- US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin calls out China for a series of coercive, aggressive and dangerous actions.
- Austin: “Indo-Pacific countries shouldn’t face political intimidation, economic coercion, or harassment by maritime militias”.
- The Shangri-La Dialogue is Asia’s premier defense conference.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin chastised China for a series of coercive, aggressive, and hazardous acts that endanger Asia’s stability; and warned that the US would stand by allies to oppose any pressure.
“Political intimidation, economic coercion, or harassment by maritime militias should not be tolerated in Indo-Pacific countries;” Austin stated at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s largest defence forum.
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“The PRC’s actions threaten to undermine Indo-Pacific security, stability, and prosperity,” Austin warned; using the abbreviation to refer to the country by its formal name, the People’s Republic of China.
He cited a number of instances in which he believes China is imposing its will on its neighbours; including sending huge numbers of aeroplanes into the skies over Taiwan; dangerously intercepting US partners’ patrol planes, and illegal fishing operations that “plunder the region’s resources.”
