31-5-2024 (MANILA) The Philippines, alongside other nations, is poised to explore avenues for de-escalating tensions in the contentious South China Sea region during a pivotal defense summit in Singapore. Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro underscored the significance of the 21st International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s largest defense conference, as a vital platform for addressing divergent positions and mitigating regional and international tensions.
The highly anticipated event, to be keynoted by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. himself, is expected to draw an impressive roster of attendees, including China’s Minister of National Defense, Admiral Dong Jun, and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd James Austin III, among other key defense officials from various countries.
“Let me put forward that the International Institute for Strategic Studies Shangri-La Dialogue is a vital venue to discuss and debate divergent positions on numerous issues, critical challenges, and emerging concerns,” Teodoro stated. President Marcos is slated to deliver his keynote address at 8 pm local time.
“Most important, however, we are all here to collectively manage, mitigate, and to reinvigorate the process of de-escalating regional and international tensions,” he added, alluding to the country’s ongoing maritime dispute with China over the latter’s assertive claims in the South China Sea.
Teodoro emphasized that the defense conference presents an “excellent platform, under the guidance of President Marcos Jr., to amplify the Philippines’ national interest and positions on regional and international security and defense challenges.”
“I will be meeting with my various counterparts and senior government officials on the fringes of the Shangri-La Dialogue 2024, where we will be engaging in discussions of strategic concerns between our countries,” he affirmed.
With more than 550 delegates from the defense and security establishments of over 40 nations worldwide expected to attend the event at the Shangri-La Hotel, the stage is set for crucial deliberations on pressing regional and global security matters.
The conference takes place against the backdrop of escalating tensions between the Philippines and China over the latter’s imposing new restrictions on Filipino fishermen, including a four-month fishing ban in the South China Sea, which the Philippines has vowed to ignore.
