Shangri-La talkfest

I was reminded that Shangri-La is a fictional utopian paradise valley in Tibet as I read the remarks of the Chinese defence minister to the Singaporean defence and security conference held in the hotel named after the mythical land.

In his speech on "China's New Security Initiative,” Li Shangfu emphasised "a new path to security featuring dialogue over confrontation, partnership over alliance and win-win over zero-sum." 

He advanced a four-point proposal: Mutual respect should prevail over bullying and hegemony; fairness and justice should transcend the law of the jungle; eliminating conflicts and confrontation through mutual trust and consultation; and preventing bloc confrontation with openness and inclusiveness. 

How utopian. Prior to giving his speech, the People’s Liberation Army, of which Mr Li is the responsible minister, was demonstrating China’s commitment to “eliminating conflicts and confrontation” by carrying-out reckless manoeuvres against a US plane and a naval vessel in the China Sea.

In action reminiscent of similar dangerous buzzing of Australian and Canadian airforce planes, the Chinese pilot flew dangerously close. In the South China Sea, a PLA navy vessel cut across the bow of the US ship, akin to a driver diving in front of another vehicle on the highway.

Mr Li further demonstrated “mutual trust and consultation” and “preventing bloc confrontation” by refusing an invitation to discuss security issues with the U.S. Defence Secretary, Lloyd Austin.

Nor did his remarks about “using shotguns” against opponents relieve concerns about the CCP’s “bullying” of any nation that considers Taiwan a self-governed state.

This was the first time Mr Li attended the Shangri-La Dialogue after he became the Defence Minister this year, and it is also the first time China's "Global Security Initiative Concept Paper" was made the subject of a full presentation at this event since its release in February. 

The CCP mouthpiece the Global Times gushed that “the ‘debut’ was undoubtedly a success from any perspective.” It continued that “it is inevitable that China's ‘New Security Initiative’ has gained popularity.”

This is not the understanding of most of the nations in the region, which regard China’s naked aggression as troublesome, to say the least.

Indeed, most discussions between ministers, senior officials and defence chiefs at the annual Indo-Pacific Security dialogue centred on how to contain an aggressive China. In that regard, little has changed for years, apart from China’s increasing aggression against its neighbours. In all the important bilateral and multilateral side meetings, it was the only issue.

It is clear that Li’s comments were intended primarily for his leader, Xi Jinping, and members of the Chinese Communist Party. They indulged the same bellicose nationalism that Xi has fostered regularly.

“China sincerely regards the Shangri-La Dialogue as a platform for discussing security and communicating with all parties on an equal footing, and is also truly seeking dialogue, cooperation and solutions for the pursuit of peace, prosperity and stability in the Asia-Pacific region,” added the Global Times. Except for sitting down to a discussion with the Americans.

The reason advanced for not having a meeting was flimsy. We will not concede to America’s pace essentially!

Which brings me to the Australian contribution.

Each year, a national leader is invited to give the opening keynote address. This year it was Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese.

The prime minister reinforced the messages that Australia was committed to deterrence and reassurance in the Indo-Pacific and stood by its belief of the force for good that American leadership has represented.

However, his belief, expressed also by the Australian Foreign Minister on other occasions that ongoing dialogue and appropriate guardrails are the critical elements of regional security and peace, is not reflected in the actions of the CCP.

As the events of the week demonstrated again, the Chinese regime continues to reject such guardrails and won’t even have a discussion about them.

This is a dangerous escalation in both action and rhetoric by the CCP.

Australia and like-minded nations should continue to press for peaceful discussions and ongoing dialogue. But they also need to urgently engage in the actions that impose guardrails on the region.

Otherwise, they are living in a utopian Shangri-La.

First published in the Epoch Times Australia.