Southeast Asian defense ministers ended two days of talks in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, on Oct. 29 with five new cooperation initiatives, three joint documents and a renewed call for a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. chaired the meetings at the Mactan Expo Center as part of the Philippines' 2026 ASEAN chairmanship.
The 20th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) was held on Oct. 28, 20 years after the first one in May 2006. The 13th ADMM-Plus followed on Oct. 29, bringing in ASEAN's eight dialogue partners: Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, South Korea and the United States.
What The Ministers Adopted
The Manila Joint Declaration on the ADMM's 20th anniversary, titled "Navigating Our Future, Together," calls for full implementation of the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. It also calls for the early conclusion of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct, in line with international law including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, within a mutually agreed timeline. It also backs freedom of navigation and overflight.
The ministers also adopted a joint statement marking 50 years of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia. On Oct. 29, the ADMM-Plus adopted a joint statement on youth, peace and security.
The five initiatives include an ADMM Young Leaders' Exchange Programme, closer links with ASEAN Regional Forum defense dialogues, resilience against chemical, biological and radiological threats, and a guide to meeting protocols. The Philippines will also co-host a 2027 conference on maritime security and emerging technologies with India.
Teodoro's Message
Opening the ADMM, Teodoro said differences, including those in the South China Sea, should not divide the bloc and should be settled by peaceful and legal means. At the ADMM-Plus, he said ASEAN members and dialogue partners share principles that include respect for sovereignty, peaceful settlement of disputes and renouncing the threat or use of force.
China Sends Its Attaché
China did not send Defense Minister Dong Jun. Beijing was represented by Senior Capt. Yang Lei, its defense attaché in Manila. Defense Undersecretary Ignacio Madriaga received him.
In Beijing, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang accused Manila of abusing its chairmanship to obstruct China's participation. Teodoro rejected that at a press conference on Oct. 29. He said that "it is China's position, it is not ASEAN's position." He said an undersecretary receiving an attaché was "more than courteous," citing parity in rank.
Allies On The Sidelines
Teodoro co-chaired an ASEAN-United States informal meeting with U.S. Secretary Pete Hegseth and an ASEAN-Japan informal meeting with Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi. He held bilateral talks with counterparts from Singapore, the United States, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Vietnam and India.
Singapore Takes Over
On Oct. 29, Teodoro handed the 2027 ADMM and ADMM-Plus chairmanship to Singapore Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing. Teodoro said the unity, centrality and solidarity of ASEAN must remain constant. Singapore will host the 21st ADMM and 14th ADMM-Plus next year.
