“RE-ESTABLISH DETERRENCE IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA”
In a succession of X posts carrying images of his Kuala Lumpur meetings on Friday, Hegseth said he discussed a longstanding alliance with Thailand’s defence minister, described Indonesia as “an anchor of regional stability”, and said he discussed advancing Washington’s strong defence partnership with the Philippines.
“We will work relentlessly to re-establish deterrence in the South China Sea and advance our alliance,” he said of the meeting with the Philippine defence secretary Gilberto Teodoro.
Beijing claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea via a line on its maps that overlaps with parts of the exclusive economic zones of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.
China has deployed a coast guard armada to enforce those claims, has clashed repeatedly with Philippine vessels and has been accused of disrupting the energy activities of Malaysia and Vietnam.
Beijing says its coast guard has operated professionally in defending Chinese territory from incursions.
Chinese Defence Minister Dong told ASEAN counterparts that Beijing would work with its neighbours to “make the shield of common security even more solid”.
“With Eastern wisdom, we shall pool Eastern strength, and through practical actions, safeguard lasting peace and stability in the South China Sea,” he said, according to China’s defence ministry.
Source: CNA
