Australia asks China to explain 'extraordinary' military build-up2 days ago Share Save Tessa Wong • tessa_wong Asia Digital Reporter Reporting from Shangri-la Dialogue, Singapore Share SaveGetty Images Marles said China's military build-up has become a "fundamental issue" in AsiaAustralia's defence minister Richard Marles has called on China to explain why it needs to have "such an extraordinary military build-up". Meanwhile, the Philippines defence minister Gilberto Teodoro Jr has called China "absolutely irresponsible and reckless" in its actions in the South China Sea. It is not just the size of the military build-up that concerns other countries, he told reporters. It's happening without a clear strategic intent on the part of China… what we want to see is strategic transparency and strategic reassurance be provided by China, and an understanding of why it is needed to have such an extraordinary military build-up." Marles was also asked about Hegseth's call for Indo-Pacific partners to increase defence spending as a bulwark against the threat of China.