00:01Top security officials from around the world were in Singapore this weekend at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue,
00:06held by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies.
00:10The forum comes at a time of increasing global uncertainty, from the war in the Middle East to rising tensions
00:15in the Indo-Pacific.
00:17On day two, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hexeth delivered a keynote speech calling on allies to boost defense spending
00:23in the face of China's expansive military buildup.
00:26U.S. General Xavier Brunson, who leads American forces in Korea, also elaborated on his earlier comments calling Korea a
00:32dagger aimed at China.
00:34U.S. regional allies also issued their own rebukes over China.
00:38Tokyo called out Beijing's military activities as a serious concern for themselves and the international community.
00:44Some of you may have heard the term new militarism, but nothing further from the truth.
00:51Think about it. There is a country that has a huge arsenal of nuclear weapons and strategic bombers.
01:00Japan has neither of such weapons. And yet, Japan is labeled new militarism.
01:06While Philippines Defense Secretary Goberto Teodoro said the country has no choice but to be resilient.
01:33China denies that its military buildup is a threat to neighboring countries.
01:36Beijing this year did not send its defense chief or high-level official, instead choosing the Senate delegation of scholars
01:42and experts.
01:44We are totally not interested in seeking hegemony or having so-called sphere of influence.
01:52We are building up our defense capabilities to defend our own country, to safeguard our sovereignty and territorial integrity, and
02:01to achieve national reunification. That's it.
02:04National reunification is often how China refers to Taiwan, which it views as its own territory and has never ruled
02:10out taking by force.
02:12This all comes the same month as U.S. President Donald Trump visited Beijing to speak with his counterpart Xi
02:17Jinping.
02:17Since that visit, an expected $14 billion arm sale from the U.S. to Taiwan has reportedly faced delays, sparking
02:25concerns in Taipei.
02:26Now with the forum concluded and leaders on the way back to their own countries, it remains to be seen
02:30how what was said in Singapore will influence decision-makers around the world.
02:34Chris Ma and Larry Siano for Taiwan Plus.
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