ASEAN Defence Tensions: China Blames Philippine Politician for Meeting Obstacles

China’s defence ministry accused an unnamed Philippine politician of creating barriers to China’s involvement in the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus held in Cebu this week. Spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang stated on Thursday that these actions contradicted the forum’s inclusive goals and breached diplomatic protocols.

The friction occurs as relations between Beijing and Manila continue to sour. Tensions have escalated following frequent clashes in the South China Sea, where China asserts sovereignty over most of the waters via a nine-dash line. That line overlaps the exclusive economic zones of Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Brunei, and Indonesia. Recently, Beijing also sanctioned Philippine defence secretary Gilberto Teodoro.

China was represented at the Cebu meeting by a military attache because Defence Minister Dong Jun was likely in Beijing for a major Communist Party gathering. Zhang claimed the unnamed politician’s conduct was self-serving and undermined China’s rights, though the ministry did not specify the exact obstacles involved.

The timeline of the dispute remains partially opaque. The Philippines indicated its defence ministry had formally invited China to join the forum. However, the specific actions taken by the local politician that prompted the Chinese complaint were not detailed in the ministry’s briefing.

Gilberto Teodoro responded to the allegations later on Thursday. He stated that ASEAN should decide how China’s participation would be handled. Teodoro did not directly refute the charge of obstruction, leaving the resolution of the procedural dispute to the regional organization.