1 00:00:00,009 --> 00:00:02,231 Good morning . Your Excellencies . If I 2 00:00:02,231 --> 00:00:04,453 may please ask you to take your seats , 3 00:00:04,453 --> 00:00:08,289 we're about to begin our program uh of 4 00:00:08,300 --> 00:00:11,979 this uh 21st is Ss Shangri La 5 00:00:12,000 --> 00:00:15,439 Dialogue and uh that will go smoother 6 00:00:15,449 --> 00:00:17,909 if you start taking your seats and we 7 00:00:17,920 --> 00:00:20,649 can get the room settled , please . 8 00:00:24,620 --> 00:00:26,959 It is my great pleasure and honor to 9 00:00:26,969 --> 00:00:29,309 invite onto the stage , the US 10 00:00:29,319 --> 00:00:31,399 Secretary of Defense , the honorable 11 00:00:31,409 --> 00:00:32,240 Lloyd Austin 12 00:00:40,040 --> 00:00:42,099 Secretary . Thank you very much 13 00:00:46,740 --> 00:00:47,939 again , ask you 14 00:00:58,610 --> 00:01:00,943 your Excellencies . A very good morning . 15 00:01:01,069 --> 00:01:03,291 I'm pleased to see you all here and I'm 16 00:01:03,291 --> 00:01:06,540 delighted to open the 21st is 17 00:01:06,830 --> 00:01:09,239 Shangri la dialogue . Asia's premier 18 00:01:09,250 --> 00:01:11,870 defense Summit . I would like to begin 19 00:01:11,879 --> 00:01:14,150 by thanking Prime Minister Lawrence 20 00:01:14,160 --> 00:01:16,980 Wong for having hosted us last night 21 00:01:17,269 --> 00:01:20,129 for the opening keynote address . In 22 00:01:20,139 --> 00:01:22,370 the keynote address , President Marcos 23 00:01:22,379 --> 00:01:24,699 of the Philippines spoke about his 24 00:01:24,709 --> 00:01:27,220 vision for a strong and prosperous Asia 25 00:01:27,230 --> 00:01:29,286 Pacific and he made important points 26 00:01:29,286 --> 00:01:32,400 about the integrity of multilateralism 27 00:01:32,410 --> 00:01:35,379 and the rule of law . It's fantastic to 28 00:01:35,389 --> 00:01:37,650 see so many delegations here at the 29 00:01:37,660 --> 00:01:39,849 dialogue . It is fantastic to see so 30 00:01:39,860 --> 00:01:42,669 many ministers engaging in defense 31 00:01:42,680 --> 00:01:44,680 diplomacy and in a minute , we will 32 00:01:44,680 --> 00:01:47,300 begin the first plenary session here at 33 00:01:47,309 --> 00:01:49,730 the dialogue on the United States 34 00:01:49,739 --> 00:01:52,430 strategic partnerships in the Indo 35 00:01:52,440 --> 00:01:55,760 Pacific . A brief reminder that all the 36 00:01:55,769 --> 00:01:58,970 speeches , all the answers , but also 37 00:01:58,980 --> 00:02:00,924 all the questions are delivered in 38 00:02:00,924 --> 00:02:03,720 these uh plenary sessions will be on 39 00:02:03,730 --> 00:02:06,589 the record . We are techno , techno 40 00:02:06,870 --> 00:02:10,440 technologically enabled here at the ISS . 41 00:02:10,449 --> 00:02:12,671 So if you wish to take the floor to ask 42 00:02:12,671 --> 00:02:14,910 a question or make a comment , you will 43 00:02:14,919 --> 00:02:17,130 have noticed you have a microphone at 44 00:02:17,139 --> 00:02:20,639 your seat to uh to do so . You will 45 00:02:20,649 --> 00:02:24,369 need your delegate badge this little 46 00:02:24,380 --> 00:02:27,830 batch here to activate the microphone 47 00:02:28,029 --> 00:02:30,029 altogether . There are two steps 48 00:02:30,039 --> 00:02:32,150 involved . I hope that that should be 49 00:02:32,150 --> 00:02:34,206 manageable . The first one is to put 50 00:02:34,206 --> 00:02:36,990 your delegate badge into the microphone 51 00:02:37,000 --> 00:02:40,570 unit , um which will activate the unit . 52 00:02:40,580 --> 00:02:43,220 And then once you seek the floor , you 53 00:02:43,229 --> 00:02:46,919 press the speak button , then your 54 00:02:46,929 --> 00:02:48,985 microphone , once you've done that , 55 00:02:48,985 --> 00:02:51,119 your microphone will turn green . And 56 00:02:51,130 --> 00:02:54,020 your name is added to my list that I 57 00:02:54,029 --> 00:02:57,940 have up here when your microphone is 58 00:02:57,949 --> 00:03:01,460 green , it is not a hot mic . When I 59 00:03:01,470 --> 00:03:03,740 select you from the list that I have 60 00:03:03,750 --> 00:03:06,160 here , your micro microphone will turn 61 00:03:06,169 --> 00:03:08,529 red and when it does so , it is very 62 00:03:08,539 --> 00:03:10,650 much a hot mic . And then you have an 63 00:03:10,650 --> 00:03:13,889 opportunity to ask your questions . As 64 00:03:13,899 --> 00:03:16,010 always , I'd like to encourage you to 65 00:03:16,010 --> 00:03:19,509 keep those questions short and crisp so 66 00:03:19,520 --> 00:03:22,529 that we can get to meaningful 67 00:03:22,539 --> 00:03:24,650 insightful answers quickly and get to 68 00:03:24,650 --> 00:03:26,650 get through many of them as many of 69 00:03:26,650 --> 00:03:28,740 them as we as we can , there will be 70 00:03:28,750 --> 00:03:31,240 points when more people will be seeking 71 00:03:31,250 --> 00:03:33,929 the floor than I can get in in the 72 00:03:33,940 --> 00:03:36,107 available time . And I'm sure you will 73 00:03:36,107 --> 00:03:38,329 all understand that I will need to be a 74 00:03:38,329 --> 00:03:40,496 bit selective so that we get a variety 75 00:03:40,496 --> 00:03:42,860 of perspectives in . So two steps , 76 00:03:42,880 --> 00:03:45,047 insert your badge , press the button , 77 00:03:45,047 --> 00:03:47,910 you're in the queue . And I'm delighted 78 00:03:47,919 --> 00:03:50,940 to now turn to Lloyd Austin who is back 79 00:03:51,130 --> 00:03:54,770 at the Shangri La dialogue . Many 80 00:03:54,809 --> 00:03:57,190 of you gathered here will know that 81 00:03:57,199 --> 00:03:59,149 Secretary of Defense Austin has 82 00:03:59,160 --> 00:04:01,580 traveled frequently to this region in 83 00:04:01,589 --> 00:04:03,229 the pursuit of us strategic 84 00:04:03,240 --> 00:04:05,830 partnerships and in the pursuit of us 85 00:04:05,839 --> 00:04:07,950 strategic priorities . Mr Secretary , 86 00:04:07,950 --> 00:04:10,259 we're honored to have you back at the 87 00:04:10,270 --> 00:04:12,669 Shangri La dialogue and this podium is 88 00:04:12,679 --> 00:04:14,790 yours . We're looking forward to your 89 00:04:14,790 --> 00:04:16,179 remarks , Mr Secretary . 90 00:04:26,079 --> 00:04:28,246 Well , good morning , everyone . It is 91 00:04:28,246 --> 00:04:31,760 great to be back in Singapore . And I'm 92 00:04:31,769 --> 00:04:35,570 glad to see everyone for my 93 00:04:35,579 --> 00:04:38,209 third Shangri La dialogue as Secretary 94 00:04:38,220 --> 00:04:41,880 of Defense . So this is starting to be 95 00:04:41,890 --> 00:04:45,690 a habit and Bostian and 96 00:04:45,700 --> 00:04:48,010 John told me that if I came back again 97 00:04:48,019 --> 00:04:51,070 this year , I'd get a free set of steak 98 00:04:51,079 --> 00:04:51,970 knives . So , 99 00:04:55,540 --> 00:04:57,809 so let me again , thank double I double 100 00:04:57,820 --> 00:05:00,042 s and our host for bringing us together 101 00:05:00,049 --> 00:05:03,709 here . This is my fourth visit to 102 00:05:03,720 --> 00:05:06,609 Singapore as Secretary of Defense and 103 00:05:06,619 --> 00:05:09,190 I've spoken at a double I double S 104 00:05:09,200 --> 00:05:13,119 event every time and 105 00:05:13,130 --> 00:05:14,963 there really is nothing like the 106 00:05:14,963 --> 00:05:18,910 Shangri La dialogue . I'm glad that 107 00:05:18,920 --> 00:05:21,589 we've got a distinguished bipartisan 108 00:05:21,600 --> 00:05:23,769 delegation here this year from the 109 00:05:24,170 --> 00:05:27,920 United States Congress . Let me 110 00:05:27,929 --> 00:05:29,880 thank Singapore for being such an 111 00:05:29,890 --> 00:05:33,220 outstanding host year after year . 112 00:05:35,619 --> 00:05:37,790 I'm especially grateful to senior 113 00:05:37,799 --> 00:05:41,619 Minister Theo and to my good 114 00:05:41,630 --> 00:05:42,741 friend , Minister , 115 00:05:45,959 --> 00:05:48,181 let me congratulate Prime Minister Wong 116 00:05:48,181 --> 00:05:52,109 on his new role . And you 117 00:05:52,119 --> 00:05:53,952 know , it's great to see so many 118 00:05:53,952 --> 00:05:56,309 friends and valued colleagues in 119 00:05:56,320 --> 00:05:59,220 Singapore , such as Deputy Prime 120 00:05:59,230 --> 00:06:02,579 Minister Morris and President elect 121 00:06:02,589 --> 00:06:05,929 Prabowo . We've also got some great 122 00:06:05,940 --> 00:06:08,209 partners who are here for the first 123 00:06:08,220 --> 00:06:10,510 time as Ministers of Defense including 124 00:06:11,260 --> 00:06:14,769 Minister Kihara , Minister Shin 125 00:06:16,040 --> 00:06:19,829 Mr Collins , Minister Teodoro , 126 00:06:20,130 --> 00:06:22,950 Secretary Teodoro and more , 127 00:06:24,600 --> 00:06:27,579 let me also note that yesterday , I had 128 00:06:27,589 --> 00:06:29,700 the opportunity to meet in person for 129 00:06:29,700 --> 00:06:33,089 the first time with Minister Dong of 130 00:06:33,100 --> 00:06:36,679 the People's Republic of China . We had 131 00:06:36,690 --> 00:06:39,570 a frank discussion and that's important 132 00:06:41,589 --> 00:06:43,811 when we all gathered here . Last year . 133 00:06:44,760 --> 00:06:46,980 I said that the right time for defense 134 00:06:46,989 --> 00:06:50,890 leaders to talk is any time 135 00:06:52,739 --> 00:06:56,380 and every time . So there is no 136 00:06:56,390 --> 00:06:58,559 substitute for direct military to 137 00:06:58,570 --> 00:07:00,929 military talks between senior leaders 138 00:07:02,480 --> 00:07:04,480 and there is no substitute for open 139 00:07:04,480 --> 00:07:06,890 lines of communication to avoid 140 00:07:06,899 --> 00:07:09,399 misunderstanding and miscalculations . 