China Accuses Philippines of Obstructing ASEAN Defense Summit Participation
China accused the Philippines of creating obstacles to hinder its participation in the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus, resulting in the lowest-ranking Chinese representation since 2010.
The Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China accused the Philippines of abusing its chairmanship of the 13th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) to obstruct Chinese participation. The dispute centered on claims that the Philippines violated basic diplomatic protocols and allowed politicians to use public office for private ends, creating obstacles that prevented China's defense minister from attending the summit in Cebu and Lapu-Lapu.
Due to these alleged obstructions, Beijing sent a defense attaché from its Manila embassy, marking the lowest-ranking Chinese representative to attend the event since its inception in 2010. Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang stated that these actions violated the ASEAN principle of consensus through consultation and the spirit of openness and inclusiveness.
Philippine Defense Minister Gilberto Teodoro rejected the accusations, asserting that China's grievances do not reflect the position of the broader ASEAN bloc. The diplomatic row occurs amid ongoing territorial confrontations in the South China Sea. During the summit, other nations including the United States, Japan, and Australia sent their defense chiefs. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth used the gathering to propose a new U.S.-ASEAN defense framework to strengthen regional partnerships.
