1 00:00:03,210 --> 00:00:05,539 Speaker 1: You're listening to AC N A podcast. 2 00:00:10,109 --> 00:00:12,159 Speaker 1: Let's go to, let's go to him. Let's go to him. 3 00:00:13,020 --> 00:00:15,039 Speaker 1: 39 C, 39 C. 4 00:00:16,049 --> 00:00:19,889 Speaker 1: Hi guys, Theresa Tang here. Something a little different this week. 5 00:00:20,299 --> 00:00:23,250 Speaker 1: Maybe you can hear it. I'm not in our usual 6 00:00:23,260 --> 00:00:27,079 Speaker 1: podcast studio. I'm actually at the Shangri LA Hotel in 7 00:00:27,090 --> 00:00:31,020 Speaker 1: the heart of Singapore. We heard from the defense ministry 8 00:00:31,030 --> 00:00:35,809 Speaker 1: spokesperson straight optical talks ended. Have you heard of the 9 00:00:35,819 --> 00:00:39,610 Speaker 1: double I double S Shangri La dialogue? If not, here's 10 00:00:39,619 --> 00:00:42,700 Speaker 1: the gist of it. It's billed as Asia's premier defense 11 00:00:42,709 --> 00:00:42,900 Speaker 1: summit 12 00:00:43,244 --> 00:00:46,534 Speaker 1: leaders from around the world. They meet, they talk face 13 00:00:46,543 --> 00:00:49,784 Speaker 1: to face and they share ideas on how to tackle 14 00:00:49,793 --> 00:00:55,025 Speaker 1: security challenges in this region and beyond translation. A lot 15 00:00:55,034 --> 00:00:58,305 Speaker 1: of big names discussing a lot of big issues. I'm 16 00:00:58,314 --> 00:01:00,904 Speaker 1: taking you behind the scenes and checking in with our 17 00:01:00,915 --> 00:01:04,875 Speaker 1: CN A correspondents here covering the summit, Li Kit Olivia 18 00:01:05,404 --> 00:01:07,324 Speaker 1: and look. So let's go. 19 00:01:10,819 --> 00:01:13,779 Speaker 1: A lot of analysts have said that the value of 20 00:01:13,790 --> 00:01:17,110 Speaker 1: a summit like this is the opportunity for face to 21 00:01:17,120 --> 00:01:21,379 Speaker 1: face interactions. I'm on the mezzanine level of the hotel 22 00:01:21,510 --> 00:01:23,910 Speaker 1: and I have a bird's eye view of the venue. 23 00:01:23,919 --> 00:01:26,889 Speaker 1: I'm looking down on the lobby lounge. It's, it's like 24 00:01:26,900 --> 00:01:30,650 Speaker 1: a restaurant. It's an open airy space and I can 25 00:01:30,660 --> 00:01:34,410 Speaker 1: see men and women in uniform huddled over a coffee 26 00:01:34,419 --> 00:01:37,209 Speaker 1: or a plate of food. They're deep in conversation. 27 00:01:37,599 --> 00:01:40,949 Speaker 1: And it's been fascinating to observe some of the delegate 28 00:01:40,959 --> 00:01:45,389 Speaker 1: interactions both inside and outside the ballrooms. For instance, I 29 00:01:45,400 --> 00:01:48,190 Speaker 1: saw one man, he approached a group, he took a 30 00:01:48,199 --> 00:01:51,589 Speaker 1: look at their lanyards and their badges and he introduced 31 00:01:51,599 --> 00:01:55,190 Speaker 1: himself and it's these types of one on one sideline 32 00:01:55,199 --> 00:01:57,500 Speaker 1: discussions that some say are just 33 00:01:57,584 --> 00:02:01,964 Speaker 1: as valuable as the plenaries themselves. Of course, we're waiting 34 00:02:01,974 --> 00:02:06,154 Speaker 1: for the Philippine president to deliver his keynote address at 35 00:02:06,165 --> 00:02:08,925 Speaker 1: the Shangri La dialogue. If you're familiar with our TV 36 00:02:08,934 --> 00:02:12,205 Speaker 1: news bulletins, you may be familiar with that voice. That's 37 00:02:12,214 --> 00:02:15,125 Speaker 1: look weu she's a long time presenter of the network 38 00:02:15,133 --> 00:02:17,485 Speaker 1: and events like these are her forte. 39 00:02:17,729 --> 00:02:20,770 Speaker 1: She has been helming coverage from the Shangri La dialogue 40 00:02:20,779 --> 00:02:23,350 Speaker 1: and I want to talk to her now about her experience. 41 00:02:23,660 --> 00:02:26,520 Speaker 1: Hi Wei Su. Hello. What do you feel like are 42 00:02:26,529 --> 00:02:30,228 Speaker 1: the most important topics this year? It's always us China. 