WorldPhilippines says ASEAN nations reject China’s claim it was blocked from defense forum

Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said ASEAN members do not agree with China’s claim that it faced obstacles joining a regional defense forum, and stressed that only ASEAN members can define the bloc’s processes. China’s Defense Ministry accused the Philippines of obstructing its participation at this week’s meeting in Cebu but did not specify the barriers. China’s defense minister did not attend; a military attaché represented Beijing.