As this year's Shangri-La Dialogue kicked off in Singapore, the South China Sea once again dominated the agenda. Defence ministers, military chiefs and policy experts from across G20 nations and beyond gathered in the city-state to dissect one of Asia's most sensitive maritime flashpoints.
A newly released security assessment sounded the alarm on rising military activity in the region, zeroing in on the Philippines' deepening cooperation with the United States. The report highlights a series of joint exercises and strategic dialogues that analysts believe are reshaping the region's fragile security dynamics.
Against this backdrop, Beijing has urged all parties to pursue consultation rather than confrontation. "Consultation, not conflict, must guide our actions," notes CGTN's Zhao Yunfei. As high-level talks continue, stakeholders across the region are watching closely for diplomatic overtures that could steer the dialogue towards lasting stability.
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South China Sea issue in focus at Singapore's Shangri-La Dialogue
cgtn.com