43 00:02:30,788 --> 00:02:33,990 Speaker 1: When is it not come to that every day? 44 00:02:34,089 --> 00:02:36,899 Speaker 1: And the news is us China the last two years, 45 00:02:36,910 --> 00:02:39,309 Speaker 1: you were actually sitting in the thick of it so 46 00:02:39,320 --> 00:02:41,410 Speaker 1: you can see them walking up and down. You can 47 00:02:41,419 --> 00:02:45,309 Speaker 1: see who doesn't like who, who has the better uniform. 48 00:02:45,320 --> 00:02:48,229 Speaker 1: So what's the biggest difference for you being based in 49 00:02:48,240 --> 00:02:50,309 Speaker 1: the studio versus being here on the ground. 50 00:02:51,508 --> 00:02:54,418 Speaker 1: It's much easier in studio in a way because we 51 00:02:54,429 --> 00:02:59,750 Speaker 1: have help from everyone else. And when our colleagues bring 52 00:02:59,758 --> 00:03:05,080 Speaker 1: guests in, they're more cow because it's, it's not their territory, 53 00:03:05,350 --> 00:03:08,079 Speaker 1: but here it's neutral ground. The last two years where 54 00:03:08,089 --> 00:03:09,740 Speaker 1: we are stationed to film, 55 00:03:10,339 --> 00:03:14,250 Speaker 1: it's relatively isolated, but it depends on where double I 56 00:03:14,258 --> 00:03:17,589 Speaker 1: double s allows us to set up shop when we 57 00:03:17,600 --> 00:03:20,889 Speaker 1: are more towards the center of the hotel. Very close 58 00:03:20,899 --> 00:03:24,910 Speaker 1: to the lobby lounge. People you see on TV, ministers 59 00:03:24,919 --> 00:03:27,639 Speaker 1: and people in uniform with all their hats on sitting 60 00:03:27,649 --> 00:03:31,029 Speaker 1: there drinking coffee, gossiping. The first time I saw that 61 00:03:31,038 --> 00:03:35,759 Speaker 1: I was. Yeah. And you notice some countries don't mix 62 00:03:35,770 --> 00:03:37,919 Speaker 1: with others like people in a playground. 63 00:03:42,350 --> 00:03:45,410 Speaker 1: I'm in the holding area just outside the ballroom where 64 00:03:45,419 --> 00:03:50,320 Speaker 1: Indonesia's Defense Minister and President elect Prabowo Subianto is speaking, 65 00:03:50,619 --> 00:03:53,240 Speaker 1: it's a packed ballroom in there and you need special 66 00:03:53,250 --> 00:03:57,089 Speaker 1: accreditation to be inside. But those who don't have access, 67 00:03:57,100 --> 00:04:01,729 Speaker 1: dozens of delegates, they're huddled around large and small TV screens. 68 00:04:01,740 --> 00:04:04,970 Speaker 1: They have several 10 ft tall monitors peppered throughout this 69 00:04:04,979 --> 00:04:08,279 Speaker 1: venue so everyone can watch the addresses live. 70 00:04:13,380 --> 00:04:16,179 Speaker 1: All right, there's a scrum happening here. A couple of 71 00:04:16,190 --> 00:04:19,320 Speaker 1: dozen journalists surrounding this one gentleman. Let's try and get 72 00:04:19,329 --> 00:04:24,238 Speaker 1: some audio. Those are not a single square inch, not 73 00:04:24,250 --> 00:04:29,049 Speaker 1: a single square millimeter. Would that be still accurate? Do 74 00:04:29,070 --> 00:04:31,849 Speaker 1: you know who this gentleman is? He's the commander of 75 00:04:31,859 --> 00:04:33,209 Speaker 1: the Philippine Coast Guard. 76 00:04:39,486 --> 00:04:42,095 Speaker 1: There's a lot of activity at an event like this. 77 00:04:42,106 --> 00:04:46,825 Speaker 1: And sometimes you see scrums happening around people that you 78 00:04:46,837 --> 00:04:49,337 Speaker 1: are unsure of. You just want to join the fray 79 00:04:49,346 --> 00:04:53,127 Speaker 1: and hopefully get the sound bite that everyone else is getting. 