Philippines defence chief Gilberto Teodoro Jr calls out China's ‘propaganda spiel' at Shangri-La Dialogue

Straits Times

01-06-2025

SINGAPORE - A 'deficit of trust' stands in the way of Beijing's ability to resolve disputes such as overlapping claims in the South China Sea, said Philippines defence chief Gilberto Teodoro Jr on June 1.
Speaking on June 1 at a plenary session during the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Mr Teodoro also hit back at questions from Chinese delegates after one official compared the Philippines' handling of the waterway dispute with China, with the approaches taken by Malaysia and Vietnam, asking why Manila could not 'do the same' and 'effectively manage' these differences.
The same official also asked if Manila's intention was to 'act as a proxy for external powers'.
Among the claimants of the contested waterway, Manila, which has a mutual defence treaty with Washington, has been one of the most vocal in speaking out against Beijing's moves to assert its sovereignty in the South China Sea, with tense confrontations breaking out in recent times between the two countries' vessels and coast guards.
This is in contrast to fellow Asean member states who also have territorial claims in the strategic waterway, which China claims the majority of via a 'nine-dash line' it uses to demarcate its territory.
The area within the dashes overlaps with areas that Asean members Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Brunei and Indonesia claim as their territories or exclusive economic zones. Currently, there are ongoing negotiations between Asean and Beijing to ink a Code of Conduct to manage South China Sea disputes peacefully .
Labelling the queries posed during the session as a 'propaganda spiel disguised as questions' , which drew applause from those in attendance, Mr Teodoro said: 'On dialogue with China, unfortunately, my personal opinion (is that) the fact that the way the question was asked... engenders a deficit of trust in China's words vis-a-vis action.'
He also said that while the Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam were part of Asean , they are also sovereign countries with their own territorial integrity.
'I'm sure that if what China is doing to the Philippines is done to Malaysia or to any Asean country, you will see a different reaction. Certainly, as an Asean brother, the Philippines will stand up with that Asean brother in time of need and in support and defence of internal law and Unclos (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea),' he said.
Commenting on conducting dialogue with China , Mr Teodoro said that for such exchanges to be effective, it must be coupled with trust.
He added: 'China has a lot of trust-building to do to be an effective negotiating partner in dispute settlement.
'We have to call a spade a spade… And that's the biggest stumbling block in dispute resolution or dialogue with China, the deficit of trust.'
And while some Asean member states do have overlapping territorial claims with each other, these differences are dealt with in a cooperative and peaceful manner because of the trust between the nations.
'Asean should not allow other parties to define what Asean centrality means. And not (allow others) to use Asean's perceived action or inaction as a wedge to drive divisions among us,' Mr Teodoro said.
When asked for a response on Mr Teodoro's remarks, Senior Colonel Qi Dapeng, a National Defence University professor who was among the Chinese delegates that posed questions at the session, took issue with how the Chinese queries were being framed as propaganda slogans. He told the Straits Times at the sidelines of the forum that Mr Teodoro has failed to respond to the issue 'properly'.
In his remarks, Mr Teodoro warned that disruptions in strategic maritime corridors such as the South China Sea, the Suez Canal and the Bab el Mandeb, will have impacts across the globe.
'They are arteries of the global economy. Disruption in any of these maritime corridors triggers ripple effects across continents, impacting trade flows, military deployments and diplomatic posture,' he said.
Also speaking during the plenary session on Enhancing Security Cooperation for a Stable Asia-Pacific were Thailand's deputy prime minister and defence minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Lithuania's Minister of National Defence Dovile Sakaliene.
Mr Phumthum said that there have been efforts for Asean to unite on various fronts, including to strengthen the resilience of critical infrastructure as well as cross-regional security mechanisms.
One area of concern in particular was the protection of undersea infrastructure, which he said remains vulnerable to physical attacks, sabotage and natural disasters.
'Disruption in this domain carries far-reaching consequences for regional economies and security,' he said.
Thailand's deputy prime minister and defence minister Phumtham Wechayachai said that there have been efforts for Asean to unite on various fronts.
PHOTO: BLOOMBERG
Thailand, along with Singapore and Brunei, have proposed that the Asean Digital Masterplan 2025, which focuses on advancing digital transformation in the region, drive cooperation in this area, he added.
Answering questions about Thailand's efforts to combat the networks of illegal scam centres that have been operating along its border with Myanmar, Mr Phumthum said this involves collective efforts from all countries.
Bangkok and Beijing had earlier in 2025 launched a series of crackdowns to tackle the multi-billion-dollar scam hubs located in Myanmar, repatriating thousands of foreigners – including many Chinese nationals – who had been held captive there .
'We use our positive relations with Myanmar and talk with all concerned countries about online scammer issues, and collaborate in helping victims and trying to find a durable resolution,' he said.
Thailand has also cut cross-border supply of electricity, water and internet connectivity to areas in Myanmar linked with these scam centres, he noted.
'This has undoubtedly impacted the local people in the area, but it will help us reduce the problem of online scammers and transnational crime,' Mr Phumthum added.
Meanwhile, Ms Sakaliene highlighted Lithuania's Indo-Pacific Strategy that was launched in 2023 in response to the need to ensure security, economic cooperation and strengthen the small state's international position.
'We do have something to offer. And as one of my wonderful colleagues said here, being small does not mean being insignificant, especially where there are a lot of such small ones like us,' she said.
On May 31, United States Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said during the security conference that the future, security and prosperity of the US and its Indo-Pacific allies were linked and 'bound together'. He also encouraged Asian countries to increase their defence spending.
Ms Sakaliene said that while the United States' strategic focus on the Indo-Pacific was justified and necessary, it was not Washington's responsibility alone.
'I'm very glad to hear that so many of us here agree that we do have to work together,' she said, warning that if more 'coordinated action' by 'less diplomatically' aligned and authoritarian regimes were to take place, it would complicate global stability for decades.
She added: 'In these times of uncertainty, I believe that our ability to weave a tightly knit network of allies and partners from Europe to the Indo-Pacific, based on fair government sharing and defence of joint interest against common threats, is crucial.'
Additional reporting by Yew Lun Tian
Tan Tam Mei is assistant foreign editor at The Straits Times. She oversees coverage of South-east Asia.
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