Opinion | Why China need not fear US-led ‘Squad’ evolving into Asian Nato
Uncertainty surrounds the ‘Squad’, including the US’ ability to support another grouping and Trump’s push for a grand bargain with China
In contrast to the more measured language of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on regional affairs, the four defence chiefs expressed “serious concern regarding China’s destabilising actions in the East China Sea and the South China Sea” as well as “opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion”.
The four nations were diplomatically tactful enough to underscore Asean’s “central role” in regional stability. However, they also made it clear that they were willing to take matters into their own hands if necessary by doubling down on their defence cooperation in the face of a resurgent China.
Crucially, the four nations vowed to synchronise defence-related investments, enhance intelligence-sharing and deepen interoperability as well as cybersecurity cooperation. They signalled their commitment to institutionalising their quadrilateral grouping by creating a new “Indo-Pacific Chiefs of Defence Cooperation Council” and ramping up joint naval drills next year.