80 00:04:53,296 --> 00:04:56,976 Speaker 1: And that's what happened earlier. And here's an example of 81 00:04:56,986 --> 00:04:58,315 Speaker 1: how media on the ground 82 00:04:58,634 --> 00:05:01,053 Speaker 1: each other. One of the things you notice about the 83 00:05:01,063 --> 00:05:03,873 Speaker 1: Shangri La dialogue is how secure it feels. There are 84 00:05:03,884 --> 00:05:07,303 Speaker 1: multiple checkpoints inside and out. The place is crawling with 85 00:05:07,313 --> 00:05:10,473 Speaker 1: police and guards with so many ministers and military heads 86 00:05:10,484 --> 00:05:13,902 Speaker 1: in one place. Security is critical. One of the delegates 87 00:05:13,914 --> 00:05:17,782 Speaker 1: this year is also a leading Southeast Asian terrorism specialist 88 00:05:17,914 --> 00:05:20,993 Speaker 1: and the Dean of the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, 89 00:05:21,311 --> 00:05:24,609 Speaker 1: Kumar Ramakrishna joins me. Now, to be honest, I reached 90 00:05:24,621 --> 00:05:28,121 Speaker 1: out to, to talk about the security measures. They didn't 91 00:05:28,130 --> 00:05:31,860 Speaker 1: want to talk to me. Some measures are extremely visible, right? 92 00:05:31,871 --> 00:05:34,781 Speaker 1: We can see the officers outside, we go through the checks, 93 00:05:34,790 --> 00:05:37,371 Speaker 1: we see the scanners. What are some of the less 94 00:05:37,380 --> 00:05:40,841 Speaker 1: conspicuous measures that have been taken that we can't see 95 00:05:41,110 --> 00:05:44,061 Speaker 1: for understandable reasons? They wouldn't want to go 96 00:05:44,420 --> 00:05:48,159 Speaker 1: and talk to the media about what the precise security 97 00:05:48,170 --> 00:05:52,269 Speaker 1: measures are because everybody is watching and you know, they 98 00:05:52,279 --> 00:05:55,739 Speaker 1: don't want to give anything away understandably. But from a 99 00:05:55,750 --> 00:05:59,920 Speaker 1: general point of view, a place like this as a hotel, 100 00:05:59,928 --> 00:06:04,630 Speaker 1: very near orchard road as we all know that's a 101 00:06:05,010 --> 00:06:08,719 Speaker 1: pretty busy thoroughfare and many people come and go, but 102 00:06:08,730 --> 00:06:10,480 Speaker 1: the security has got to be 103 00:06:11,010 --> 00:06:17,130 Speaker 1: effective, but at the same time, not overly onerous. So 104 00:06:17,399 --> 00:06:19,790 Speaker 1: the trick is to strike a balance. You know, there's 105 00:06:19,799 --> 00:06:22,160 Speaker 1: a joke among some people who say this could be 106 00:06:22,170 --> 00:06:25,419 Speaker 1: the safest place or the most dangerous place to be 107 00:06:25,428 --> 00:06:28,290 Speaker 1: in Singapore right now. What's your take? I would say 108 00:06:28,299 --> 00:06:30,730 Speaker 1: that this is a very safe place. This is the 109 00:06:30,738 --> 00:06:35,000 Speaker 1: safest place right now. Thank you very much, sir. 110 00:06:37,850 --> 00:06:40,750 Speaker 1: We will stick out with the rest of the media. 111 00:06:41,369 --> 00:06:44,640 Speaker 1: When Zeny comes to meet Austin, we film. Then after that, 112 00:06:44,928 --> 00:06:47,510 Speaker 1: we feel it coming out and then we rush back 113 00:06:47,519 --> 00:06:50,769 Speaker 1: to Island Ballroom and then we are done for that. 114 00:06:50,790 --> 00:06:53,649 Speaker 1: A lot of time journalists are hunting for news makers 115 00:06:53,660 --> 00:06:56,790 Speaker 1: as well as monitoring the plenaries and the bilateral meetings 116 00:06:57,130 --> 00:06:59,159 Speaker 1: and there's a buzz in the air. You can feel 117 00:06:59,170 --> 00:07:01,750 Speaker 1: people are excited to be here and two of those 118 00:07:01,760 --> 00:07:05,899 Speaker 1: people are my colleagues Z Wai Kit and Olivia. Hi guys. Hi. 119 00:07:06,204 --> 00:07:08,605 Speaker 1: Hi, Teresa. So good to be able to sit down 120 00:07:08,613 --> 00:07:12,065 Speaker 1: for a little while. So you've got your press badge. 