The first plenary session of the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue was held on Saturday morning in Singapore. Zhang Chi, a member of the National Defense University delegation from China posed a pointed question to US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. "You mentioned that allies and partners are important. However, in recent years, when the US set up multilateral alliances and frameworks in this region, such as the Quad (US-Japan-Australia-India) and AUKUS (US-UK-Australia), it did not include ASEAN countries. So, if there are differences or disputes between the US alliances and ASEAN, which side do you choose? Do you support ASEAN's centrality? If so, how can you ensure ASEAN's centrality in this way? " Zhang asked.

In response to Zhang's question, Hegseth avoided directly answering, merely stating a willingness to engage in dialogue with all countries, without elaborating on US policy towards ASEAN. Experts attending the session told Global Times reporters that this response reflected American arrogance, suggesting the US neither supports ASEAN's centrality nor does it regard ASEAN as an equal partner.

Some attendees told Global Times that Zhang's question was praised by representatives from Cambodia and other ASEAN countries who consider the question very excellent as it highlights a critical issue, and voices the concerns of ASEAN nations. 

One representative told the Global Times that the US does not take us small countries seriously at all. Hegseth is very arrogant and overbearing; China is the partner we can trust.