China Warns Against “Hijacking” ASEAN Defence Talks as Hegseth Heads to Cebu
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Monday that Beijing opposes attempts by anyone to use this week’s ASEAN defence ministers’ platform to seek selfish gains, hijack ASEAN or create trouble, without naming any country, according to Anadolu Agency. He said the meeting should help regional states step up dialogue and build trust. China has not said whether a delegation will attend.
Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., who chairs the talks, told reporters in Makati that he will hold a bilateral and a so-called squad meeting with US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth in Cebu, the Philippine News Agency reported. He also floated wider visiting forces agreements with like-minded countries.
India’s government said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will lead its delegation to the ADMM-Plus on October 28 and 29 and hold sideline bilaterals.
The meetings open Wednesday, and the discussions themselves will show how far these positions diverge.