121 00:07:12,075 --> 00:07:15,075 Speaker 1: You've got multiple devices, your glasses. Why kit you are 122 00:07:15,084 --> 00:07:19,614 Speaker 1: prepared for this summit? You've seen President Marcos Junior Lloyd 123 00:07:19,625 --> 00:07:23,885 Speaker 1: Austin Vladimir Zelensky live and in person, I have to 124 00:07:23,894 --> 00:07:26,505 Speaker 1: ask you guys, do you get starstruck? What was the 125 00:07:26,515 --> 00:07:27,424 Speaker 1: highlight for you? 126 00:07:28,179 --> 00:07:32,510 Speaker 1: Wow, for me, it would be Zelensky. Zelensky. I live 127 00:07:32,519 --> 00:07:35,829 Speaker 1: in China. We talk about the Ukraine War often as 128 00:07:35,839 --> 00:07:39,799 Speaker 1: well with its relations with China and Russia and all that. But, 129 00:07:40,010 --> 00:07:42,929 Speaker 1: you know, seeing President Zelinski in the flesh in person 130 00:07:42,940 --> 00:07:44,839 Speaker 1: right in front of me getting out of the car, 131 00:07:45,350 --> 00:07:49,010 Speaker 1: it's different. You know, you see someone who's so far 132 00:07:49,019 --> 00:07:51,519 Speaker 1: away and with a wall going on, I think it 133 00:07:51,529 --> 00:07:54,070 Speaker 1: does add some extra weight to what we do. I've 134 00:07:54,079 --> 00:07:56,670 Speaker 1: been watching you work, Ollie, you've been tailing news maker, 135 00:07:56,679 --> 00:07:59,899 Speaker 1: getting clips, getting in on those sessions, delivering live hits 136 00:08:00,320 --> 00:08:03,640 Speaker 1: and scouting for the best coffee. Of course, what is 137 00:08:03,649 --> 00:08:07,559 Speaker 1: key for you to covering such a complex event? Actually, 138 00:08:07,570 --> 00:08:09,049 Speaker 1: the coffee machine is 139 00:08:09,190 --> 00:08:12,970 Speaker 1: a great place to hang out because um during the sessions, 140 00:08:13,200 --> 00:08:16,140 Speaker 1: um that's also where a lot of the participants or 141 00:08:16,149 --> 00:08:20,000 Speaker 1: media are gathered, you know, in between um the speeches 142 00:08:20,010 --> 00:08:22,149 Speaker 1: that take place and that's where a lot of conversations 143 00:08:22,160 --> 00:08:26,089 Speaker 1: happen and exchanging of ideas and information. So it's not 144 00:08:26,100 --> 00:08:28,540 Speaker 1: just for the coffee, everyone needs the coffee. It's an 145 00:08:28,549 --> 00:08:32,239 Speaker 1: early start every day, the session start at like 8:30 a.m. 146 00:08:32,250 --> 00:08:32,849 Speaker 1: local time. 147 00:08:32,950 --> 00:08:35,609 Speaker 1: It is pretty early. I've seen the dynamic between you guys. 148 00:08:35,619 --> 00:08:38,969 Speaker 1: You are a great team. Ok. So why can't President 149 00:08:38,979 --> 00:08:41,929 Speaker 1: Ferdinand Marcos Junior of the Philippines? He delivered the keynote 150 00:08:41,940 --> 00:08:45,000 Speaker 1: address during the opening of the summit and you were there. 151 00:08:45,179 --> 00:08:48,090 Speaker 1: What did you make of his presence of his message? 152 00:08:48,429 --> 00:08:51,409 Speaker 1: If you watch him and you put on mute, for instance, 153 00:08:51,419 --> 00:08:54,840 Speaker 1: you wouldn't feel that he's saying something so important. And some, 154 00:08:54,849 --> 00:08:56,650 Speaker 1: some may describe fiery. 155 00:08:57,059 --> 00:08:59,069 Speaker 1: But if you read between the lines, some of his 156 00:08:59,080 --> 00:09:02,630 Speaker 1: statements can come across as another level of a certain 157 00:09:02,640 --> 00:09:06,049 Speaker 1: Philippines position. Before this, we were talking to so many 158 00:09:06,059 --> 00:09:08,700 Speaker 1: observers asking them, hey, what do you think his tone 159 00:09:08,710 --> 00:09:11,289 Speaker 1: of speech will be, whether you think he will be 160 00:09:11,299 --> 00:09:13,728 Speaker 1: not mincing his words or whether you think it's nuance. 161 00:09:13,739 --> 00:09:15,960 Speaker 1: And we have got both sides of a school of thoughts. 162 00:09:16,059 --> 00:09:18,109 Speaker 1: Most of them think that it will be more toned 163 00:09:18,119 --> 00:09:22,608 Speaker 1: down because he's directly speaking to Claimant states, especially China 164 00:09:22,619 --> 00:09:25,450 Speaker 1: who is in the room watching very closely. But then 165 00:09:25,460 --> 00:09:26,780 Speaker 1: there are also others 166 00:09:26,859 --> 00:09:30,309 Speaker 1: to say, hey, why not, why shouldn't Philippines take this 167 00:09:30,320 --> 00:09:34,099 Speaker 1: opportunity to make its position known? And of course, on 168 00:09:34,109 --> 00:09:38,039 Speaker 1: that night, we heard that the Philippines will not yield. 