141 00:07:11,429 --> 00:07:14,519 As I've always said , dialogue is not a 142 00:07:14,529 --> 00:07:17,399 reward , it's a necessity . 143 00:07:19,190 --> 00:07:21,190 And so I look forward to more talks 144 00:07:21,190 --> 00:07:22,190 with the PR C . 145 00:07:25,179 --> 00:07:27,459 Now I know that you've seen a lot of me 146 00:07:27,470 --> 00:07:30,989 in this region . This is my 10th visit 147 00:07:31,000 --> 00:07:33,000 to the Indo Pacific as Secretary of 148 00:07:33,000 --> 00:07:36,730 Defense and I have attended every AD 149 00:07:36,739 --> 00:07:39,339 mm plus gathering on my watch . 150 00:07:40,690 --> 00:07:43,230 And that's because the United States is 151 00:07:43,239 --> 00:07:46,820 a Pacific nation . And it's because 152 00:07:46,829 --> 00:07:50,420 this region more than any other is 153 00:07:50,429 --> 00:07:53,059 shaping the course of this century . 154 00:07:55,179 --> 00:07:57,350 United States is deeply committed to 155 00:07:57,359 --> 00:08:00,339 the Indo Pacific . We are all in 156 00:08:01,619 --> 00:08:03,341 and we're not going anywhere . 157 00:08:05,630 --> 00:08:08,989 President Biden has said for decades , 158 00:08:11,190 --> 00:08:13,246 America's enduring commitment to the 159 00:08:13,246 --> 00:08:15,369 region has been a springboard that's 160 00:08:15,380 --> 00:08:17,250 enabled transformative growth , 161 00:08:18,850 --> 00:08:21,589 ensured the open flow of commerce 162 00:08:23,320 --> 00:08:25,809 and lifted millions of people out of 163 00:08:25,820 --> 00:08:29,390 poverty . And in today's 164 00:08:29,399 --> 00:08:32,718 world , the president noted that 165 00:08:32,729 --> 00:08:34,619 relationship goes both ways . 166 00:08:37,070 --> 00:08:39,489 The United States remains vital to the 167 00:08:39,500 --> 00:08:42,859 future of the region and the 168 00:08:42,869 --> 00:08:46,059 region is more vital than ever to the 169 00:08:46,070 --> 00:08:47,570 United States of America . 170 00:08:51,429 --> 00:08:53,373 You know , I made my first trip to 171 00:08:53,373 --> 00:08:55,429 Singapore as Secretary of Defense in 172 00:08:55,429 --> 00:08:59,210 July of 2021 in the first months of the , 173 00:08:59,219 --> 00:09:02,179 of the Biden administration in 174 00:09:02,190 --> 00:09:04,357 Singapore and the region , we're still 175 00:09:04,357 --> 00:09:06,412 in the midst of the COVID pandemic . 176 00:09:07,390 --> 00:09:09,890 The whole audience was wearing masks 177 00:09:12,039 --> 00:09:14,261 and leaders in this region were focused 178 00:09:14,261 --> 00:09:17,190 on how to source more vaccines and to 179 00:09:17,200 --> 00:09:20,559 climb out of the pandemic and open back 180 00:09:20,570 --> 00:09:24,349 up . But the region's recovery 181 00:09:24,359 --> 00:09:28,049 since then has been nothing short of 182 00:09:28,059 --> 00:09:31,919 inspiring . And that's a 183 00:09:31,929 --> 00:09:34,380 reminder of how much we can achieve 184 00:09:34,390 --> 00:09:37,859 together and how our deep ties 185 00:09:38,229 --> 00:09:40,340 can let us come together during tough 186 00:09:40,340 --> 00:09:44,119 times . It's a reminder of how 187 00:09:44,380 --> 00:09:48,099 the investments that we make today and 188 00:09:48,109 --> 00:09:51,929 pay dividends later and often 189 00:09:52,289 --> 00:09:55,580 in new and unexpected forms of 190 00:09:55,590 --> 00:09:59,380 co-operation . So 191 00:10:00,030 --> 00:10:02,530 I'd like to summon that spirit again . 192 00:10:02,539 --> 00:10:06,440 Today , we all understand 193 00:10:06,450 --> 00:10:08,561 the threats and challenges of today's 194 00:10:08,561 --> 00:10:11,359 global security landscape and they 195 00:10:11,369 --> 00:10:14,619 range from the mounting damage of 196 00:10:14,630 --> 00:10:18,119 climate change to the specter of 197 00:10:18,130 --> 00:10:22,130 pandemic disease , from 198 00:10:22,140 --> 00:10:24,010 nuclear dangers to terrorism and 199 00:10:24,020 --> 00:10:28,000 turmoil in the Middle East . From 200 00:10:28,010 --> 00:10:31,349 Russia's reckless war on Ukraine to 201 00:10:31,359 --> 00:10:34,750 actions in this region that 202 00:10:34,760 --> 00:10:38,580 erode the status quo and threaten peace 203 00:10:38,590 --> 00:10:42,140 and stability . So we've 204 00:10:42,150 --> 00:10:45,619 gathered at a hinge in history . 205 00:10:48,320 --> 00:10:50,320 But over the past few years in this 206 00:10:50,320 --> 00:10:53,200 region , we've risen to meet this 207 00:10:53,210 --> 00:10:55,010 moment together . 208 00:10:58,390 --> 00:11:01,130 You know , in my first speech , speech 209 00:11:01,140 --> 00:11:04,200 in Singapore , as Secretary of Defense , 210 00:11:05,469 --> 00:11:08,349 I said that our countries share the 211 00:11:08,359 --> 00:11:12,349 shores of the Pacific . But we 212 00:11:12,359 --> 00:11:14,440 also share an understanding of the 213 00:11:14,450 --> 00:11:18,200 power of partnership . We 214 00:11:18,210 --> 00:11:20,210 understand that power because we've 215 00:11:20,210 --> 00:11:24,049 lived it . The United States in this 216 00:11:24,059 --> 00:11:27,859 region are more secure and more 217 00:11:27,869 --> 00:11:30,349 prosperous when we work together . 218 00:11:32,809 --> 00:11:34,920 And over the past three years , we've 219 00:11:34,920 --> 00:11:36,753 seen just what that looks like , 220 00:11:38,969 --> 00:11:41,260 like minded countries chips 221 00:11:43,219 --> 00:11:46,010 and that is defining a new era of 222 00:11:46,020 --> 00:11:47,742 security in the Indo Pacific . 223 00:11:50,619 --> 00:11:53,690 You know , in the past , our experts 224 00:11:53,700 --> 00:11:56,219 would talk about a hub and spokes model 225 00:11:56,729 --> 00:12:00,630 for Indo Pacific security . And today , 226 00:12:00,640 --> 00:12:02,918 we're seeing something quite different , 227 00:12:03,969 --> 00:12:06,979 this new convergence . It's not a 228 00:12:06,989 --> 00:12:09,840 single alliance or coalition , but 229 00:12:09,849 --> 00:12:11,905 instead something unique to the Indo 230 00:12:12,010 --> 00:12:15,640 Pacific . A set of 231 00:12:15,650 --> 00:12:17,650 overlapping and complimentary 232 00:12:17,659 --> 00:12:21,280 initiatives and institutions propelled 233 00:12:21,289 --> 00:12:24,159 by a shared vision and a shared sense 234 00:12:24,169 --> 00:12:25,799 of mutual obligation . 235 00:12:29,210 --> 00:12:31,390 This new convergence is about coming 236 00:12:31,400 --> 00:12:34,789 together and that's splitting apart . 237 00:12:36,619 --> 00:12:39,049 It isn't about imposing one country's 238 00:12:39,059 --> 00:12:42,280 will . It's about 239 00:12:42,289 --> 00:12:45,630 summoning our sense of common purpose . 240 00:12:48,690 --> 00:12:51,309 It isn't about bullying or coercion . 241 00:12:54,070 --> 00:12:56,210 It's about the free choices of 242 00:12:56,219 --> 00:12:59,940 sovereign states and it's 243 00:12:59,950 --> 00:13:01,799 about nations of goodwill 244 00:13:03,880 --> 00:13:05,979 uniting around the interests that we 245 00:13:05,989 --> 00:13:08,419 share and the values that we cherish . 246 00:13:11,760 --> 00:13:14,380 Now at the heart of this shared vision 247 00:13:15,880 --> 00:13:17,658 is a set of common principles . 248 00:13:19,500 --> 00:13:21,389 Countries across the Indo Pacific 249 00:13:21,389 --> 00:13:23,919 including the United States are 250 00:13:23,929 --> 00:13:27,130 converging around these enduring 251 00:13:27,140 --> 00:13:31,090 beliefs , respect 252 00:13:31,099 --> 00:13:33,321 for sovereignty and international law , 253 00:13:35,549 --> 00:13:38,840 the free flow of commerce and ideas , 254 00:13:41,489 --> 00:13:43,710 freedom of the seas and skies 255 00:13:45,869 --> 00:13:48,830 and openness , transparency and 256 00:13:48,840 --> 00:13:49,840 accountability , 257 00:13:52,559 --> 00:13:54,729 equal dignity for every person 258 00:13:56,719 --> 00:13:59,440 and the peaceful resolution of disputes 259 00:13:59,450 --> 00:14:01,820 through dialogue and not coercion or 260 00:14:01,830 --> 00:14:05,469 conflict and certainly not 261 00:14:05,479 --> 00:14:07,201 through so called punishment . 262 00:14:11,000 --> 00:14:13,559 These principles are widely shared . 263 00:14:14,989 --> 00:14:17,840 They are vital and we've all seen the 264 00:14:17,849 --> 00:14:20,479 consequences when states choose to 265 00:14:20,489 --> 00:14:24,390 violate them . In 266 00:14:24,400 --> 00:14:28,400 February of 2022 Russia's 267 00:14:28,409 --> 00:14:31,049 unprovoked invasion of Ukraine shocked 268 00:14:31,059 --> 00:14:33,030 the world and this region . 269 00:14:36,099 --> 00:14:37,877 And since then , Putin's war of 270 00:14:37,877 --> 00:14:40,760 aggression has provided us all with a 271 00:14:40,770 --> 00:14:42,950 preview of a world that none of us 272 00:14:42,960 --> 00:14:46,880 would want . It's a glimpse 273 00:14:46,890 --> 00:14:48,880 of a world where tyrants trample 274 00:14:48,890 --> 00:14:52,619 sovereign borders , a world where 275 00:14:52,630 --> 00:14:54,741 peaceful states live in fear of their 276 00:14:54,741 --> 00:14:57,599 neighbors in the world where chaos and 277 00:14:57,609 --> 00:15:00,729 conquest , conquest replace rules and 278 00:15:00,739 --> 00:15:01,289 rights . 279 00:15:04,780 --> 00:15:08,719 But Russia's lawless invasion also 280 00:15:08,729 --> 00:15:11,349 reminds us that free countries can 281 00:15:11,359 --> 00:15:13,470 rally together to help the victims of 282 00:15:13,470 --> 00:15:17,390 aggression . You know , we've 283 00:15:17,400 --> 00:15:19,570 all been inspired by the courage of 284 00:15:19,580 --> 00:15:23,200 Ukraine's troops and the resilience 285 00:15:24,059 --> 00:15:25,520 of Ukraine's people . 