China Warns Against ‘Hijacking’ ASEAN at Defense Ministers’ Meeting

China's framing of the ADMM-Plus as a venue for dialogue rather than leverage is a signal about how it wants regional security forums read — and a pre-emptive move against any attempt to steer them toward contested issues. The remark lands on ASEAN members and their external partners alike, since the grouping's credibility depends on keeping the platform open to all participants. Whether the meeting itself stays focused on trust-building or becomes a stage for competing agendas is the open question worth watching.