169 00:09:38,049 --> 00:09:40,369 Speaker 1: What was the exact quote? I may be rephrasing yet 170 00:09:40,380 --> 00:09:43,468 Speaker 1: not a single inch or a single square milliliter. And 171 00:09:43,479 --> 00:09:46,260 Speaker 1: then during the Q and A, he had also alluded 172 00:09:46,270 --> 00:09:48,799 Speaker 1: to you if let's say a civilian were to die 173 00:09:49,000 --> 00:09:52,710 Speaker 1: in the disputed waters. It is considered the red line 174 00:09:52,719 --> 00:09:55,969 Speaker 1: being crossed. So that statement, that position came on very 175 00:09:55,979 --> 00:09:56,599 Speaker 1: strongly 176 00:09:57,690 --> 00:10:01,700 Speaker 1: US. Defense Chief Floyd Austin, he's so hard to miss, right? 177 00:10:01,710 --> 00:10:06,200 Speaker 1: He's a towering man, really, really, really tall. He spoke 178 00:10:06,210 --> 00:10:09,229 Speaker 1: about how the US can only be secure if Asia 179 00:10:09,239 --> 00:10:12,409 Speaker 1: is secure and that the Indo Pacific is a priority 180 00:10:12,419 --> 00:10:15,520 Speaker 1: for America. What was your sense of how delegates here 181 00:10:15,530 --> 00:10:19,400 Speaker 1: received that message? I think the delegates already know this message. 182 00:10:19,409 --> 00:10:22,289 Speaker 1: I think all countries have come to the Shangri La 183 00:10:22,330 --> 00:10:26,400 Speaker 1: dialogue with their own positions and narratives which 184 00:10:26,719 --> 00:10:30,659 Speaker 1: it's publicly known. The only difference is how they deliver it, 185 00:10:30,669 --> 00:10:34,460 Speaker 1: how nuanced it is or how intense it is. So 186 00:10:34,469 --> 00:10:37,059 Speaker 1: the fact that he spoke at the Shan dialogue with 187 00:10:37,070 --> 00:10:39,619 Speaker 1: this message to the world leaders, I feel that the 188 00:10:39,630 --> 00:10:43,179 Speaker 1: delegates already know this. Both us and China say that 189 00:10:43,190 --> 00:10:46,609 Speaker 1: the talks were positive. And well, let's take a listen 190 00:10:46,669 --> 00:10:49,520 Speaker 1: to what the man Lloyd Austin had to say for himself. 191 00:10:50,219 --> 00:10:53,460 Speaker 2: So there is no substitute for direct military to military 192 00:10:53,469 --> 00:10:56,799 Speaker 2: talks between senior leaders and there is no substitute for 193 00:10:56,809 --> 00:11:02,869 Speaker 2: open lines of communication to avoid misunderstanding and miscalculations. As 194 00:11:02,880 --> 00:11:07,669 Speaker 2: I've always said, dialogue is not a reward, it's a necessity. 195 00:11:07,909 --> 00:11:10,080 Speaker 2: And so I look forward to more talks with the 196 00:11:10,280 --> 00:11:10,369 Speaker 2: PRC 197 00:11:11,260 --> 00:11:14,099 Speaker 1: we heard from Lloyd Austin early on during this dialogue. 198 00:11:14,109 --> 00:11:16,289 Speaker 1: And the very next day, it was China's turn. 199 00:11:17,159 --> 00:11:20,640 Speaker 1: You listened in on Defense Minister Dong Jin's speech, what 200 00:11:20,650 --> 00:11:21,229 Speaker 1: struck you? 201 00:11:21,880 --> 00:11:24,880 Speaker 1: I think there was a lot of anticipation for what 202 00:11:24,890 --> 00:11:28,049 Speaker 1: was the Chinese Defense Minister's first appearance here at the 203 00:11:28,059 --> 00:11:30,819 Speaker 1: Shangri La dialogue. After all, we know that Dong Jin 204 00:11:30,830 --> 00:11:34,140 Speaker 1: only took up the post of Defense Minister just last 205 00:11:34,150 --> 00:11:38,539 Speaker 1: year because he replaced the previous Defense Minister Lee Xiang Fu, 206 00:11:38,549 --> 00:11:43,460 Speaker 1: who was abruptly removed from his post. So the