286 00:15:27,760 --> 00:15:30,020 Governments and people around the world 287 00:15:30,869 --> 00:15:32,813 have rushed to help Ukraine defend 288 00:15:32,813 --> 00:15:34,925 itself including countries across the 289 00:15:34,925 --> 00:15:38,640 Indo Pacific and the 290 00:15:38,650 --> 00:15:41,770 United States will continue to stand 291 00:15:41,780 --> 00:15:44,770 strong for a free and secure Ukraine 292 00:15:46,380 --> 00:15:49,599 and for an open world of rules rights 293 00:15:49,750 --> 00:15:51,150 and responsibilities . 294 00:15:55,250 --> 00:15:58,039 As Prime Minister Kishida said at the 295 00:15:58,049 --> 00:15:59,993 White House just a few weeks ago , 296 00:16:03,090 --> 00:16:05,969 we must resolutely defend and further 297 00:16:05,979 --> 00:16:09,750 solidify a free and open international 298 00:16:09,760 --> 00:16:11,750 order based on the rules of law . 299 00:16:14,909 --> 00:16:17,131 And those principles remain vital right 300 00:16:17,140 --> 00:16:18,640 here in the Indo Pacific . 301 00:16:22,030 --> 00:16:24,219 You know , President Marcos spoke 302 00:16:24,229 --> 00:16:26,451 eloquently last night about the rule of 303 00:16:26,451 --> 00:16:29,859 law in the South China Sea and he's 304 00:16:29,869 --> 00:16:33,450 right , every country large or 305 00:16:33,460 --> 00:16:35,849 small has the right to enjoy its own 306 00:16:35,859 --> 00:16:39,520 maritime resources and to freely 307 00:16:39,530 --> 00:16:42,299 sail and operate wherever international 308 00:16:42,309 --> 00:16:43,200 law allows 309 00:16:46,340 --> 00:16:48,562 the harassment that the Philippines has 310 00:16:48,562 --> 00:16:52,179 faced is dangerous , pure and 311 00:16:52,190 --> 00:16:56,179 simple . And we all 312 00:16:56,190 --> 00:16:58,357 share an interest in ensuring that the 313 00:16:58,357 --> 00:17:00,468 South China Sea remains open and free 314 00:17:04,410 --> 00:17:06,577 peace and stability across this region 315 00:17:06,577 --> 00:17:10,089 are crucial for the whole world . Our 316 00:17:10,099 --> 00:17:13,020 friends in NATO and the European Union 317 00:17:13,160 --> 00:17:17,150 and the G7 know it . And so do we . 318 00:17:19,598 --> 00:17:21,154 So from day one , the Biden 319 00:17:21,154 --> 00:17:24,130 administration has 320 00:17:24,400 --> 00:17:26,959 emphasized that the Indo Pacific is at 321 00:17:26,969 --> 00:17:29,030 the heart of us strategy . 322 00:17:30,910 --> 00:17:32,966 Of course , we're not operating in a 323 00:17:32,966 --> 00:17:36,869 vacuum . Putin's imperial 324 00:17:36,880 --> 00:17:40,310 aggression against Ukraine as echoed 325 00:17:40,319 --> 00:17:43,989 around the world . So the 326 00:17:44,000 --> 00:17:47,260 crisis in the Middle East so has a 327 00:17:47,270 --> 00:17:49,400 crisis in the Middle East after the 328 00:17:49,410 --> 00:17:51,780 Vile October 7th Hamas terrorist 329 00:17:51,790 --> 00:17:52,949 assault on Israel 330 00:17:56,010 --> 00:17:57,621 and the heartbreaking loss . 331 00:17:58,780 --> 00:18:01,209 Palestinian civilian life in Gaza since 332 00:18:01,219 --> 00:18:02,219 then . 333 00:18:06,390 --> 00:18:08,849 But despite these historic clashes in 334 00:18:08,859 --> 00:18:11,660 Europe and the Middle East , the Indo 335 00:18:11,739 --> 00:18:13,829 Pacific has remained our priority 336 00:18:13,839 --> 00:18:17,569 theater of operations because 337 00:18:17,589 --> 00:18:20,270 just as what happens in Europe and the 338 00:18:20,280 --> 00:18:22,336 Middle East matters to this region , 339 00:18:23,449 --> 00:18:25,616 the actions that we take together here 340 00:18:25,616 --> 00:18:27,910 will continue shaping the 21st century 341 00:18:28,280 --> 00:18:29,670 for the entire world 342 00:18:32,910 --> 00:18:35,369 in safeguarding the security and 343 00:18:35,380 --> 00:18:38,229 prosperity of this region remains the 344 00:18:38,239 --> 00:18:41,089 core organizing principle of us , 345 00:18:41,099 --> 00:18:42,599 national security policy . 346 00:18:45,020 --> 00:18:46,199 So let me be clear , 347 00:18:49,020 --> 00:18:52,739 the United States can be secure only if 348 00:18:52,750 --> 00:18:56,719 Asia is secure . And that's why the 349 00:18:56,729 --> 00:18:58,840 United States has long maintained our 350 00:18:58,840 --> 00:19:01,859 presence in this region . And that's 351 00:19:01,869 --> 00:19:05,239 why we continue to make investments 352 00:19:05,250 --> 00:19:07,306 necessary to meet our commitments to 353 00:19:07,306 --> 00:19:08,750 our allies and partners . 354 00:19:11,680 --> 00:19:14,770 Of course , this starts at home . 355 00:19:18,119 --> 00:19:20,341 United States military remains the most 356 00:19:20,341 --> 00:19:22,339 capable fighting force on earth 357 00:19:24,469 --> 00:19:27,729 with the support of Congress . This 358 00:19:27,739 --> 00:19:29,683 administration has delivered major 359 00:19:29,683 --> 00:19:31,961 funding every year to keep it that way . 360 00:19:33,699 --> 00:19:35,588 And we've consistently linked our 361 00:19:35,588 --> 00:19:38,650 investments to our strategy . And I am 362 00:19:38,660 --> 00:19:40,827 proud that over the past three years , 363 00:19:40,827 --> 00:19:42,993 the United States has devoted historic 364 00:19:42,993 --> 00:19:44,630 amounts of resources towards 365 00:19:44,689 --> 00:19:46,900 maintaining peace , stability and 366 00:19:46,910 --> 00:19:48,743 deterrence in the Indo Pacific . 367 00:19:52,439 --> 00:19:54,328 Over the past three years , we've 368 00:19:54,328 --> 00:19:57,180 worked together with our friends to 369 00:19:57,189 --> 00:19:59,949 make this region more stable 370 00:20:01,069 --> 00:20:04,020 or secure and more prosperous . 371 00:20:07,260 --> 00:20:10,479 So today , I wanna talk not just about 372 00:20:10,489 --> 00:20:12,800 the principles that we share , but also 373 00:20:12,810 --> 00:20:15,088 about the results that we've delivered . 374 00:20:17,239 --> 00:20:19,128 The department's national defense 375 00:20:19,128 --> 00:20:21,079 strategy , calls us alliances and 376 00:20:21,089 --> 00:20:24,040 partnerships , our greatest global 377 00:20:24,050 --> 00:20:27,819 strategic advantage . And 378 00:20:27,829 --> 00:20:30,530 today , that's truer than ever . 379 00:20:33,579 --> 00:20:35,579 So together with our friends in the 380 00:20:35,579 --> 00:20:38,680 region , we're breaking down national 381 00:20:38,689 --> 00:20:42,229 barriers and better integrating our 382 00:20:42,239 --> 00:20:43,729 defense industries 383 00:20:47,280 --> 00:20:51,010 with Japan . We're developing a glide 384 00:20:51,020 --> 00:20:53,489 face interceptor , the counter 385 00:20:53,500 --> 00:20:54,810 hypersonic threats 386 00:20:57,839 --> 00:21:00,400 with India . We've made historic 387 00:21:00,410 --> 00:21:02,819 progress on co producing fighter jet 388 00:21:02,829 --> 00:21:04,440 engines and armored vehicles 389 00:21:07,109 --> 00:21:09,900 across Southeast Asia . We're using new 390 00:21:09,910 --> 00:21:13,030 technology and training to uphold 391 00:21:13,040 --> 00:21:14,984 freedom of navigation in the South 392 00:21:14,984 --> 00:21:18,060 China Sea . And that includes working 393 00:21:18,069 --> 00:21:19,791 closely with our allies in the 394 00:21:19,791 --> 00:21:22,359 Philippines to field maritime defensive 395 00:21:22,369 --> 00:21:26,369 capabilities and expanding 396 00:21:26,380 --> 00:21:28,436 maritime domain awareness across the 397 00:21:28,436 --> 00:21:32,300 region . And this spring , 398 00:21:32,310 --> 00:21:34,579 President Biden secured unprecedented 399 00:21:34,589 --> 00:21:37,130 funding for foreign military financing 400 00:21:37,140 --> 00:21:40,949 in the in , in the Indo Pacific . We're 401 00:21:40,959 --> 00:21:43,015 moving quickly to get those funds to 402 00:21:43,015 --> 00:21:46,880 our partners . The recently 403 00:21:46,890 --> 00:21:49,150 passed national security supplemental 404 00:21:49,959 --> 00:21:52,126 also included major investments in our 405 00:21:52,126 --> 00:21:54,479 submarine industrial base to help 406 00:21:54,489 --> 00:21:56,489 strengthen our Aus partnership with 407 00:21:56,489 --> 00:21:58,609 Australia and the United Kingdom . 408 00:22:02,390 --> 00:22:04,680 We're also working together to fortify 409 00:22:04,689 --> 00:22:07,689 the shared capacity of the defense 410 00:22:07,699 --> 00:22:09,643 industrial bases of our allies and 411 00:22:09,643 --> 00:22:10,319 partners . 412 00:22:13,469 --> 00:22:15,339 And that's why so many countries 413 00:22:15,770 --> 00:22:17,548 including the United States are 414 00:22:17,548 --> 00:22:19,770 endorsing a statement of principles 415 00:22:19,780 --> 00:22:22,280 today to strengthen the resilience of 416 00:22:22,290 --> 00:22:24,489 the region's defense industrial base . 417 00:22:26,819 --> 00:22:30,670 And so we are operating with our allies 418 00:22:30,680 --> 00:22:34,280 and partners like never before 419 00:22:38,469 --> 00:22:40,790 in that part of the new convergence 420 00:22:41,630 --> 00:22:43,489 means more interoperability , 421 00:22:45,619 --> 00:22:49,219 more advanced capabilities and more 422 00:22:49,229 --> 00:22:49,979 security 423 00:22:53,660 --> 00:22:55,827 with Japan and the Republic of Korea . 