Esper: ASEAN concerned about China claims

(19 Nov 2019) United States Defence Secretary Mark Esper said participants in a recent regional Asian Defence Ministers meeting were very concerned about China's excessive claims in the region.

During his visit to Manila Tuesday, Esper said participants in the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting-Plus, which included ASEAN members and additional dialogue partners like the US and Japan, had concerns about China's "lack of compliance with international laws" and Beijing's tactics "to advance their own interests."

Esper met with his Philippine counterpart, Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, to advance the countries' alliance and strengthen security cooperation to uphold international rules and norms.

During a press conference, Esper emphasized the need to assert sovereign rights, emphasize the importance of law and conduct freedom of navigation operations.



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