question was, 207 00:11:43,469 --> 00:11:45,630 Speaker 1: you know, what kind of tone China would take? I 208 00:11:45,640 --> 00:11:47,270 Speaker 1: think one of the moments that stood out was 209 00:11:47,372 --> 00:11:51,072 Speaker 1: when a Chinese delegate stood up to pose a question 210 00:11:51,083 --> 00:11:55,033 Speaker 1: to the US Defense Secretary after his speech. And he 211 00:11:55,043 --> 00:11:58,843 Speaker 1: asked whether the US was trying to create a NATO 212 00:11:58,852 --> 00:12:02,533 Speaker 1: like alliance in the Asia Pacific. And he then went 213 00:12:02,543 --> 00:12:07,052 Speaker 1: on to say that it was nato's eastward expansion that 214 00:12:07,062 --> 00:12:11,723 Speaker 1: has caused the quote Ukraine crisis to which the US 215 00:12:11,732 --> 00:12:12,752 Speaker 1: Defense Secretary 216 00:12:12,866 --> 00:12:18,906 Speaker 1: then responded, saying that he respectfully disagreed with the Chinese delegate. 217 00:12:19,306 --> 00:12:22,505 Speaker 1: And that drew a round of applause from quite many 218 00:12:22,515 --> 00:12:26,324 Speaker 1: people in the ballroom. I was inside and observing who 219 00:12:26,335 --> 00:12:31,635 Speaker 1: was clapping and many of them were perhaps from the 220 00:12:31,645 --> 00:12:38,205 Speaker 1: European countries, the Western countries. So that kind of showed, 221 00:12:38,599 --> 00:12:40,640 Speaker 1: you know, the kind of tensions that have been in 222 00:12:40,650 --> 00:12:43,478 Speaker 1: the spotlight. And we have seen throughout these few days 223 00:12:43,489 --> 00:12:46,500 Speaker 1: that the Chinese have actually become a lot more vocal 224 00:12:46,750 --> 00:12:52,760 Speaker 1: in voicing their position on various issues, for example. And 225 00:12:52,770 --> 00:12:55,500 Speaker 1: this is more than previous years that we have covered before, 226 00:12:55,640 --> 00:12:59,489 Speaker 1: for example, after the China and the US had those 227 00:12:59,500 --> 00:13:02,830 Speaker 1: bilateral talks. They immediately very soon after called for a 228 00:13:02,840 --> 00:13:03,590 Speaker 1: press briefing 229 00:13:03,950 --> 00:13:09,179 Speaker 1: after that same day, that night. In fact, after the 230 00:13:09,190 --> 00:13:13,229 Speaker 1: Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos gave his speech where he took 231 00:13:13,239 --> 00:13:17,630 Speaker 1: a tough stance as kid was saying towards China at 232 00:13:17,780 --> 00:13:22,159 Speaker 1: 1030 pm. China held a press briefing. I can tell 233 00:13:22,169 --> 00:13:23,809 Speaker 1: you that some of the journalists had actually left the 234 00:13:23,820 --> 00:13:27,169 Speaker 1: venue and then came back to attend that briefing. 235 00:13:27,559 --> 00:13:31,340 Speaker 1: And I think that perhaps is also recognition that they 236 00:13:31,349 --> 00:13:33,869 Speaker 1: do want to get their narrative out there. They know 237 00:13:33,880 --> 00:13:37,900 Speaker 1: that this is a big event where the headlines will 238 00:13:37,909 --> 00:13:41,189 Speaker 1: be from whoever speaks. And if someone is giving a 239 00:13:41,200 --> 00:13:44,539 Speaker 1: speech that they disagree with, they would also like to 240 00:13:44,549 --> 00:13:46,520 Speaker 1: get the narrative out there. And I think that really 241 00:13:46,530 --> 00:13:47,849 Speaker 1: speaks to the kind of 242 00:13:48,224 --> 00:13:52,065 Speaker 1: politics that's going on in the world today. And this 243 00:13:52,075 --> 00:13:56,474 Speaker 1: ongoing rivalry between China and the US in particular, this 244 00:13:56,484 --> 00:14:00,284 Speaker 1: was the response that the Lieutenant General Xin Jian Feng, 245 00:14:00,294 --> 00:14:03,015 Speaker 1: who is the Deputy Chief of the joint Staff Department 246 00:14:03,104 --> 00:14:06,515 Speaker 1: at the Chinese Central Military Commission had in response to 247 00:14:06,525 --> 00:14:08,804 Speaker 1: the US. Defense Secretary speech, have a listen, 248 00:14:10,469 --> 00:14:16,010 Speaker 1: cobbling together small circles escalates regional tension. The US enhances 249 00:14:16,020 --> 00:14:19,690 Speaker 1: military presence in the region and forces countries to take 250 00:14:19,700 --> 00:14:24,210 Speaker 1: sides in advance eastward expansion of NATO. These moves are 251 00:14:24,219 --> 00:14:27,950 Speaker 1: designed to tie regional countries to war chariots of us 252 00:14:27,960 --> 00:14:31,960 Speaker 1: by spreading threats. This has become the source of risks. 