søndag 1. juni 2025

Australia asks China to explain 'extraordinary' military build-up

Australia's defence minister Richard Marles has called on China to explain why it needs to have "such an extraordinary military build-up". He said Beijing needs to provide greater transparency and reassurance as it is the "fundamental issue" for the region.

Meanwhile, the Philippines defence minister Gilberto Teodoro Jr has called China "absolutely irresponsible and reckless" in its actions in the South China Sea. The ministers had separately addressed reporters on the sidelines of an Asian defence summit held in Singapore. China has yet to respond to either Marles or Teodoro. Organised by the think tank International Institute for Strategic Studies, the Shangri-la Dialogue has traditionally been anchored by the US and China, which have been jostling for power in the region.