SINGAPORE — June 3, 2025 — At a key security summit in Asia, tensions surrounding China’s growing military presence and conduct in the South China Sea dominated discussions as Australian and Philippine defense officials voiced deep concerns and demanded greater transparency from Beijing.
Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles called on China to explain what he described as “the most significant military expansion by any nation since World War II.” Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Marles said the pace and scale of China’s buildup raise urgent questions for the entire region.
“It’s not just the size,” he told reporters. “It’s that it’s happening without strategic reassurance, without clarity on why it’s necessary. That’s what makes it so unsettling.”
Marles urged Beijing to be more open about its intentions, arguing that transparency is vital for maintaining peace in the Indo-Pacific. He pointed to Australia’s approach to defense, noting that Canberra publicly shares its strategic goals and reviews to reassure neighbors and the global community.
“There’s no ambiguity about our intentions,” Marles said. “When we strengthen our defenses, we make it clear it’s for the safety of Australia and our region.”
Philippines: China’s Conduct ‘Absolutely Irresponsible’
Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. took a firmer tone, sharply criticizing Beijing’s actions in the disputed South China Sea. He called China’s conduct “absolutely irresponsible and reckless,” accusing it of seeking control over nearly the entire maritime region.
“The world cannot tolerate this kind of behavior,” Teodoro said, citing frequent confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels. Tensions have escalated, with Manila regularly accusing Beijing of harassment by its coast guard.
Teodoro stressed that the international order must be upheld. “Countries like the Philippines, Lithuania, Latvia — we rely on a world where freedom and human dignity are respected,” he said. “We cannot accept a future where we’re constantly under surveillance or afraid to speak.”
Summit Overshadowed by China’s Absence
The annual Shangri-La Dialogue, hosted by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, typically features competing visions from the U.S. and China. This year, however, Beijing sent only a lower-level delegation and chose not to deliver a formal speech, leaving its position largely unexplained.
According to BBC News, that absence created a vacuum quickly filled by criticism. The United States and allies including Australia, Japan, and the Philippines used the stage to question China’s motives and press for respect for international norms.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned of China’s “imminent threat” to Taiwan and described Beijing as a “hegemonic power” determined to rewrite the rules in the Asia-Pacific.
China responded swiftly, issuing statements accusing Hegseth of “vilifying” the country with false accusations and claiming the U.S. is the true destabilizing force in the region.
Aukus and Defense Spending
In Singapore, Marles said Australia is stepping up to meet regional challenges, confirming that projects under the Aukus agreement — a pact with the U.S. and U.K. — are moving ahead. The deal will provide Australia with nuclear-powered submarines and more frequent U.S. naval visits.
Asked if Australia would raise its defense budget to 3% of GDP, as advocated by former U.S. President Donald Trump, Marles did not commit but stressed the importance of greater security investment.
“We’re already heading down that path,” he said. “We know what’s at stake, and we’re committed.”
A Region at a Crossroads
As the summit closed, one message rang clear: the Indo-Pacific is entering a new, uncertain era. With China’s assertiveness growing and the U.S. urging allies to strengthen ties, countries in the region must clarify their positions.
With China offering little explanation or reassurance, leaders like Marles and Teodoro are intensifying calls for openness and respect for the rules-based international order.
“We are not asking for confrontation,” Marles said. “We are asking for clarity, for calm, and for cooperation. And we hope China will listen.”
