Defense chiefs from Southeast Asian nations gathered in Laos for security talks with key global partners, including China and the United States. The closed-door discussions addressed the escalating tensions in the South China Sea due to Beijing's assertive territorial claims.
The meeting brought together top officials, including U.S. Secretary of Defense and Chinese Defense Minister, despite a refusal by the Chinese minister to hold a one-on-one meeting with his American counterpart. The U.S. has been advocating for a 'free and open Indo-Pacific' policy, a stance that has raised concerns amid the changing administration in Washington.
