South China Sea row to top agenda of Asean defence ministers’ meeting amid China-Philippines clashes

Asean defence ministers are set to meet in Jakarta to discuss regional challenges, including rising tensions over territorial disputes in the South China Sea

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin is expected to attend the regional bloc’s security meeting, reaffirming US commitment to the Indo-Pacific region

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A suspected Chinese militia ship blocks a Philippine coast guard ship as they approach Second Thomas Shoal during a resupply mission at the disputed South China Sea on Friday Nov. 10, 2023. Photo: AP

Published: 8:06pm, 14 Nov 2023

Rising tensions from territorial rows in the South China Sea will come into sharp focus when Asean defence chiefs meet this week in Jakarta, but analysts are not expecting the talks to ease the situation on the ground any time soon.

On Wednesday, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will hold the Asean Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM). On Thursday, they will hold the ADMM-Plus session, which will also include eight of the bloc’s dialogue partners, including China, Japan, India and the United States. US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin is expected to attend.

The countries are expected to discuss challenges facing the region, including skirmishes between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea, which have become increasingly frequent in recent months.

Manila has accused Beijing of making aggressive efforts to assert its claim to almost the entire South China Sea, while China has claimed that the Philippines has trespassed on Chinese waters.

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Philippines says Chinese vessels in disputed waters won’t deter ‘dangerous’ supply missions

On Friday, a Chinese coast guard ship blasted a water cannon towards a Philippine motorboat that was delivering food and other supplies to Filipino forces on a marooned, rusting warship that serves as the country’s fragile territorial outpost at the Second Thomas Shoal.