424 00:22:55,827 --> 00:22:58,079 We have created a multiyear trilateral 425 00:22:58,089 --> 00:23:02,089 exercise plan . This highlight 426 00:23:02,099 --> 00:23:04,550 is a new named exercise that will allow 427 00:23:04,560 --> 00:23:06,890 our countries to train together in 428 00:23:06,900 --> 00:23:08,239 unprecedented ways 429 00:23:11,010 --> 00:23:12,954 with the Philippines , Australia , 430 00:23:12,954 --> 00:23:15,066 France and more than a dozen observer 431 00:23:15,066 --> 00:23:17,420 countries . We just concluded the 432 00:23:17,430 --> 00:23:19,660 biggest Balaton exercise . Yet 433 00:23:21,900 --> 00:23:25,030 we're also making huge strides and two 434 00:23:25,040 --> 00:23:27,640 other major multinational exercises , 435 00:23:29,209 --> 00:23:32,270 Super Garuda Shield in Indonesia 436 00:23:33,189 --> 00:23:34,890 and Krga in Thailand , 437 00:23:37,140 --> 00:23:39,420 both now have higher participation 438 00:23:39,430 --> 00:23:42,550 levels than before the pandemic and 439 00:23:42,560 --> 00:23:45,119 they're both getting larger and more 440 00:23:45,130 --> 00:23:45,849 complex . 441 00:23:50,349 --> 00:23:53,530 We've also secured a series of historic 442 00:23:53,540 --> 00:23:55,762 agreements with our allies and partners 443 00:23:55,762 --> 00:23:58,199 to transform our Force Posture 444 00:23:58,209 --> 00:24:01,599 throughout the Indo Pacific with 445 00:24:01,609 --> 00:24:04,550 Japan . We're ford stationing the most 446 00:24:04,560 --> 00:24:06,782 advanced formation in the United States 447 00:24:06,782 --> 00:24:09,949 Marine Corps with the Philippines . 448 00:24:09,959 --> 00:24:13,290 We're expanding us rotational access to 449 00:24:13,300 --> 00:24:15,300 four new sites through our enhanced 450 00:24:15,300 --> 00:24:17,022 defense co-operation agreement 451 00:24:19,209 --> 00:24:22,589 with Papua New Guinea . We finalized an 452 00:24:22,599 --> 00:24:24,821 historic defense co-operation agreement 453 00:24:24,821 --> 00:24:28,390 last year and with 454 00:24:28,400 --> 00:24:32,290 Australia , we're moving out on major 455 00:24:32,300 --> 00:24:34,880 Posture initiatives in every domain 456 00:24:37,140 --> 00:24:40,719 and so these agreements are historic 457 00:24:42,689 --> 00:24:44,800 and they're just the starting point . 458 00:24:45,380 --> 00:24:47,229 We are on the verge of even more 459 00:24:47,239 --> 00:24:49,239 powerful changes to our posture and 460 00:24:49,239 --> 00:24:50,961 presence in the Indo Pacific . 461 00:24:53,869 --> 00:24:57,449 These changes rest on new and future 462 00:24:57,459 --> 00:25:00,199 arrangements among our Indo Pacific 463 00:25:00,209 --> 00:25:03,060 allies and partners as well as with our 464 00:25:03,069 --> 00:25:07,069 European partners . And you can see 465 00:25:07,079 --> 00:25:09,750 this growing trend in the new 466 00:25:09,760 --> 00:25:12,150 reciprocal access arrangement between 467 00:25:12,160 --> 00:25:16,030 Japan and Australia . And it's 468 00:25:16,040 --> 00:25:19,060 creating unprecedented opportunities 469 00:25:21,640 --> 00:25:24,140 as these efforts mature , they will 470 00:25:24,150 --> 00:25:26,739 mean more seamless combined operations 471 00:25:26,750 --> 00:25:28,083 throughout the region . 472 00:25:31,099 --> 00:25:34,550 And the new convergence of overlapping 473 00:25:34,560 --> 00:25:36,569 and mutually reinforcing security 474 00:25:36,579 --> 00:25:39,599 institutions will amplify these 475 00:25:39,609 --> 00:25:40,400 activities 476 00:25:44,130 --> 00:25:46,699 with Tokyo and Seoul . We'll share , 477 00:25:46,709 --> 00:25:49,910 we're sharing early warning uh data on 478 00:25:49,920 --> 00:25:52,790 North Korean missiles in real time . 479 00:25:55,439 --> 00:25:57,495 We're advancing our partnership with 480 00:25:57,495 --> 00:25:59,272 Australia and Japan on an on an 481 00:25:59,272 --> 00:26:01,250 integrated air and missile defense 482 00:26:01,260 --> 00:26:05,099 architecture with the 483 00:26:05,109 --> 00:26:07,199 quad . We're helping our partners 484 00:26:07,209 --> 00:26:09,849 sharpen their operational picture of 485 00:26:09,859 --> 00:26:13,849 their exclusive economic zones through 486 00:26:13,859 --> 00:26:15,692 the Indo Pacific Partnership for 487 00:26:15,692 --> 00:26:17,248 Maritime Domain Awareness . 488 00:26:20,510 --> 00:26:23,770 We're also investing with ASEAN 489 00:26:24,930 --> 00:26:26,541 and training and educational 490 00:26:26,541 --> 00:26:28,597 opportunities for the future defense 491 00:26:28,597 --> 00:26:31,040 leaders of Southeast Asia . 492 00:26:35,599 --> 00:26:39,270 So together this new 493 00:26:40,010 --> 00:26:43,949 convergence has helped us make historic 494 00:26:43,959 --> 00:26:45,792 progress in the past three years 495 00:26:48,050 --> 00:26:51,069 and we've strengthened stability on the 496 00:26:51,079 --> 00:26:54,719 Korean Peninsula . We supported the 497 00:26:54,729 --> 00:26:58,390 status quo across the Taiwan Strait and 498 00:26:58,400 --> 00:27:00,567 we stood up for the rule of law in the 499 00:27:00,567 --> 00:27:01,567 South China Sea . 500 00:27:04,859 --> 00:27:07,040 Now sustaining this progress will take 501 00:27:07,050 --> 00:27:10,369 teamwork , it will take 502 00:27:10,380 --> 00:27:13,290 resolve and it will take leadership . 503 00:27:16,689 --> 00:27:18,911 I mean , the kind of leadership that we 504 00:27:18,911 --> 00:27:21,290 saw at Camp David last year when 505 00:27:21,300 --> 00:27:23,550 President Biden Prime Minister Kushida 506 00:27:24,130 --> 00:27:26,239 and President Yon began a new era of 507 00:27:26,250 --> 00:27:28,472 trilateral partnership among the United 508 00:27:28,472 --> 00:27:30,589 States , Japan and the rok , 509 00:27:34,689 --> 00:27:37,109 the kind of leadership that we saw from 510 00:27:37,119 --> 00:27:41,050 Indonesia in Vietnam and Malaysia 511 00:27:41,729 --> 00:27:44,209 when they resolve long-standing 512 00:27:44,219 --> 00:27:46,069 maritime boundary disputes 513 00:27:49,329 --> 00:27:52,589 and the kind of leadership that we've 514 00:27:52,599 --> 00:27:56,449 seen from President Marcos who spoke so 515 00:27:56,459 --> 00:27:59,209 powerfully last night about how the 516 00:27:59,219 --> 00:28:01,163 Philippines is standing up for its 517 00:28:01,163 --> 00:28:03,219 sovereign rights under international 518 00:28:03,219 --> 00:28:07,209 law . And 519 00:28:07,219 --> 00:28:11,060 so that's why my belief in 520 00:28:11,069 --> 00:28:14,239 the power of partnership has never 521 00:28:14,250 --> 00:28:17,750 wavered . In fact , my belief has only 522 00:28:17,760 --> 00:28:20,790 grown after 41 years in uniform and 523 00:28:20,800 --> 00:28:22,800 more than 3.5 years as Secretary of 524 00:28:22,800 --> 00:28:23,430 Defense , 525 00:28:27,280 --> 00:28:29,280 ladies and gentlemen , the progress 526 00:28:29,280 --> 00:28:32,390 that we've made together , it is built 527 00:28:32,400 --> 00:28:36,140 to last not just for the next year , 528 00:28:36,599 --> 00:28:38,670 but for the next decade and beyond . 529 00:28:40,209 --> 00:28:42,209 And America will continue to play a 530 00:28:42,209 --> 00:28:45,400 vital role in the Indo Pacific together 531 00:28:45,410 --> 00:28:49,319 with our friends across the region that 532 00:28:49,329 --> 00:28:49,959 we share 533 00:28:53,209 --> 00:28:56,400 and the United States across the United 534 00:28:56,410 --> 00:29:00,089 States government across our political 535 00:29:00,099 --> 00:29:03,729 landscape . You'll find a strong and 536 00:29:03,739 --> 00:29:05,628 bipartisan commitment to the Indo 537 00:29:05,628 --> 00:29:06,628 Pacific . 538 00:29:09,770 --> 00:29:12,890 Now , critics and propagandists will 539 00:29:12,900 --> 00:29:14,780 still oppose the principle 540 00:29:16,430 --> 00:29:18,689 principles that drive convergence . 541 00:29:20,660 --> 00:29:22,771 They will continue to reject the rule 542 00:29:22,771 --> 00:29:25,969 of law and they will try to impose 543 00:29:25,979 --> 00:29:29,079 their will through coercion and 544 00:29:29,089 --> 00:29:33,069 aggression . But the Indo Pacific's 545 00:29:33,079 --> 00:29:36,420 new convergence points to a better 546 00:29:36,430 --> 00:29:40,020 future for all of our countries . That 547 00:29:40,030 --> 00:29:42,359 means a future of fresh and growing 548 00:29:42,369 --> 00:29:46,219 partnerships , a future where long 549 00:29:46,239 --> 00:29:48,560 standing friendships grow into even 550 00:29:48,569 --> 00:29:50,513 deeper forms of cooper operation , 551 00:29:53,500 --> 00:29:57,229 a future where every country can defend 552 00:29:57,239 --> 00:30:01,030 itself and the 553 00:30:01,040 --> 00:30:04,939 future where like minded countries are 554 00:30:04,949 --> 00:30:08,780 more connected than ever . Now , 555 00:30:08,790 --> 00:30:10,679 that's the future that all of our 556 00:30:10,679 --> 00:30:14,540 people deserve and together we're 557 00:30:14,550 --> 00:30:17,300 making it real together . We're 558 00:30:17,310 --> 00:30:19,254 investing in the capabilities that 559 00:30:19,254 --> 00:30:21,469 promote lasting security and stability 560 00:30:22,709 --> 00:30:25,000 and together , we're ensuring that the 561 00:30:25,010 --> 00:30:28,119 Indo Pacific will remain open and free . 