Australian defence chief says China’s build-up creates ‘pressure’ as Beijing accuses Manila of obstructing ASEAN summit
China sends lowest-ranking representative to ADMM-Plus since 2010 amid dispute over attendance
Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles said China’s military build-up, the largest conventional build-up since the Second World War, was creating a ‘condition of pressure’ in Southeast Asia, as China and the Philippines sparred over Beijing’s attendance at this week’s ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Cebu.