During the Shangri-La Dialogue, various leaders underscored the importance of increased defense spending and collaboration among nations to ensure regional stability. U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth warned that allies not contributing adequately to collective defense may face a shift in how defense partnerships operate.
The Netherlands' Deputy Prime Minister Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius stressed the necessity of stepping up defense spending to avoid being sidelined in global discussions. The Philippines' National Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro expressed a commitment to enhancing the country's defense capabilities and building alliances.
Singapore's Defense Minister Chan Chun Sing noted that a nation's military strength must be matched by efforts to reassure others about its intentions. The dialogue also addressed the Asia-Pacific's need for responsible commitments from major powers, with Vietnam's President To Lam emphasizing the region's openness to all legitimate interests.
The discussions reflected a growing concern over China's assertive actions, with Teodoro labeling China's expansionism as unrepentant. The dialogue concluded with calls for reform in global security governance to better represent developing nations, highlighting the urgent need for multilateral cooperation in addressing contemporary security challenges