister, Dong Jun. Austin was said to have expressed concern about last month’s Chinese military maneuvers around Taiwan. And he repeated that Beijing should not use the recent inauguration of a new Taiwanese president as an excuse for coercive measures.
Austin also told Dong he was concerned about China’s behavior toward the Philippines. In the last year, China has stepped up its confrontations with Filipino ships in the South China Sea, bumping and harassing them.
Beijing has ramped up its claims over shoals and reefs that the Philippines says are legally within its 200-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
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At a news conference on Monday, Austin said, “The PRC’s behavior is coercive, and it puts Filipino crews in danger. It disregards international law. And as you heard me say Saturday, we stand with the Filipinos, and our commitment to the Mutual Defense Treaty is – is ironclad.”
Last month, the US said it had deployed its Typhon missile system to the Philippines – a move denounced by Chinese officials. The system can fire Tomahawk land attack and SM-6 missiles.
Austin also warned his Chinese counterpart that if China continues its support for Russia’s defense industry during the war with Ukraine, the US and its allies would have to take further measures.
At the news conference, he wouldn’t comment on whether there have been signs of lethal military aid being sent from China to Russia, but “what we have seen, we’ve been clear about. We think it has the potential of lengthening the conflict.”
Meanwhile, on Sunday, Austin met with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who flew to Singapore for the conference. Among the topics they discussed – Ukraine’s overall defense needs, improvement of the country’s air defense system and a new bilateral security agreement..