253 00:14:33,830 --> 00:14:37,400 Speaker 1: This event, it was pegged as a key opportunity for 254 00:14:37,409 --> 00:14:40,710 Speaker 1: both the US and China to improve their military to 255 00:14:40,719 --> 00:14:44,340 Speaker 1: military relations. Lloyd Austin and Dongjun. They met on the 256 00:14:44,349 --> 00:14:47,489 Speaker 1: first day, Olivia and they walked right past you tell 257 00:14:47,500 --> 00:14:49,090 Speaker 1: us what it was like trying to find them. 258 00:14:49,210 --> 00:14:53,630 Speaker 1: Everything was very hush hush. Um We started to get 259 00:14:53,640 --> 00:14:59,369 Speaker 1: word from sources and contacts and media friends all working 260 00:14:59,380 --> 00:15:02,750 Speaker 1: together to when we kind of figured out the time 261 00:15:02,929 --> 00:15:04,549 Speaker 1: that it was going to happen 262 00:15:05,530 --> 00:15:09,520 Speaker 1: and the venue where this bilateral was going to happen 263 00:15:09,530 --> 00:15:12,559 Speaker 1: at the Shangri La Hotel, we took a walk before 264 00:15:12,570 --> 00:15:16,739 Speaker 1: the meeting began. And actually interestingly enough, um this meeting 265 00:15:16,750 --> 00:15:19,909 Speaker 1: venue just next to it is actually a splash park 266 00:15:19,919 --> 00:15:23,239 Speaker 1: for Children. And um one of the staff there actually 267 00:15:23,250 --> 00:15:25,369 Speaker 1: told me that um you know, they were gonna be 268 00:15:25,380 --> 00:15:29,330 Speaker 1: closing for these few days because of the Shangri La dialogue. 269 00:15:29,340 --> 00:15:31,369 Speaker 1: And that is a sign of 270 00:15:31,679 --> 00:15:35,900 Speaker 1: heightened security. And true enough when we staked out there 271 00:15:36,210 --> 00:15:39,820 Speaker 1: and we did see the US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin 272 00:15:40,000 --> 00:15:43,109 Speaker 1: walking past the cameras. We tried to call out to 273 00:15:43,119 --> 00:15:47,619 Speaker 1: him to ask what his expectations were for that meeting. 274 00:15:48,119 --> 00:15:48,799 Speaker 1: He did not 275 00:15:49,390 --> 00:15:52,809 Speaker 1: answer. He kept a very stoic face and kept marching 276 00:15:52,820 --> 00:15:57,049 Speaker 1: on to that meeting room with lots of security. Then 277 00:15:57,059 --> 00:16:01,169 Speaker 1: we also saw the Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun then follow, 278 00:16:01,440 --> 00:16:03,630 Speaker 1: we tried calling out in Chinese, you know, what were 279 00:16:03,640 --> 00:16:07,330 Speaker 1: his expectations again? Going into the meeting room? No words 280 00:16:07,340 --> 00:16:10,840 Speaker 1: for us. But then coming out, it was interesting, we 281 00:16:10,849 --> 00:16:15,700 Speaker 1: then heard Secretary Austin caught on camera saying when people asked, 282 00:16:15,710 --> 00:16:16,849 Speaker 1: he actually did say it 283 00:16:16,969 --> 00:16:21,659 Speaker 1: well. So it was a sign that, you know, things 284 00:16:21,669 --> 00:16:23,369 Speaker 1: seem to have gone well and true enough when we 285 00:16:23,380 --> 00:16:27,340 Speaker 1: heard from the Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson, he described it 286 00:16:27,440 --> 00:16:34,229 Speaker 1: as a communication that was positive, practical and constructive. And 287 00:16:34,289 --> 00:16:38,789 Speaker 1: the US side issuing