From October 31 to November 1, the 12th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) took place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, involving defense ministers from ASEAN and eight dialogue partners: Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia, and the United States. The dialogue aims to foster regional security cooperation, especially in maritime affairs, and address pressing issues such as counter-narcotics, illegal fishing, climate change, and information sharing.
The meeting highlighted a growing U.S.-China rivalry, with U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth urging Southeast Asian nations to resist Chinese coercion in the South China Sea, while China’s Defense Minister Dong Jun advocated for Asian solutions to regional challenges. This competition for influence within Southeast Asia framed the discussion, overshadowing many initiatives launched during the dialogue.
Key outcomes of the ADMM-Plus included a record twenty initiatives, such as new frameworks for ASEAN Defense Search and Rescue (ADSARX), Critical Underwater Infrastructure (CUI) Security, and the ASEAN Cyber Defence Network (ACDN). A significant result was the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration, which reaffirmed commitments to ASEAN unity, a rules-based regional order, and peaceful resolution of disputes in the South China Sea, highlighting the need for cooperation amidst escalated tensions.
During the meetings, Hegseth met with various defense leaders, including Malaysia’s Minister Khaled Nordin and the Philippines’ Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, signing agreements to enhance bilateral defense cooperation. The creation of “Task Force Philippines” aimed to improve U.S.-Philippines military interoperability and preparedness in the South China Sea, without increasing permanent U.S. military presence. Hegseth also emphasized U.S. concerns over China’s aggressive actions in his keynote speech, warning against China’s intimidation tactics in the region.
Conversely, Dong Jun focused on improving China’s military relations with ASEAN members while urging non-containment of China by the U.S. He reinforced the idea of Chinese solutions for regional stability, calling for unity and cooperation. His meetings emphasized China’s commitment to deepening ties with ASEAN, portraying the narrative of China as a security partner against U.S. hegemony.
Both nations’ competing narratives served as a litmus test for regional dynamics. While ASEAN countries generally strive for neutrality, they face the pressure of aligning with either the U.S. or China. The discussions led to agreements on military communications, a step towards de-escalating potential conflicts, but the overarching U.S.-China tension remains unaddressed, placing ASEAN in a precarious position.
The outcomes at ADMM-Plus signal both continuity and change in U.S. defense partnerships with nations like India, Malaysia, and Cambodia, suggesting increased willingness from countries to diversify their security ties amid heightened competition. However, ASEAN’s wariness towards China’s ambitions and uncertainty about U.S. commitment complicate their strategic choices. In essence, while ASEAN aims to maintain autonomy in its foreign relations, the realities of great power competition may influence its decisions in more profound ways than anticipated.
