Full Breakdown
China’s Military Buildup Creates Pressure in Southeast Asia
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In this breakdown
01
Background and Context
On October 29 2026, the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) convened in Cebu, Philippines. The gathering brought together defence leaders from the region, including Philippines Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, who opened the session. Australia, Japan, the United States and the Philippines also met informally as the “Squad,” a security group that has recently pledged tighter policy coordination.
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Official Statements & Responses
Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles told reporters that China’s expanding naval and coast-guard presence in the South China Sea is generating a “condition of pressure” for Southeast Asian states. He argued that the lack of a clear Chinese explanation for the buildup challenges Canberra’s reliance on a rules-based order, which he said gives middle powers like Australia “agency.”
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Verbatim Quotes
- “We’re obviously seeing the biggest conventional military build-up that the world has seen since the end of the Second World War from China,” — Richard Marles, australian defence minister
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Regional Implications
Marles’ remarks underscore growing concerns that China’s maritime activities—characterised by a surge in conventional forces—the largest since the end of World War II, are reshaping security calculations in the region. By urging deeper cooperation among Australia, Japan, the United States and the Philippines, the Australian defence portfolio signals a shift toward more coordinated deterrence efforts. The emphasis on maintaining existing “rules of the road” reflects a broader strategic aim to preserve a rules-based maritime order amid heightened Chinese assertiveness.