Shinzo Abe makes controversial comments about military

World Today

The 13th Shangri-La Dialogue began Friday in Singapore with a keynote speech from Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that outraged some of the officials present.

Escalating territorial disputes between China, Vietnam and the Philippines in the South China Sea have heightened tensions at this year’s security forum involving 28 Asia-Pacific nations.

Vowing to play a more “proactive” role in Southeast Asian security, Abe announced that Japan would provide 10 patrol vessels to the Philippine Coast Guard.

Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Fu Ying, also attending the summit, accused Abe of “trying to amend the security policy of Japan.”

Some international law scholars say Abe’s proposals could erode parts of Japan’s post-war Constitution written to suppress Japanese militarism that plunged the eastern hemisphere into global war more than 70 years ago.

Japan invaded China in the 1930s and is deadlocked in its own territorial dispute with China over the Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea. The Japanese call this archipelago the Senkaku Islands.

Vice-Minister Fu said Abe was constructing a “myth” by suggesting that China was “posing a threat to Japan.”

CCTV’s Miro Lu has more details on the Abe speech.

Shinze Abe makes controversial comments about military

The 13th Shangri-La dialogue is underway in Singapore. The three-day event provides a platform for defense ministers and military officials from Asia and beyond to discuss all matters of security. CCTV's Miro Lu reports.

CCTV’s Elaine Reyes interviews Neil Shenai, Professor at American university to get his reaction to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s keynote speech.

Neil Shenai on Shangri-La dialogue

The 13th Shangri-La dialogue is underway in Singapore. The three-day event provides a platform for defense ministers and military officials from Asia and beyond to discuss all matters of security. CCTV's Elaine Reyes interviews Neil Shenai, Professor at American university to get his reaction to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's keynote speech.

One of the key topics at this year’s Shangri-La summit will be China’s rise as a regional power. CCTV correspondent Han Bin met with William Choong. He’s a Senior Fellow for Asia-Pacific Security. He asked him what impact China’s development and growing economy will have on the region.

Shangri-La dialogue: Impact of China in the region

One of the key topics at this year's Shangri-La summit will be China's rise as a regional power. CCTV correnspondent Han Bin met with William Choong. He's a Senior Fellow for Asia-Pacific Security. He asked him what impact China's development and growing economy will have on the region.