562 00:30:33,500 --> 00:30:35,800 And so I am more determined than ever 563 00:30:37,189 --> 00:30:40,410 to build on these historic results of 564 00:30:40,420 --> 00:30:44,069 the past three years . I am more proud 565 00:30:44,079 --> 00:30:46,719 than ever of what we have achieved 566 00:30:46,729 --> 00:30:50,699 together and I am more 567 00:30:50,709 --> 00:30:54,290 optimistic than ever about . What about 568 00:30:54,300 --> 00:30:57,880 what lies ahead ? Thank you very much , 569 00:31:07,949 --> 00:31:10,116 Secretary Austin . Thank you very much 570 00:31:10,116 --> 00:31:12,338 for those , for those remarks . I think 571 00:31:12,338 --> 00:31:14,560 you made a very interesting point about 572 00:31:14,560 --> 00:31:16,560 the evolution from a hub and spokes 573 00:31:16,560 --> 00:31:19,609 model to the convergence of overlapping 574 00:31:19,619 --> 00:31:21,397 initiatives that you , that you 575 00:31:21,397 --> 00:31:23,563 explained in your remarks , the common 576 00:31:23,563 --> 00:31:25,508 purpose that you see around shared 577 00:31:25,508 --> 00:31:27,589 interest and values . You gave us 578 00:31:27,599 --> 00:31:29,969 important examples of progress that has 579 00:31:29,979 --> 00:31:31,868 been made around exercises around 580 00:31:31,868 --> 00:31:34,201 military to military contacts , defense , 581 00:31:34,201 --> 00:31:36,312 industrial resilience . You mentioned 582 00:31:36,312 --> 00:31:38,423 posture changes you mentioned and you 583 00:31:38,423 --> 00:31:40,829 spoke at the end there about fresh and 584 00:31:40,839 --> 00:31:44,209 growing partnerships for that common 585 00:31:44,219 --> 00:31:46,760 purpose . So all those points to pick 586 00:31:46,770 --> 00:31:48,750 up on , we will now have a few 587 00:31:48,760 --> 00:31:50,482 questions . We will take a few 588 00:31:50,482 --> 00:31:52,704 individual questions and we might start 589 00:31:52,704 --> 00:31:54,816 grouping a few of them together . The 590 00:31:54,816 --> 00:31:58,229 list is getting longer by the second , 591 00:31:58,760 --> 00:32:01,270 the first person I would like to , it's 592 00:32:01,280 --> 00:32:02,502 a good time to stop . 593 00:32:05,130 --> 00:32:07,352 We've got a , we've got a bit of time . 594 00:32:07,352 --> 00:32:09,463 Um So the first one I'd like to , I'd 595 00:32:09,463 --> 00:32:12,069 like to ask uh is uh uh Trisha Ray from 596 00:32:12,079 --> 00:32:14,229 India and from the uh Young leaders 597 00:32:14,239 --> 00:32:16,350 program , Trisha , your microphone is 598 00:32:16,350 --> 00:32:20,180 live . Thank you uh Treasury 599 00:32:20,189 --> 00:32:22,689 from the Atlantic Council Secretary 600 00:32:22,699 --> 00:32:25,109 Austin . My question for you is uh is 601 00:32:25,119 --> 00:32:27,420 there enough momentum in the US S Indo 602 00:32:27,550 --> 00:32:30,469 Pacific strategy and the network of 603 00:32:30,479 --> 00:32:32,469 complementary and overlapping 604 00:32:32,479 --> 00:32:34,589 institutions , as you mentioned to 605 00:32:34,599 --> 00:32:37,829 ensure continuity , irrespective of the 606 00:32:37,839 --> 00:32:39,750 results of the US election . 607 00:32:42,689 --> 00:32:44,869 Uh I think there is significant uh 608 00:32:44,880 --> 00:32:48,760 momentum . I think uh a good 609 00:32:48,770 --> 00:32:50,770 example is the relationship that we 610 00:32:50,770 --> 00:32:53,719 enjoy with India right now is as good 611 00:32:53,729 --> 00:32:55,989 as or better than our relationship has 612 00:32:56,000 --> 00:32:59,530 ever been . It's really strong , you 613 00:32:59,540 --> 00:33:01,959 know , several years ago , we set out 614 00:33:01,969 --> 00:33:05,680 with a um notion to 615 00:33:06,119 --> 00:33:09,660 gain approval for India 616 00:33:09,670 --> 00:33:13,479 to build um jet engines 617 00:33:13,489 --> 00:33:17,219 for fighter aircraft in India . 618 00:33:19,280 --> 00:33:21,829 I I served on a , on a board of a 619 00:33:21,939 --> 00:33:24,930 company that makes fighter uh makes uh 620 00:33:25,119 --> 00:33:27,286 jet engines for fighter aircraft and I 621 00:33:27,286 --> 00:33:30,020 know how difficult this was going to be 622 00:33:30,739 --> 00:33:33,589 and we were hopeful but very skeptical 623 00:33:33,599 --> 00:33:35,488 that we could get this across the 624 00:33:35,488 --> 00:33:37,969 finish line . We did it . That's 625 00:33:37,979 --> 00:33:41,540 happening . As I said in my speech , 626 00:33:41,550 --> 00:33:45,310 we're co producing armored vehicles uh 627 00:33:45,339 --> 00:33:49,300 with uh with India . So the the 628 00:33:49,310 --> 00:33:53,099 anchors of our progress are sunk pretty 629 00:33:53,109 --> 00:33:56,739 deep throughout the region and they're 630 00:33:56,750 --> 00:33:59,660 based on common , a common vision and 631 00:33:59,670 --> 00:34:03,430 common values . And so I 632 00:34:03,439 --> 00:34:06,969 believe that the momentum that we see 633 00:34:07,359 --> 00:34:09,389 is gonna not only continue but it's 634 00:34:09,399 --> 00:34:11,689 gonna , that flywheel is gonna pick up 635 00:34:11,699 --> 00:34:14,879 speed because this benefits us all . 636 00:34:15,678 --> 00:34:17,789 But to answer your question . Yes , I 637 00:34:17,789 --> 00:34:20,979 do think that um it uh 638 00:34:22,129 --> 00:34:25,449 you know , this will be lasting . You 639 00:34:25,459 --> 00:34:27,681 didn't ask me about who I thought would 640 00:34:27,681 --> 00:34:29,792 win the election , but I , I would be 641 00:34:29,792 --> 00:34:31,903 willing to share that with you . So , 642 00:34:32,310 --> 00:34:34,366 thank you very much , Secretary . Uh 643 00:34:34,366 --> 00:34:37,580 The next question from South Korea 644 00:34:37,590 --> 00:34:40,908 Chung Min Lee Mr Secretary . Thank you 645 00:34:40,918 --> 00:34:43,378 for your wonderful speech . The US has 646 00:34:43,388 --> 00:34:45,555 always said that the rok is a linchpin 647 00:34:45,555 --> 00:34:48,009 of Asian policy and security in the 648 00:34:48,019 --> 00:34:51,649 region . And yet , unlike August , 649 00:34:51,969 --> 00:34:54,590 the US has been quite lukewarm to South 650 00:34:54,600 --> 00:34:57,090 Korea's desire to have nuclear powered 651 00:34:57,100 --> 00:34:59,969 submarines . So my question to you sir 652 00:34:59,979 --> 00:35:02,010 is if the South Korean government 653 00:35:02,409 --> 00:35:05,290 officially asks Washington for its 654 00:35:05,300 --> 00:35:08,139 support in building nuclear powered 655 00:35:08,149 --> 00:35:10,629 submarines for the Navy , would you 656 00:35:10,639 --> 00:35:12,917 support such an initiative ? Thank you . 657 00:35:14,620 --> 00:35:17,020 Well , I I would tell you that uh and I 658 00:35:17,030 --> 00:35:19,209 see uh Deputy Prime Minister Mall 659 00:35:19,219 --> 00:35:21,330 sitting right in front of you there . 660 00:35:21,330 --> 00:35:23,459 But uh the initiative that uh we've 661 00:35:23,469 --> 00:35:26,719 taken on with uh Australia and the UK 662 00:35:27,399 --> 00:35:30,570 uh is uh is one that will provide 663 00:35:31,110 --> 00:35:33,250 stability and security , assist in 664 00:35:33,260 --> 00:35:35,316 providing stability and security for 665 00:35:35,316 --> 00:35:37,629 the region for decades to come . This 666 00:35:37,639 --> 00:35:40,250 is a generational investment , this is 667 00:35:40,260 --> 00:35:42,469 no small endeavor . It is very , very 668 00:35:42,479 --> 00:35:44,590 difficult to go through each piece of 669 00:35:44,590 --> 00:35:48,419 this . Uh And so uh we are 670 00:35:48,810 --> 00:35:50,866 uh we've just started down this path 671 00:35:50,866 --> 00:35:53,620 with Australia , uh highly doubtful 672 00:35:53,629 --> 00:35:55,629 that uh we could , we could take on 673 00:35:55,629 --> 00:35:58,050 another initiative of this type uh uh 674 00:35:58,060 --> 00:36:02,040 anytime in the near future . Uh But I 675 00:36:02,050 --> 00:36:04,217 would also point out and you mentioned 676 00:36:04,217 --> 00:36:07,030 this earlier , what a strong ally , uh 677 00:36:07,040 --> 00:36:10,280 The Rok is for us . Uh And the fact 678 00:36:10,290 --> 00:36:12,989 that , uh , that , you know , we have 679 00:36:13,000 --> 00:36:14,833 depended on each other and we'll 680 00:36:14,833 --> 00:36:17,056 continue to depend on each other uh for 681 00:36:17,056 --> 00:36:19,739 the foreseeable future . And we're 682 00:36:19,750 --> 00:36:21,750 seeing so many positive things in a 683 00:36:21,750 --> 00:36:25,419 region . Um The relationship , the 684 00:36:25,429 --> 00:36:29,310 improving relationship between Japan , 685 00:36:29,320 --> 00:36:32,000 the Rok and the U SI mean , this 686 00:36:32,010 --> 00:36:34,659 trilateral relationship is where it has 687 00:36:34,669 --> 00:36:37,050 it in my view has never been in the , 688 00:36:37,060 --> 00:36:40,360 in the recent past . So um 689 00:36:41,080 --> 00:36:43,239 it's , you know , taking on that kind 690 00:36:43,250 --> 00:36:45,459 of endeavor uh on top of what we're 691 00:36:45,469 --> 00:36:47,469 working through right now , I think 692 00:36:47,469 --> 00:36:49,247 would be , would be very , very 693 00:36:49,247 --> 00:36:51,850 difficult for us . Thank you very much . 694 00:36:51,860 --> 00:36:54,939 I'll turn to uh uh from Vietnam . Uh 695 00:36:54,949 --> 00:36:58,370 Big Trump , please . Thank you , chair 696 00:36:58,560 --> 00:37:00,679 uh secretary . You mentioned the Indo 697 00:37:00,860 --> 00:37:03,082 Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain 698 00:37:03,082 --> 00:37:05,530 Venice . Uh So the program has 699 00:37:05,540 --> 00:37:09,179 delivered uh radio frequency data to 700 00:37:09,189 --> 00:37:11,780 regional maritime agencies . So this 701 00:37:11,790 --> 00:37:14,899 sounds very similar to what the US has 702 00:37:14,909 --> 00:37:18,004 already doing with C vision , the 703 00:37:18,014 --> 00:37:20,435 online platforms . So my question is 704 00:37:20,445 --> 00:37:24,415 that how , how does A P MD a 705 00:37:24,425 --> 00:37:27,465 different differentiate itself from 706 00:37:27,475 --> 00:37:29,945 existing initiative and how we in 707 00:37:29,955 --> 00:37:32,445 involved to remain responsive to 708 00:37:32,455 --> 00:37:34,344 maritime challenges ? Thank you . 