By Clement Tan | June 2, 2024 | The Straits Times
SINGAPORE – The United States wants to meld its strategic alliances and partnerships in Asia into a “new convergence” based on the rule of law – a commitment that its defence chief said will continue regardless of the outcome of the presidential election in November.
Mr Lloyd Austin evoked “a future of fresh and growing partnerships” in a speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue on June 1, which immediately elicited a question from a Chinese military delegate on whether the US was planning to build “a Nato-like system in the Asia-Pacific region”.
In response, the US Secretary of Defence described it as a strengthening of relationships with allies and partners based on a common vision and common values.
He also emphatically rejected the Chinese delegate’s suggestion that Nato’s eastern expansion was responsible for the war in Ukraine, eliciting applause from many in the audience.
Continue reading “‘US can be secure only if Asia is’: US defence chief seeks to deepen strategic alliances in region”