US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Saturday emphasized the necessity of maintaining ongoing dialogue with China and its neighboring nations to prevent any escalation of tensions in the Asia-Pacific region, while speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore .
Austin underscored Washington's commitment to regional security amidst the backdrop of deepening defense ties with various Asian-Pacific countries, a response to China's increasing territorial assertiveness.
Recent military exercises conducted by China around Taiwan, a self-governing island that Beijing claims as its own, further underscored the complex dynamics at play. Austin acknowledged that not every conversation would be easy but stressed the importance of continuous communication to mitigate potential conflicts.
While dispelling notions of imminent or unavoidable conflict with China, Austin reiterated the United States' unwavering commitment to security in the region, evidenced by the strengthening network of defense partnerships over the past few years. He highlighted a "new convergence" around various security aspects in the Asia-Pacific, shaping a more robust and resilient security framework in the Indo-Pacific region.
"Every conversation is not going to be a happy conversation. But it is important that we continue to talk to each other," Austin said.
"A war or a fight with China is neither imminent, in my view, or unavoidable," he added.
Austin made it clear that the security of the United States is intricately linked to the stability of Asia, reaffirming the enduring presence of the US in the region. He offered reassurances to countries concerned about the diversion of US attention due to conflicts elsewhere, affirming the Indo-Pacific as the primary focus of US operations despite global tensions.
In response to Austin's remarks, Chinese Lieutenant General Jing Jianfeng accused the United States of attempting to establish an "Asia-Pacific version of NATO," labeling the US as the "greatest challenge to regional peace and stability."
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