709 00:37:37,010 --> 00:37:39,288 I , I think I missed the question here . 710 00:37:39,288 --> 00:37:41,343 So could you , could you just repeat 711 00:37:41,343 --> 00:37:43,566 the question ? Uh Yes . So I would like 712 00:37:43,566 --> 00:37:46,550 to , to know your thought on how the 713 00:37:46,560 --> 00:37:48,830 Indo Pacific Partnership for Domain 714 00:37:48,840 --> 00:37:51,959 Awareness different from existing 715 00:37:51,969 --> 00:37:54,469 initiative . Because what it has been 716 00:37:54,479 --> 00:37:56,949 doing is very similar to the Sea Vision 717 00:37:57,090 --> 00:37:59,810 platform and how it will involve . 718 00:38:00,979 --> 00:38:02,870 Thank you , the there are some 719 00:38:02,879 --> 00:38:05,050 similarities in uh in current 720 00:38:05,060 --> 00:38:07,139 capabilities . But the idea here is 721 00:38:07,149 --> 00:38:10,639 that uh we work together to 722 00:38:10,649 --> 00:38:13,100 increase capabilities uh going forward 723 00:38:13,110 --> 00:38:15,800 and we use that mechanism to do that . 724 00:38:16,270 --> 00:38:18,770 Uh And this is not focused just on one 725 00:38:18,780 --> 00:38:22,209 particular uh element of technology . 726 00:38:22,820 --> 00:38:25,042 Uh This is focused eventually on a full 727 00:38:25,042 --> 00:38:27,239 range of the possibilities that uh we 728 00:38:27,250 --> 00:38:30,000 can bring together . Uh And , and the 729 00:38:30,010 --> 00:38:32,177 more the merrier , quite frankly , the 730 00:38:32,177 --> 00:38:34,343 more that we can share this with other 731 00:38:34,343 --> 00:38:36,566 countries in the region , uh the better 732 00:38:36,566 --> 00:38:39,560 it is for all of us . So this is we're 733 00:38:39,570 --> 00:38:42,770 off to a great start . Uh And uh and I 734 00:38:42,780 --> 00:38:45,330 think we have uh a lot of opportunities 735 00:38:45,340 --> 00:38:47,284 to continue to build on this going 736 00:38:47,284 --> 00:38:49,451 forward and we're gonna do just that . 737 00:38:49,451 --> 00:38:52,510 Thank you very much and we have from 738 00:38:52,520 --> 00:38:56,149 the US and CNN Ivan Watson , 739 00:38:59,320 --> 00:39:02,750 Ivan , your microphone is life . Thank 740 00:39:02,760 --> 00:39:04,871 you , Secretary Austin . Last night , 741 00:39:04,871 --> 00:39:06,816 the Philippine president was asked 742 00:39:06,820 --> 00:39:09,610 about the ongoing sparring going on the 743 00:39:09,620 --> 00:39:12,879 South China Sea between the Philippines 744 00:39:12,889 --> 00:39:15,290 and China . And about the potential 745 00:39:15,300 --> 00:39:18,489 scenario of a Filipino citizen or 746 00:39:18,500 --> 00:39:22,139 service member being killed . He said 747 00:39:22,149 --> 00:39:24,879 that would cross the Rubicon , it would 748 00:39:24,889 --> 00:39:28,389 be interpreted as an act of war and he 749 00:39:28,399 --> 00:39:31,629 anticipated that treaty , allies would 750 00:39:31,639 --> 00:39:34,699 hold that to the same standard . How 751 00:39:34,709 --> 00:39:36,760 would you interpret that type of 752 00:39:36,770 --> 00:39:39,620 scenario ? Would the US government 753 00:39:39,959 --> 00:39:43,540 interpret a death at sea as an act of 754 00:39:43,550 --> 00:39:47,149 war ? And would that invoke a mutual 755 00:39:47,159 --> 00:39:48,159 defense treaty ? 756 00:39:51,830 --> 00:39:55,199 Let me begin by saying that our 757 00:39:55,209 --> 00:39:57,679 commitment to the mutual defense treaty 758 00:39:57,689 --> 00:40:01,479 is ironclad , no questions , no 759 00:40:01,489 --> 00:40:05,370 exceptions . Ironclad . I 760 00:40:05,379 --> 00:40:09,300 won't , uh , I won't speculate 761 00:40:09,310 --> 00:40:11,919 on any hypothetical situation . 762 00:40:13,080 --> 00:40:16,560 What I would say though is that what we 763 00:40:16,570 --> 00:40:18,792 are doing ? And what we continue to try 764 00:40:18,792 --> 00:40:21,014 to do is to make sure that that doesn't 765 00:40:21,014 --> 00:40:23,479 happen . And by increasing dialogue 766 00:40:23,489 --> 00:40:26,120 between uh you know , major powers and , 767 00:40:26,399 --> 00:40:28,530 and uh making sure that countries are 768 00:40:28,540 --> 00:40:31,399 working together to promote uh freedom 769 00:40:31,409 --> 00:40:33,576 of the seas and freedom of the skies . 770 00:40:33,840 --> 00:40:37,260 Uh that will narrow the possibility 771 00:40:37,270 --> 00:40:40,139 that this , this happens . There's , 772 00:40:40,149 --> 00:40:42,260 there are a number of things that can 773 00:40:42,260 --> 00:40:44,093 happen at sea or in the air . We 774 00:40:44,093 --> 00:40:46,389 recognize that , but our goal is to 775 00:40:46,399 --> 00:40:49,129 make sure that we don't allow things to 776 00:40:49,139 --> 00:40:51,320 spiral out of control unnecessarily . 777 00:40:51,409 --> 00:40:53,639 And again , I will not speculate on , 778 00:40:53,719 --> 00:40:56,669 on any one thing or another . I will 779 00:40:56,679 --> 00:40:59,129 continue to emphasize that our 780 00:40:59,139 --> 00:41:01,361 commitment to the mutual defense treaty 781 00:41:01,969 --> 00:41:05,100 is iron clad . Thank you very much . 782 00:41:05,110 --> 00:41:07,370 And we have a question from uh China uh 783 00:41:07,379 --> 00:41:10,649 Senior Colonel Yan Chong Ko , please . 784 00:41:14,389 --> 00:41:18,340 Thank you , host Mr Secretary of 785 00:41:18,350 --> 00:41:21,729 Defense . As we know the United 786 00:41:21,739 --> 00:41:24,860 States has the largest uh alliance 787 00:41:24,870 --> 00:41:28,300 system in the world including NATO 788 00:41:29,010 --> 00:41:32,530 and is pushing for further integration 789 00:41:32,540 --> 00:41:36,290 of its allies in the Asia Pacific 790 00:41:36,300 --> 00:41:40,300 region . My question is , is the 791 00:41:40,310 --> 00:41:43,350 United States planning to build a no 792 00:41:43,370 --> 00:41:46,989 like alliance system in 793 00:41:47,000 --> 00:41:49,229 the Asia Pacific region ? 794 00:41:51,469 --> 00:41:55,010 The east border expression of NATO 795 00:41:55,889 --> 00:41:58,669 has lead to the Ukraine crisis . 796 00:42:00,669 --> 00:42:03,610 What implications do you think 797 00:42:04,709 --> 00:42:08,280 the strengthening of the US alliances 798 00:42:08,290 --> 00:42:11,870 system in the Asia Pacific will have 799 00:42:11,879 --> 00:42:15,449 on this region's security and 800 00:42:15,459 --> 00:42:18,629 stability ? Thank you . Thank you very 801 00:42:18,639 --> 00:42:22,500 much , Secretary . Um I 802 00:42:22,669 --> 00:42:25,129 respectfully disagree with your point 803 00:42:25,139 --> 00:42:28,939 that the expansion of NATO 804 00:42:29,699 --> 00:42:32,120 uh cause the Ukraine crisis . 805 00:42:33,709 --> 00:42:35,149 The Ukraine crisis was 806 00:42:46,800 --> 00:42:48,830 Ukraine crisis obviously was caused 807 00:42:48,840 --> 00:42:52,429 because Mr Putin made a decision 808 00:42:52,439 --> 00:42:56,340 to unlawfully invade his 809 00:42:56,350 --> 00:42:59,659 neighbor who had an inferior 810 00:42:59,669 --> 00:43:02,669 military at that point in time , 811 00:43:03,760 --> 00:43:05,593 he assumed that he could uh very 812 00:43:05,593 --> 00:43:09,260 quickly roll over uh his neighbor and 813 00:43:09,270 --> 00:43:13,080 annex the country that was two plus 814 00:43:13,090 --> 00:43:13,780 years ago . 815 00:43:17,270 --> 00:43:19,489 He has not achieved any of his 816 00:43:19,500 --> 00:43:21,556 strategic objectives to this point , 817 00:43:23,699 --> 00:43:25,977 but this was brought on because of the , 818 00:43:25,977 --> 00:43:28,510 of a decision made by Mr Putin as to 819 00:43:28,520 --> 00:43:30,742 whether or not we're trying to create a 820 00:43:30,742 --> 00:43:33,919 NATO in the Indo Pacific . I would tell 821 00:43:33,929 --> 00:43:36,590 you that what we're doing is what I 822 00:43:36,600 --> 00:43:38,459 said earlier in the speech , 823 00:43:40,780 --> 00:43:44,699 countries of like minded countries 824 00:43:44,709 --> 00:43:47,590 with similar values and a and AAA 825 00:43:47,889 --> 00:43:50,469 common vision of a free and open Indo 826 00:43:50,530 --> 00:43:53,860 Pacific are working together to 827 00:43:54,030 --> 00:43:57,540 achieve that vision and 828 00:43:58,689 --> 00:44:00,800 we've strengthened relationships with 829 00:44:00,800 --> 00:44:03,159 uh our allies and partners and we see 830 00:44:03,169 --> 00:44:04,790 other countries strengthen , 831 00:44:04,800 --> 00:44:06,911 strengthening their relationship with 832 00:44:06,911 --> 00:44:09,020 each other in the region . This is 833 00:44:09,030 --> 00:44:11,719 goodness , but it's because they have a 834 00:44:11,729 --> 00:44:15,030 common vision and common values 835 00:44:16,330 --> 00:44:18,441 and we will continue to do those kind 836 00:44:18,441 --> 00:44:21,770 of things going forward . Thank you . 837 00:44:22,060 --> 00:44:24,500 And uh from Malaysia and the Young 838 00:44:24,510 --> 00:44:27,340 Leaders Group uh Benedict Verina , 839 00:44:29,969 --> 00:44:32,100 thank you , Secretary Austin for the 840 00:44:32,110 --> 00:44:35,479 engaging and enlightening remarks . My 841 00:44:35,489 --> 00:44:38,020 question is on the point of convergence 842 00:44:38,030 --> 00:44:40,252 which you brought up to the end of your 843 00:44:40,252 --> 00:44:42,141 speech in a convergence is a very 844 00:44:42,141 --> 00:44:44,363 subjective principle . Indeed . So what 845 00:44:44,363 --> 00:44:46,229 is your view on the principle of 846 00:44:46,239 --> 00:44:49,199 convergence in a multipolar world with 847 00:44:49,209 --> 00:44:51,376 the rise of middle powers , especially 848 00:44:51,376 --> 00:44:53,600 in the Indo Pacific region , which 849 00:44:53,610 --> 00:44:55,777 seems in contestation with the idea of 850 00:44:55,777 --> 00:44:59,020 convergence under a unipolar world in 851 00:44:59,030 --> 00:45:01,086 the past three decades . Thank you . 