Shangri-La Dialogue: can Asia do ‘less Shangri-La, more ships, more subs’?
As the Shangri-La Dialogue drew to a close on Sunday, two issues dominated discussions throughout the event: defence spending and the varying level of commitment of countries to maintain peace in the region after calls by Washington for its allies and others to pull their weight.
Analysts said the 3.5 per cent of gross domestic product for defence spending proposed by US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth was not something that most Asean countries – aside from Singapore – could commit to.
Hegseth...
Japan Rejects 'New Militarism' Claims
- Japan defence minister denies militarism, criticises China's 'huge arsenal' BBC News —
- Japan defence chief takes swipe at China at security meet Bangkok Post —
- Japan defense chief takes swipe at China The Korea Herald —
- Japan’s Koizumi rejects China accusations of ‘new militarism’ Financial Times —
- Japan defence minister rebuffs claims of ‘new militarism’ levelled by China The Guardian —