MANILA, May 31 (Xinhua) -- Multilateralism can prevail over confrontation, and ASEAN countries remain open to engaging with more partners, Filipino experts have said.
Lucio Pitlo, president of the Philippine Association for Chinese Studies, made the remarks to Xinhua on the Shangri-La Dialogue 2026, Asia's premier defense and security summit, which concluded Sunday.
Pitlo said ASEAN countries should know where their national interests really lie and avoid being drawn into a camp confrontation.
The expert added that ASEAN countries see China as a strong partner in confronting climate change, one of the region's top challenges.
"China's capacity and investments in green energy and mobility are helping its ASEAN neighbors diversify the national energy mix, enhancing resilience to external oil shocks and speeding up the transition to sustainable energy and transport," he said.
Rommel Banlaoi, president of the Philippine Society for International Security Studies, said multilateralism and trust can prevail over confrontation and mistrust, adding that pursuing cooperation between the Philippines and China is also paramount.
The expert said the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) and the ADMM-Plus, which includes external partners such as China, are crucial in promoting transparency, joint exercises and practical maritime security cooperation. ■