Defense Secretary Jim Mattis delivers his speech during the 17th International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-la Dialogue, an annual defense and security forum in Asia, in Singapore June 2. | Yong Teck Lim/AP Photo U.S. will ‘compete vigorously’ in South China Sea, Mattis warns Beijing

This story is being published by POLITICO as part of a content partnership with the South China Morning Post. It originally appeared on scmp.com on June 2, 2018.

The United States will “compete vigorously” with China’s actions in the South China Sea if needed, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Saturday, but insisted Washington was still willing to work with Beijing on a “results-oriented” relationship.


“China’s policy in the South China Sea stands in stark contrast to the openness our strategy promises, it calls into question China’s broader goals,” Mattis said at the International Institute for Strategic Studies Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.

“The U.S. will continue to pursue a constructive, results-oriented relationship with China, cooperating when possible and competing vigorously where we must … of course we recognize any sustainable Indo-Pacific order has a role for China.

“Make no mistake: America is in the Indo-Pacific to stay. This is our priority theater,” he said.

Morning Defense newsletter Sign up for Morning Defense, a daily briefing on Washington's national security apparatus. Email Sign Up By signing up you agree to receive email newsletters or alerts from POLITICO. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Mattis’ speech came amid increased rivalry between China and the U.S., as Washington again challenged Beijing’s increasing maritime dominance in the region, mainly over its vast territorial claims and militarization of islands in strategic waters.

In recent weeks, China has stepped up its campaign with the deployment of advanced weapons and aircraft, including landing its nuclear-capable H-6K strategic bomber on a fortified reef in the Paracel Islands.

"Despite China’s claims to the contrary, the placement of these weapon systems is tied directly to military use for the purpose of intimidation and coercion,” Mattis said, adding that Washington would continue to support Association of Southeast Asian Nations members to maintain regional security.

“The more Asean speak with one voice, the more we can maintain the region free from coercion and one that lives by respect for international law.”

He said it was important for the U.S. to uphold alliances with Australia, New Zealand and India and insisted the U.S. was not asking smaller countries to choose between China and the U.S.

“China should and does have a voice in shaping the international system, and all of China’s neighbors have a voice in shaping China’s role.”

Mattis said also that the U.S. would continue to supply weapons to Taiwan.

“The department of defense remains steadfastly committed to working with Taiwan to provide defense articles and services necessary to maintain sufficient self defense consistent with our obligations set out in our Taiwan Relations Act.”

South Korea and Japan have expressed concern that President Donald Trump may put America’s security interests before theirs in pursuing a deal with North Korea.

“We are focused on modernizing our alliance with both Republic of Korea and Japan, transforming these critical alliances to meet the challenges of the 21st century,” Mattis said.

When asked about the future of U.S. troops in South Korea, he said they were “separate and distinct from negotiations” with North Korea.

Beijing’s drills prompted the U.S. to withdraw China’s invitation to the forthcoming Rim of the Pacific exercises in Hawaii, a move Mattis called a small consequence China faced for “militarizing the South China Sea”.

“There will be much larger consequences,” he warned.

He confirmed he would still travel to China to discuss differences between the two nations.

On Sunday, two U.S. Navy warships sailed close to several islands in the Paracel group, in a move Beijing described as a “serious infringement of Chinese sovereignty”.

A week earlier, the Indian and Vietnamese navies staged their first joint exercises in the South China Sea, as the two sides seek to enhance cooperation amid China’s growing military presence.

On Wednesday, in what appeared to be a symbolic move signaling India’s growing importance, the U.S. military renamed its Pacific Command the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.

The command is made up of about 375,000 civilian and military personnel.

While the name change would not involve any fundamental shifts in troops, military missions or other Pentagon activities, Mattis said on Wednesday it was a “recognition of the increasing connectivity between the Indian and Pacific oceans”.

In 2016, the U.S. and India signed an agreement on the use of each other’s land, air and naval bases for repair and resupply, making it easier for them to conduct joint military operations.

The U.S. is also keen to tap into India’s large defense market. It is already New Delhi’s second-largest weapons supplier, closing $15 billion worth of deals over the past decade.

Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Texas), who chairs the House Armed Services Committee, said at the Shangri-La Dialogue that the defense bill passed by Washington last week was evidence of America’s concerns in the Asia-Pacific region as it faced an increasingly assertive China.

“That shows not only from the administration, but from Congress, that there is a strong bipartisan commitment to this region,” he said. “There is also a strong bipartisan commitment in Congress to strengthen our military.”

The bill included the suggestion to rename the U.S. Pacific command, as well as recommendations for the U.S. to strengthen partnerships and its own missile defenses, and develop the Indo-Pacific stability fund.

Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) said that US policymakers had also been persuading the Philippines to speak up against Beijing’s militarization in the South China Sea.

“When we were in the Philippines, we told the Filipinos – you can’t just have silence. Because silence means you agree with what China’s [doing],” he said.

“So one of the things we’ve been asking our partners here is you just can’t be quiet. You have to do something, you have to say something.”

The Shangri-La Dialogue, which opened on Friday and closes on Sunday, is an annual security summit for Asia attended by defense ministers and other officials from more than 50 countries, including China, the US, Australia, Japan, India, France, Vietnam and the Philippines.