SINGAPORE — During talks at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s leading defense forum, top security officials shed light on the increasingly blurred geopolitical lines, underscoring the need for a collective approach in addressing global defense challenges. The discussion was fueled by recent collaborations between China and North Korea in supporting Russia’s warfare efforts in Ukraine.
North Korea’s direct military involvement on the Ukrainian front lines, paired with China’s economic and technological backing for Russia, has sparked international concern over the potential consequences of Ukraine’s fate. Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovil? Šakalien? highlighted the implications for Asia should Ukraine succumb, warning that it could embolden China in asserting territorial claims over Taiwan and the South China Sea. “If Russia prevails in Ukraine, it signals anyone can flout international borders and justify invasions,” she remarked, noting the broader impact beyond Europe and Asia.
This perspective echoed earlier comments by French President Emmanuel Macron, advocating for deeper European involvement in the Indo-Pacific region. Meanwhile, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed a preference for European nations concentrating on their regional defenses, leaving the Indo-Pacific zone predominantly under U.S. influence. Nonetheless, Šakalien? argued for a more integrated approach, noting the interconnected nature of cyber threats. “Whether in Japan or Lithuania, the common denominators in cyber threats are China, Russia, and North Korea,” she stated.
Šakalien? also emphasized the need for a concerted global response to the emergence of an authoritarian coalition of Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea. Iran’s role in supplying drones to Russia exemplifies the growing ties in this axis. She declared the United States’ focus on the Indo-Pacific both a justified and necessary strategy, but not one the U.S. should shoulder alone.
The significance of European engagement was further noted by Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles, who underscored the perceived connection between the Indo-Pacific and North Atlantic regions. Meanwhile, China, represented by a lower-tier delegation, rebuffed Hegseth’s critiques of regional destabilization and intentions to forcefully reclaim Taiwan, labeling U.S. actions as hegemonic.
In response, Philippines Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr criticized claims that the U.S. was destabilizing the region, referencing China’s aggressive maritime conduct as contrary to international norms. “To understand a China-led order, observe its treatment of smaller neighboring nations in the South China Sea,” he stated.
Highlighting the global stakes of regional tensions, Teodoro noted the South China Sea’s critical role in global trade and the potential ripple effects of disruptions. Singapore’s Defense Minister Chan Chun Sing lamented China’s absence of its defense minister at the forum but advocated for continued diplomatic engagement to prevent misunderstandings. He emphasized the importance of bilateral understanding, asserting that a collaborative approach benefits both China and its global counterparts.