US Defense Minister At Shangri-La Security Forum: Enough Ukraine And Gaza, Focus On China's Threats Again In Asia-Pacific

In this forum, the US Defense Minister also spoke directly with Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto. (Doc. X/@SecDef)

JAKARTA - United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke at the annual meeting of the Shangri-La Forum security summit in Singapore, this Saturday.

In his speech, quoted by Reuters on June 1, he attempted to divert his attention back to China's threat to Asia-Pacific on Saturday, he was concerned that the conflict in Ukraine and Gaza had shifted attention to America's security commitments in the region.

He also added that there are growing concerns that Washington's focus on helping Ukraine fight the Russian invasion and support Israel's war on Gaza, while trying to ensure the conflict does not spread, has distract from the Indo-Pacific.

"Despite historic clashes in Europe and the Middle East, the Indo-Pacific remains our main operating theater," Austin said in a speech, apparently aiming to assert the administration's legacy in the region towards the end of President Joe Biden's first term.

"Let me emphasize: The United States can only be safe if Asia is safe, that's why the United States has long maintained our presence in this region," he continued.

The speech led to Beijing's actions in the region, including the South China Sea, without specifying China directly in most of the speech.

Meanwhile, in response, Chinese Lieutenant General Jing Jianfeng said the US Indo-Pacific strategy was intended "to create divisions, provoke confrontations, and destabilize".

"Only serving US selfish geopolitical interests and contrary to historical trends and shared aspirations of regional countries for mutual peace, development and cooperation," said Jing, deputy chief of staff of China's Joint Military Commission.

Earlier, during their meeting on Friday, Dong warned Austin that the US should not intervene in China's affairs with Taiwan, defense ministry spokesman Wu Qian told reporters. China claims the democratically-ruled island is its own territory.

Some US officials say Beijing has become more courageous in recent years, let alone recently launched what they call "punishment" exercises around Taiwan, sending armed warplanes and hosting pretending attacks after Lai Ching-te was sworn in as Taiwan's president.