War with China Not Inevitable, Says Pentagon Chief

The U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stated on Saturday at the Shangri-La Dialogue defense conference in Singapore that war with China is not unavoidable, despite the rapid escalation of tensions in the Asia-Pacific region. He emphasized the importance of restoring dialogue with his Chinese counterpart to avoid "miscalculations and misunderstandings," according to the Associated Press.

During the same conference, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. addressed the possibility of conflict, noting that if a Filipino were to be killed while China confronts his country's coastal defenses and commercial fleet in the South China Sea, it would be seen as an act of war that would require an appropriate response.

Austin praised Marcos for his compelling remarks about the Philippines defending its sovereign rights in accordance with international law. He reaffirmed the United States' steadfast commitment to the Philippines as an ally under the treaty and reiterated the importance of dialogue with China.

"We understand that a lot can happen at sea or in the air," he said. "But our goal is to ensure that we do not allow events to escalate unnecessarily out of control."