I was reminded that Shangri-La is a fictional utopian paradise valley in Tibet as I read the remarks of the Chinese defence minister to the Singaporean security conference held in the hotel named after the mythical land.
In his speech on “China’s New Security Initiative,” Li Shangfu emphasised “a new path to security featuring dialogue over confrontation, partnership over alliance, and win-win over zero-sum.”
How utopian.
Prior to giving his speech, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), of which Li is the responsible minister, was demonstrating China’s commitment to “eliminating conflicts and confrontation” by carrying-out reckless maneuvers against a U.S. plane and naval vessel in the China Sea.
In an act reminiscent of similar incidents with Australian and Canadian airforce planes, the Chinese pilot flew dangerously close to U.S. aircraft. In the South China Sea, a PLA navy vessel cut across the bow of the U.S. ship, akin to a driver diving in front of another vehicle on the highway.
Li further demonstrated “mutual trust and consultation” and “preventing bloc confrontation” by refusing an invitation to discuss security issues with the U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
CCP mouthpiece, The Global Times, gushed that “the ‘debut’ was undoubtedly a success from any perspective.” It continued that “it is inevitable that China’s ‘New Security Initiative’ has gained popularity.”
This is not the understanding of most of the nations in the region, which regard the CCP’s naked aggression as troublesome, to say the least.
Indeed, most discussions between ministers, senior officials, and defence chiefs at the annual Indo-Pacific Security Dialogue centred on how to contain an aggressive CCP.
In that regard, little has changed for years, apart from China’s increasing aggression against its neighbours. In all the important bilateral and multilateral side meetings, it was the only issue.
It is clear that Li’s comments were intended primarily for his leader, Xi Jinping, and members of the communist party. They indulged the same bellicose nationalism that Xi has fostered regularly.
“China sincerely regards the Shangri-La Dialogue as a platform for discussing security and communicating with all parties on an equal footing, and is also truly seeking dialogue, cooperation, and solutions for the pursuit of peace, prosperity, and stability in the Asia-Pacific region,” added the Global Times. Except for sitting down for a discussion with the Americans.
While Dialogue Is Good, Action Is Needed Too
This brings me to the Australian contribution.Each year, a national leader is invited to give the opening keynote address. This year it was Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
The prime minister reinforced the messages that Australia was committed to deterrence and reassurance in the Indo-Pacific and stood by its belief in the force for good that American leadership has represented.
However, his belief, expressed also by the Australian foreign minister on other occasions, that ongoing dialogue and appropriate guardrails are the critical elements of regional security and peace, is not reflected in the actions of the CCP.
As the events of the week demonstrated again, the Chinese regime continues to reject such guardrails and won’t even have a discussion about them.
This is a dangerous escalation in both action and rhetoric by the CCP.
Australia and like-minded nations should continue to press for peaceful discussion and ongoing dialogue, and urgently carry out any actions needed to embed guardrails in the region.
To fail to do so, will leave Western leaders stuck in their own utopian Shangri-La.
