The US wants to strengthen security relations with ASEAN to deal with China.
(Baonghean.vn) - On June 1, US Defense Secretary James Mattis agreed with partners from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on strengthening security ties between the US and the region, amid concerns about China's increased militarization in the East Sea.
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| US Defense Secretary Mattis will deliver a speech on security in the Indo-Pacific region on June 2. Photo: AP |
In separate talks with defense ministers from ASEAN member countries, the Pentagon chief expressed his willingness to promote the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy,” which is maintained by the Trump administration.
The strategy aims to ensure stability from East Asia to Africa through cooperation with countries that share values, such as freedom of navigation and the rule of law. Analysts say that by deepening security ties with ASEAN, Washington is trying to counter Beijing’s increasingly assertive stance and increased militarization of the South China Sea.
It is expected that tomorrow, June 2, Mr. Mattis will give a speech on security in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Shangri-La Dialogue, sponsored by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), has been held annually in Singapore since 2002.
Defense officials from about 40 countries, including the United States and many countries in Asia and Europe, participated in this Dialogue.
China only sent a low-level military delegation, led by Lieutenant General He Lei, Vice President of the Academy of Military Sciences of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), to participate in this year's Shangri-La Dialogue./.
