The US and its allies trade barbs with China, while Ukraine takes centre stage at the Asia security meeting

• Co-operation between China and Russia has “undoubtedly” sharpened security concerns in the region.
• U.S., allies trade barbs with China at Asia’s premier security meeting, especially on Taiwan.
• Ukraine’s President addressed Shangri-La Dialogue via video link from undisclosed location.

Japan says, cooperation between China and Russia has “undoubtedly” heightened security worries in the region. At Asia’s premier security gathering on Saturday, the US and its allies traded barbs with China, particularly on Taiwan; but the war in Ukraine and a faraway speech by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dominated proceedings.

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Even as Beijing becomes more aggressive in the region, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore; that Washington will do its bit to moderate tensions with China and prevent conflict.

Zelenskyy reminded the delegates via video link from an unknown location in Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital; that their countries’ help was critical not just in defeating the Russian invasion, but also in maintaining the rules-based order.

“The future norms of this world, as well as the limitations of the achievable; are being established on the battlefields of Ukraine,” he remarked.

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