ASEAN ‘forced’ PH to invite China at ASEAN Defense Meeting
Embassy claims participation ‘obstructed’ by SND Teodoro
THE Chinese Embassy claimed “strong opposition” from the other members of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) forced Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto ‘Gibo’ Teodoro to invite China to participate in the 13th round of the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM Plus) that was held in Mactan, Cebu from October 28 to October 29.
The Embassy made the clarification in its social media page in response to the claim of Philippine Coastguard Commodore Jay Tarrriela that China’s Defense Minister Admiral Dong Jun ignored the meeting “because China has no regard for ASEAN.”
The Philippines plays host to the ADMM as chair of ASEAN for this year. Since its formation in 2010 during Vietnam’s ASEAN chairmanship, it has evolved into the premier official platform for defense and security cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. The forum provides a mechanism for defense ministers to engage in dialogue, build mutual trust, and promote practical military cooperation to address transnational regional security challenges.
It consisted of the 10 ASEAN members and 8 ‘Dialogue Partners’ — China, United States, Russian Federation, Australia, India, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea.
US Department of War Secretary Pete Hegseth headed those who attended the meeting, along with the defense ministers of Japan, Australia and India from the dialogue partners, while China sent its defense attaché, Senior Captain Yang Lei, stationed in its Embassy.
“All other ADMM-Plus member states received their invitations in late September or early October.
“However, the participation of the Chinese delegation was obstructed by Philippine Secretary of National Defense (SND) Gilberto Teodoro, who acted out of personal self-interest and disregarded the ADMM-Plus principle of openness and inclusivity,” the Embassy bared.
“Only after other ASEAN countries expressed strong opposition to such acts that the Philippines Department of National Defense (DND) reluctantly sent an invitation letter to China on October 22,” or less than a week before the event, the Embassy noted. It added was confirmed by Teodoro at his press briefing the following day.
“(This) left China fewer than five working days for preparation. China was also required to complete its registration within just two days.
“Under such circumstances, it was virtually impossible to complete the necessary preparation,” the Embassy added.
It also stressed that despite differences and while Teodoro “took a position contrary to the ‘ASEAN Way,’ China, by contrast, has never singled out the Philippines in its multilateral defense cooperation with ASEAN.”
The Embassy also urged Tarriela to clarify the issue with Teodoro “or the other participating countries” by making any accusation in public.
“Stop spreading lies, distorting facts, and turning right into wrong when you don’t even have a clear understanding of the situation.
“Don’t deliberately stir up controversy and sow discord based on misinformation,” the Embassy lectured.
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