By South China Morning Post | Created at 2024-11-27 15:06:46 | Updated at 2024-11-27 17:42:32
2 hours ago
China will face increased pressure from the US and its Indo-Pacific allies, especially in the South China Sea, analysts have warned, citing Washington’s consolidation of regional security alliances – including the first five-way meeting of defence ministers.
The defence chiefs of the United States, Japan, the Philippines, South Korea and Australia held talks last week in Laos, on the sidelines of the Asean-Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADDM-Plus) security conference.
“Plus” refers to the eight dialogue partners, including China and the United States, that take part in the annual conference with the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
According to the Pentagon, the five-nation meeting last Thursday “underscored their shared commitment to advance a vision for a free, open, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific, where international law and sovereignty are respected”.
The outgoing Biden administration has been trying to step up Indo-Pacific security and defence engagement ahead of Donald Trump’s return to the White House.