852 00:45:02,370 --> 00:45:04,800 How strong is that , is that force of 853 00:45:04,810 --> 00:45:08,010 convergence while we see uh middle 854 00:45:08,020 --> 00:45:09,909 power is rising and becoming more 855 00:45:09,909 --> 00:45:13,750 assertive bags ? Uh II I 856 00:45:13,760 --> 00:45:17,129 think that this convergence is 857 00:45:17,139 --> 00:45:20,639 indeed it's very strong and , and it , 858 00:45:20,649 --> 00:45:23,760 and it , and it is driven not by 859 00:45:24,639 --> 00:45:28,560 a singular treaty , it's 860 00:45:28,570 --> 00:45:30,709 driven by a desire for countries like 861 00:45:30,729 --> 00:45:34,000 minded countries to work together to 862 00:45:34,010 --> 00:45:37,709 ensure that we maintain the vision of 863 00:45:37,719 --> 00:45:41,489 an open and free Indo Pacific and 864 00:45:41,500 --> 00:45:43,556 maintain a rules based international 865 00:45:43,556 --> 00:45:47,310 order . And I think because of 866 00:45:47,320 --> 00:45:50,699 that , we'll see the momentum 867 00:45:50,709 --> 00:45:54,250 increase in a very positive manner . 868 00:45:55,189 --> 00:45:58,050 But yes , I I do think uh there is 869 00:45:58,060 --> 00:46:01,250 there , this is uh this is a strong uh 870 00:46:01,260 --> 00:46:04,270 uh movement and I think uh again , it 871 00:46:04,280 --> 00:46:06,447 will occur over time . But in , in the 872 00:46:06,447 --> 00:46:09,199 last three years alone , all of the 873 00:46:09,209 --> 00:46:12,439 things that I described earlier have 874 00:46:12,449 --> 00:46:16,239 occurred in three years . I , I 875 00:46:16,250 --> 00:46:18,361 would say that's momentum and , and , 876 00:46:18,361 --> 00:46:20,528 and there will be other countries that 877 00:46:20,528 --> 00:46:22,528 uh that want to do other things and 878 00:46:22,528 --> 00:46:25,379 that's , that's clearly understood and , 879 00:46:25,389 --> 00:46:27,280 and as I said , there will be 880 00:46:29,550 --> 00:46:33,540 pundits and propaganda who have a 881 00:46:33,550 --> 00:46:35,717 different view and , and that's fine , 882 00:46:35,717 --> 00:46:38,590 we welcome that . But the fact of the 883 00:46:38,600 --> 00:46:42,379 matter is countries in this region 884 00:46:43,729 --> 00:46:47,139 really want to protect their , their 885 00:46:47,149 --> 00:46:49,469 fishing rights , their exclusive 886 00:46:49,479 --> 00:46:52,320 economic zones . Uh and they really 887 00:46:52,330 --> 00:46:55,639 wanna prosper and we want that for them 888 00:46:55,649 --> 00:46:57,929 as well . Their neighbors want that for 889 00:46:57,939 --> 00:47:00,389 them . So I , I think uh I think 890 00:47:00,399 --> 00:47:03,479 there's strength here . Uh Things won't 891 00:47:03,489 --> 00:47:05,711 necessarily occur overnight in a lot of 892 00:47:05,711 --> 00:47:07,822 cases . But again , in the last three 893 00:47:07,822 --> 00:47:09,767 years , we've seen some remarkable 894 00:47:09,767 --> 00:47:13,540 things . Oh , thank you . Uh 895 00:47:13,550 --> 00:47:16,489 from France , Celine Paon , please . 896 00:47:19,020 --> 00:47:21,570 Thank you . Thank you , Chair secretary . 897 00:47:22,169 --> 00:47:24,830 Thank you very much for your opening 898 00:47:24,840 --> 00:47:27,840 remarks . You rightfully underlined the 899 00:47:27,850 --> 00:47:30,183 importance of the strategic partnership . 900 00:47:30,183 --> 00:47:33,389 You referred to new and future 901 00:47:33,399 --> 00:47:36,510 arrangements with Indo Pacific partners 902 00:47:36,520 --> 00:47:39,120 and also European partners . So my 903 00:47:39,129 --> 00:47:40,685 question is , what are your 904 00:47:40,685 --> 00:47:43,139 expectations ? Vis a vis European 905 00:47:43,149 --> 00:47:45,500 partners and allies in the Indo Pacific 906 00:47:45,510 --> 00:47:49,370 Theater . Thank you . Well , I , 907 00:47:50,520 --> 00:47:52,742 I don't want to embarrass him by having 908 00:47:52,742 --> 00:47:54,742 them raise their hand , but I would 909 00:47:54,742 --> 00:47:56,742 tell you that there are a number of 910 00:47:56,742 --> 00:47:58,798 defense ministers from Europe in the 911 00:47:58,798 --> 00:48:02,270 room with us today and are not in the 912 00:48:02,280 --> 00:48:05,060 room because I invited them , they're 913 00:48:05,070 --> 00:48:06,903 in the room because they have an 914 00:48:06,903 --> 00:48:10,449 interest in this region . And , you 915 00:48:10,459 --> 00:48:12,348 know , as I , as I engage with my 916 00:48:12,348 --> 00:48:15,629 counterparts in Europe , uh I see 917 00:48:16,199 --> 00:48:19,350 an increasing uh interest to , to , you 918 00:48:19,360 --> 00:48:21,471 know , in the region and to make sure 919 00:48:21,471 --> 00:48:23,638 that uh things continue to move in the 920 00:48:23,638 --> 00:48:26,020 right direction . Uh Even , even though , 921 00:48:26,620 --> 00:48:28,342 um you know , there's a pretty 922 00:48:28,342 --> 00:48:30,453 significant challenge in Europe right 923 00:48:30,453 --> 00:48:33,290 now . Uh But I , I just have to tell 924 00:48:33,300 --> 00:48:36,149 you that I see that interest as 925 00:48:36,159 --> 00:48:38,040 increasing , going forward , not 926 00:48:38,050 --> 00:48:41,360 decreasing . Thank you very much . Um 927 00:48:41,370 --> 00:48:44,479 We'll take a question from New Zealand , 928 00:48:44,489 --> 00:48:46,270 Susanna Jessup , please . 929 00:48:48,669 --> 00:48:50,836 Secretary Austin . Thank you very much 930 00:48:50,836 --> 00:48:52,780 for your remarks . I wonder if you 931 00:48:52,780 --> 00:48:54,850 could detail efforts the US is 932 00:48:54,860 --> 00:48:58,209 undertaking to deescalating tensions in 933 00:48:58,219 --> 00:49:00,929 your dialogue and engagement with China . 934 00:49:01,600 --> 00:49:04,100 Are there any areas giving you hope 935 00:49:04,110 --> 00:49:06,510 that regional tensions are not 936 00:49:06,520 --> 00:49:08,610 eventually going to spill over into 937 00:49:08,620 --> 00:49:10,342 kinetic conflict ? Thank you . 938 00:49:12,429 --> 00:49:14,850 You , you're asking if I would detail 939 00:49:14,860 --> 00:49:17,929 my conversation with Minister Dong ? Is 940 00:49:17,969 --> 00:49:19,969 that what you , if you don't mind ? 941 00:49:22,489 --> 00:49:26,330 Um The short 942 00:49:26,340 --> 00:49:28,689 answer is no , but uh the , the , the 943 00:49:28,699 --> 00:49:30,921 reason for that is I , I certainly , we 944 00:49:30,921 --> 00:49:32,929 both want to make sure that that we 945 00:49:32,939 --> 00:49:36,530 maintain an open dialogue here . 946 00:49:37,000 --> 00:49:39,250 Uh The key piece here , the key , the 947 00:49:39,260 --> 00:49:42,639 key issue is that we're talking 948 00:49:44,199 --> 00:49:47,239 and as long as we're talking , were 949 00:49:47,250 --> 00:49:51,030 able to identify those issues that uh 950 00:49:51,580 --> 00:49:54,590 uh that are troublesome 951 00:49:55,550 --> 00:49:57,550 and that we wanna make sure that uh 952 00:49:57,550 --> 00:49:59,828 that we in place guard rails to ensure , 953 00:49:59,828 --> 00:50:01,939 to ensure that , you know , there are 954 00:50:01,939 --> 00:50:04,272 no misperceptions or no miscalculations . 955 00:50:04,272 --> 00:50:06,494 And you know , incidents can spiral out 956 00:50:06,494 --> 00:50:08,760 of control in a region . But you can 957 00:50:08,770 --> 00:50:10,770 only , you can only do that kind of 958 00:50:10,770 --> 00:50:12,770 thing if you are talking and you'll 959 00:50:12,770 --> 00:50:14,714 recall . You , you've heard me say 960 00:50:14,714 --> 00:50:18,000 every year at uh uh at this dialogue , 961 00:50:18,010 --> 00:50:20,177 you heard me talk about the importance 962 00:50:20,177 --> 00:50:22,659 of making sure that that communicate 963 00:50:22,669 --> 00:50:24,947 those communications channels are open . 964 00:50:26,360 --> 00:50:28,409 And I told Minister Dong that uh 965 00:50:30,110 --> 00:50:33,229 if he calls me in an urgent manner , I 966 00:50:33,239 --> 00:50:35,850 will answer the phone and I certainly 967 00:50:35,860 --> 00:50:38,699 hope that he'll do the same and it's 968 00:50:38,709 --> 00:50:40,820 that communication . And I think that 969 00:50:40,820 --> 00:50:42,876 that will help to keep things in the 970 00:50:42,876 --> 00:50:44,820 right place and , and help us move 971 00:50:44,820 --> 00:50:46,876 things towards greater stability and 972 00:50:46,876 --> 00:50:50,510 security in the region . But I , I know 973 00:50:50,520 --> 00:50:52,742 that you didn't expect for me to detail 974 00:50:52,742 --> 00:50:55,020 my conversation with with anyway . But , 975 00:50:55,020 --> 00:50:57,187 but we , we did talk about a number of 976 00:50:57,187 --> 00:50:59,659 substantive issues uh that are 977 00:50:59,669 --> 00:51:02,409 important to both of us . Uh And , and 978 00:51:02,419 --> 00:51:05,110 again , uh we will continue to work . 979 00:51:05,120 --> 00:51:07,231 We both want to make sure that uh the 980 00:51:07,231 --> 00:51:09,342 channel stay open and , and hopefully 981 00:51:09,350 --> 00:51:11,649 they will , we'll continue to work on 982 00:51:11,659 --> 00:51:14,850 these issues uh uh between me and him , 983 00:51:14,860 --> 00:51:16,860 but also with our staffs and uh and 984 00:51:16,860 --> 00:51:19,260 subordinates as well . Thank you very 985 00:51:19,270 --> 00:51:21,830 much and we have a question from the UK 986 00:51:21,840 --> 00:51:24,100 and the Iss Viraj Solanki , please . 