Secretary Austin says America is secure only when Asia is secure.

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks at the Shangri-La Dialogue on June 1.

Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue held in Singapore today, June 1, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin emphasized that the Asia- Pacific region is a priority because the region's security is closely linked to the US.

According to AFP, the statement was made a day after Mr. Austin and Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun had talks on the sidelines of the annual event considered a measure of US-China relations.

"America can only be secure if Asia is secure, and that is why the United States has maintained a long-standing presence in this region," he said at the Shangri-La Dialogue. According to him, despite historical conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, the Asia- Pacific region remains "our priority operating area".

Secretary Austin met with Minister Dong on May 31, in the first substantive face-to-face talks between the two countries’ defense ministers in 18 months, raising hopes of a follow-up military dialogue that could help prevent flashpoint disputes from spiraling out of control.

Mr Austin said the US and China would resume military-to-military contact "in the coming months", while Beijing praised the "stable" bilateral security relationship.

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However, in a speech on June 1, the US Secretary of Defense said that "there is a new era of security in the Indo-Pacific" that is not about "imposing one's will" or "bullying or coercion".

He stressed the importance of alliances in the region. "Peaceful resolution of disputes through dialogue and not coercion or conflict. And certainly not through so-called sanctions," said Mr. Austin.

“The new convergence is about coming together, not separating. It is about the free choice of sovereign nations,” he added.

Observers say the Philippines is one of the focuses of US efforts in the region. In his speech, Mr. Austin emphasized the US commitment to defend the Philippines under the defense agreement.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bo-truong-austin-noi-nuoc-my-an-ninh-chi-khi-chau-a-an-ninh-18524060109341044.htm