During the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue held in Singapore, leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) emphasized their commitment to non-alignment and engagement with all global powers.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, in a keynote address on June 1, 2025, underscored that ASEAN countries would not yield to pressure to choose sides amid escalating geopolitical rivalries.

This sentiment was supported by Singapore’s Defense Minister Chan Chun Sing, who highlighted the necessity for Southeast Asia to maintain relationships with both China and the United States, as well as other regional players.

Chan articulated a vision of adhering to principles that promote global order rather than succumbing to a 'law of the jungle', stating, "If we have to choose sides, may we choose the side of principles." This declaration was made in response to U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s call for Asia-Pacific nations to bolster their military expenditures to 5% of GDP in order to counter perceived threats from China.

In reaction to Hegseth's remarks, commentators noted that U.S. attempts to divide China from ASEAN nations would likely be ineffective.

Da Wei, director of the Center for International Security and Strategy at Tsinghua University, remarked that such attempts lack persuasive power.

The U.S. Defense Secretary's address included references to the 'Indo-Pacific Strategy', which the Trump administration revitalized upon his return to office in January.

The strategy has faced criticism from Chinese officials, who accused Hegseth of promoting a Cold War mentality that disregards regional calls for peace and development.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry responded to Hegseth’s statements, denouncing them as provocative and designed to incite division, asserting that such views do not align with the collective aspirations of regional nations.

Meng Xiangqing from the National Defense University also critiqued the 'Indo-Pacific Strategy', labeling it a mechanism for asserting U.S. hegemony and creating confrontational blocs within Asia.

Chinese delegates at the dialogue presented China's Asian security model as a key alternative, which advocates for shared prosperity, dialogue, and mutual benefit, contrasting sharply with the U.S. approach.

Shen Chen, a professor at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, characterized the model as aligning with the interests of all Asian nations, promoting a collective commitment to regional stability rather than military escalation.

The dialogue concluded with a clear stance from ASEAN leaders on the importance of regional cooperation and a preference for security based on economic and political collaboration rather than alignment with specific military blocs.