987 00:51:25,600 --> 00:51:27,600 Thank you , Bastian and thank you , 988 00:51:27,600 --> 00:51:31,100 Secretary Austin Secretary Mr Secretary , 989 00:51:31,110 --> 00:51:33,810 how do you see prospects for the quad 990 00:51:33,820 --> 00:51:37,070 grouping of the US Australia , Japan 991 00:51:37,320 --> 00:51:39,250 and India ? There's not been a 992 00:51:39,260 --> 00:51:42,169 leadership level summit this year due 993 00:51:42,179 --> 00:51:44,780 to scheduling issues . And do you think 994 00:51:44,790 --> 00:51:47,520 the group needs to develop a more overt 995 00:51:47,530 --> 00:51:50,129 security focused agenda to stay 996 00:51:50,439 --> 00:51:52,606 relevant ? And how does it compare and 997 00:51:52,606 --> 00:51:55,310 contrast to the new quadrilateral 998 00:51:55,320 --> 00:51:57,376 grouping established , the so called 999 00:51:57,376 --> 00:52:00,189 squad of us , Japan , Australia and the 1000 00:52:00,199 --> 00:52:03,159 Philippines . Thank you . So the 1001 00:52:03,169 --> 00:52:05,469 question is uh as far as the quad is 1002 00:52:05,479 --> 00:52:07,479 concerned , should , should we have 1003 00:52:07,479 --> 00:52:10,679 more of a security focus ? Um 1004 00:52:11,590 --> 00:52:14,729 I , I think there is a security focus . 1005 00:52:14,739 --> 00:52:17,050 Uh And of course , I engage with my 1006 00:52:17,060 --> 00:52:19,282 counterparts in each of those countries 1007 00:52:19,282 --> 00:52:22,750 routinely . Um But there's an important 1008 00:52:22,760 --> 00:52:26,070 point here , United States military is 1009 00:52:26,080 --> 00:52:28,110 a big hammer and each of these 1010 00:52:28,120 --> 00:52:30,500 countries have big hammers in their 1011 00:52:30,510 --> 00:52:34,260 militaries . But that 1012 00:52:34,270 --> 00:52:36,310 hammer is not the only solution to 1013 00:52:36,320 --> 00:52:38,264 every problem or it's not the only 1014 00:52:38,264 --> 00:52:41,360 solution to most problems . We wanna 1015 00:52:41,370 --> 00:52:43,426 make sure that everything that we're 1016 00:52:43,426 --> 00:52:45,203 doing , we're taking a whole of 1017 00:52:45,203 --> 00:52:47,259 government approach that we're using 1018 00:52:47,259 --> 00:52:49,370 all the instruments of national power 1019 00:52:49,370 --> 00:52:51,481 in every case to address issues , but 1020 00:52:51,481 --> 00:52:53,648 but also grow together in terms of the 1021 00:52:53,648 --> 00:52:56,500 ability to share uh capabilities and 1022 00:52:56,510 --> 00:52:58,909 develop capabilities together . So I 1023 00:52:58,919 --> 00:53:00,975 think this whole of government uh uh 1024 00:53:00,975 --> 00:53:03,750 issue is very very important and quite 1025 00:53:03,760 --> 00:53:05,929 frankly , we're hopeful that we see 1026 00:53:05,939 --> 00:53:08,879 that uh in more places uh around the 1027 00:53:08,889 --> 00:53:12,510 region as well . So it's like 100 1028 00:53:12,520 --> 00:53:14,631 questions . Now . We we take one last 1029 00:53:14,631 --> 00:53:17,520 one , if you don't mind , we're , we're 1030 00:53:17,530 --> 00:53:19,641 still in the double digits . So we're 1031 00:53:19,641 --> 00:53:21,863 ok . Um We'll take one more from , from 1032 00:53:21,863 --> 00:53:23,840 Indonesia and Devi Fortuna Anwar , 1033 00:53:23,929 --> 00:53:26,000 please . Thank you . Thank you , 1034 00:53:26,010 --> 00:53:28,370 Bastian Secretary . I really enjoyed 1035 00:53:28,379 --> 00:53:31,129 your speech , but I noticed that you 1036 00:53:31,139 --> 00:53:34,389 very carefully avoided mentioning China 1037 00:53:34,850 --> 00:53:37,100 when you talk about in the strait of 1038 00:53:37,110 --> 00:53:39,110 Taiwan or about the South China Sea 1039 00:53:39,110 --> 00:53:41,870 issues . And and there is no mention 1040 00:53:41,879 --> 00:53:43,510 about the US China strategic 1041 00:53:43,520 --> 00:53:46,429 competition . So it is really a sign of , 1042 00:53:46,439 --> 00:53:48,550 you know , following from the earlier 1043 00:53:48,550 --> 00:53:50,328 question from New Zealand of de 1044 00:53:50,328 --> 00:53:52,699 escalating of tension between 1045 00:53:52,709 --> 00:53:54,876 Washington and China , which of course 1046 00:53:54,876 --> 00:53:56,987 would be very welcome to this part of 1047 00:53:56,987 --> 00:53:58,820 the world , which is always very 1048 00:53:58,820 --> 00:54:00,876 worried about the intensification of 1049 00:54:00,876 --> 00:54:02,931 tension . But on the other hand , if 1050 00:54:02,931 --> 00:54:04,876 Washington and Beijing are talking 1051 00:54:04,876 --> 00:54:07,042 closely to each other again , while at 1052 00:54:07,042 --> 00:54:09,098 the same time , coercive policies in 1053 00:54:09,098 --> 00:54:11,679 the South China Sea continues , how 1054 00:54:11,689 --> 00:54:13,689 will this , you know , how will you 1055 00:54:13,689 --> 00:54:15,578 manage this ? Because we are also 1056 00:54:15,578 --> 00:54:17,919 worried if you guys get too cozy , we 1057 00:54:17,929 --> 00:54:19,050 also get trampled . 1058 00:54:26,629 --> 00:54:28,370 Well , um 1059 00:54:30,330 --> 00:54:33,030 it's clear that , you know , I've said 1060 00:54:33,040 --> 00:54:35,590 this a number of times that what we're 1061 00:54:35,600 --> 00:54:39,370 looking for and what we have 1062 00:54:39,379 --> 00:54:41,719 quite frankly in our relationship with 1063 00:54:41,729 --> 00:54:44,899 China is a relationship based upon 1064 00:54:44,909 --> 00:54:48,219 competition . And we're not looking for 1065 00:54:48,229 --> 00:54:51,979 a contentious relationship . Uh But I , 1066 00:54:51,989 --> 00:54:53,989 I really , to the point that you're 1067 00:54:53,989 --> 00:54:55,989 making , we really have to be clear 1068 00:54:55,989 --> 00:54:59,959 about uh our expectations . Uh and uh 1069 00:55:00,040 --> 00:55:02,320 and the issues that we see that are 1070 00:55:02,330 --> 00:55:05,709 very , very troubling and if we have an 1071 00:55:05,719 --> 00:55:08,820 open dialogue , we can address those 1072 00:55:08,830 --> 00:55:12,729 issues in those channels . And as you 1073 00:55:12,739 --> 00:55:14,959 would imagine , uh Minister Dong and I 1074 00:55:14,969 --> 00:55:16,913 had the ability to address some of 1075 00:55:16,913 --> 00:55:18,802 those issues . Yesterday , I look 1076 00:55:18,802 --> 00:55:20,913 forward to doing that going forward . 1077 00:55:21,540 --> 00:55:23,651 We continue to work with countries in 1078 00:55:23,651 --> 00:55:25,651 the region like the Philippines and 1079 00:55:25,651 --> 00:55:27,879 others , so many others uh to address 1080 00:55:27,889 --> 00:55:30,000 their concerns to and , and to ensure 1081 00:55:30,000 --> 00:55:32,167 that their rights are protected and uh 1082 00:55:32,167 --> 00:55:35,760 and they have access to their uh 1083 00:55:36,169 --> 00:55:38,590 economic zones and , and , and , and 1084 00:55:38,600 --> 00:55:40,767 that sort of thing . So this is , this 1085 00:55:40,767 --> 00:55:42,878 is a , this is a piece of work that's 1086 00:55:42,878 --> 00:55:44,767 gonna continue on , but we want a 1087 00:55:44,767 --> 00:55:46,489 relationship that's based upon 1088 00:55:46,489 --> 00:55:48,378 competition and not a contentious 1089 00:55:48,378 --> 00:55:50,600 relationship . You've also heard me say 1090 00:55:50,600 --> 00:55:53,590 a number of times that uh you know , 1091 00:55:55,489 --> 00:55:57,590 war or a fight with China 1092 00:56:00,360 --> 00:56:02,300 is neither eminent in my view 1093 00:56:04,370 --> 00:56:08,090 or , or unavoidable . 1094 00:56:09,419 --> 00:56:13,000 So leaders of great power , nations 1095 00:56:14,219 --> 00:56:16,275 need to continue to work together to 1096 00:56:16,275 --> 00:56:20,100 ensure that uh we're doing things to uh 1097 00:56:20,110 --> 00:56:22,159 reduce the opportunities for 1098 00:56:22,169 --> 00:56:25,449 miscalculation and misunderstandings 1099 00:56:26,629 --> 00:56:28,796 and every conversation is not going to 1100 00:56:28,796 --> 00:56:30,796 be a happy conversation , but it is 1101 00:56:30,796 --> 00:56:33,320 important that we continue to talk to 1102 00:56:33,330 --> 00:56:36,620 each other . And it is important that 1103 00:56:36,629 --> 00:56:38,989 we continue to support our allies and 1104 00:56:39,000 --> 00:56:42,280 partners uh on their interests as well . 1105 00:56:43,520 --> 00:56:45,790 And with that , I'll start Secretary 1106 00:56:45,810 --> 00:56:47,810 Austin . Thank you so much . What a 1107 00:56:47,810 --> 00:56:49,699 marvelous way to kick off today's 1108 00:56:49,699 --> 00:56:51,866 deliberations . Just to reassure you , 1109 00:56:51,866 --> 00:56:54,088 there were 20 more who were seeking the 1110 00:56:54,088 --> 00:56:56,310 floor . Um So apologies to those who we 1111 00:56:56,310 --> 00:56:58,477 weren't able to get to , but there are 1112 00:56:58,477 --> 00:57:00,643 obviously more opportunities . So will 1113 00:57:00,643 --> 00:57:03,060 uh I'd like to invite you to join me in 1114 00:57:03,070 --> 00:57:04,969 thanking Secretary Austin for the 1115 00:57:04,979 --> 00:57:07,146 wonderful way in which he engaged with 1116 00:57:07,146 --> 00:57:08,146 all the questions 1117 00:57:11,739 --> 00:57:14,080 and helped us kick off the 21st Iss 1118 00:57:14,090 --> 00:57:16,090 Shangri La dialogue . We now have a 1119 00:57:16,090 --> 00:57:18,312 very quick staging break and then we'll 1120 00:57:18,312 --> 00:57:20,368 go straight into uh the next plenary 1121 00:57:20,368 --> 00:57:20,209 session . Thank you very much .