US (Washington Insider Magazine)— During their first in-person meeting in two years, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun engaged in a heated discussion regarding Taiwan, emphasizing the necessity of maintaining open military communications. The meeting took place on Friday in Singapore at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s premier defense summit, where discussions were also expected to address sensitive issues surrounding the South China Sea, with the Philippines’ president scheduled to speak later in the day.
The U.S.-China relationship is a focal point of the dialogue, alongside ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, and tensions in the South China Sea. Austin raised concerns about recent Chinese military activities around Taiwan, particularly in light of the island’s presidential election and the inauguration of President Lai Ching-te. U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder reported that Austin expressed worries about “provocative PLA activity” and stressed that Taiwan’s political transitions should not be used by China as a justification for coercive measures.
In response, Dong cautioned Austin against U.S. interference in China’s dealings with Taiwan, asserting that the U.S. stance undermines commitments and signals support for “separatist forces.” Beijing views President Lai as a separatist due to his administration’s pro-independence stance.
Despite the tensions, both sides recognized the importance of maintaining military-to-military ties and discussed broader regional security issues, including the South China Sea and the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.
Later on Friday, Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is expected to address the Philippines’ legal and geopolitical stance on the South China Sea, emphasizing its significance for global trade. China claims sovereignty over nearly all of the South China Sea, including areas contested by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam, despite a 2016 ruling from the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague that invalidated Beijing’s expansive claims.
Taiwan’s Defense Minister Wellington Koo remarked that easing tensions around Taiwan could be achieved if China ceased its military drills. He stated, “If China stops its provocation and intimidation, then peace and stability can be maintained.” A report from the London-based International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS) noted a significant increase in military exercises in the region in recent years. Although both the U.S. and China have ramped up military activities across Asia, China’s drills remain smaller in scale and complexity compared to those of the U.S.
The Shangri-La Dialogue, now in its 21st year, brings together military and political leaders annually in Singapore to discuss critical security issues, concluding on Sunday.