a statement emphasizing the importance of 288 00:16:38,799 --> 00:16:42,739 Speaker 1: maintaining open lines of military to military comm communication between 289 00:16:42,750 --> 00:16:44,369 Speaker 1: the two sides. So 290 00:16:45,030 --> 00:16:46,849 Speaker 1: it is set the stage for what was to come. 291 00:16:46,859 --> 00:16:50,349 Speaker 1: Both sides seemed keen on deescalating tensions. You have to 292 00:16:50,359 --> 00:16:52,369 Speaker 1: remember this is the first time they were sitting down 293 00:16:52,380 --> 00:16:56,630 Speaker 1: face to face for substantive talks in 18 months, they 294 00:16:56,640 --> 00:16:59,349 Speaker 1: had cut off military dialogue after that controversial visit which 295 00:16:59,359 --> 00:17:02,330 Speaker 1: we spoke about by then us, house Speaker Nancy Pelosi 296 00:17:02,340 --> 00:17:06,099 Speaker 1: to Taiwan. So this was very significant. But then if 297 00:17:06,109 --> 00:17:09,889 Speaker 1: we looked a little bit deeper on the substantive issues 298 00:17:09,900 --> 00:17:12,050 Speaker 1: like Taiwan, the South China Sea, 299 00:17:12,599 --> 00:17:16,119 Speaker 1: Ukraine, it did seem both sides kind of doubled down 300 00:17:16,130 --> 00:17:19,310 Speaker 1: on their positions. But it was interesting to see that 301 00:17:19,319 --> 00:17:23,979 Speaker 1: both did seem to be keen to de escalate. In fact, 302 00:17:23,989 --> 00:17:26,800 Speaker 1: one of the things we noticed in the US Defense 303 00:17:26,810 --> 00:17:30,819 Speaker 1: Secretary speech was he never explicitly mentioned China in the 304 00:17:30,829 --> 00:17:31,129 Speaker 1: entire 305 00:17:31,265 --> 00:17:33,594 Speaker 1: speech. It was only at the Q and A that 306 00:17:33,604 --> 00:17:36,145 Speaker 1: he did. I want to quickly jump in to the 307 00:17:36,155 --> 00:17:40,415 Speaker 1: point Ollie made about shouting questions to these V I. 308 00:17:40,555 --> 00:17:43,944 Speaker 1: And since this is a behind the scenes podcast, I 309 00:17:43,954 --> 00:17:46,724 Speaker 1: want to share with you why we do that. In fact, 310 00:17:46,734 --> 00:17:49,885 Speaker 1: when Zeny came, I also shouted a question to him. 311 00:17:50,160 --> 00:17:53,290 Speaker 1: And yes, we know that he's 99% of the, I'm 312 00:17:53,300 --> 00:17:58,150 Speaker 1: not going to answer. But I've learned from veterans back 313 00:17:58,160 --> 00:18:01,579 Speaker 1: in 2016 when I was covering the ASEAN summit in Laos. 314 00:18:01,640 --> 00:18:04,969 Speaker 1: That was when Obama also went. So we were all 315 00:18:04,979 --> 00:18:07,819 Speaker 1: taking out. He was walking and he was very quiet 316 00:18:07,829 --> 00:18:08,819 Speaker 1: and then someone said, 317 00:18:09,180 --> 00:18:12,540 Speaker 1: President Obama and he turned towards whoever was starting it 318 00:18:12,550 --> 00:18:15,510 Speaker 1: and smiled and that's when all the cameras started clicking. 319 00:18:15,630 --> 00:18:17,599 Speaker 1: And since then I told myself, hey, that's a good 320 00:18:17,609 --> 00:18:20,579 Speaker 1: tactic to get someone's attention. And even if it's just 321 00:18:20,589 --> 00:18:23,119 Speaker 1: a smile, a nod, you can sense from their body 322 00:18:23,130 --> 00:18:25,910 Speaker 1: language how things go. And since then I've been asking, 323 00:18:25,920 --> 00:18:27,609 Speaker 1: in fact, this time around, I asked Ollie, hey, how 324 00:18:27,619 --> 00:18:28,969 Speaker 1: do I get Defense Minister 325 00:18:29,375 --> 00:18:31,875 Speaker 1: attention? What can I say? What should I shout? And 326 00:18:31,905 --> 00:18:34,125 Speaker 1: then she told me all you practice that so that 327 00:18:34,135 --> 00:18:37,534 Speaker 1: you get attention of these V I, why can't you 328 00:18:37,545 --> 00:18:41,135 Speaker 1: follow all things ASEAN for the network? You are keeping 329 00:18:41,145 --> 00:18:43,854 Speaker 1: a close eye on issues that matter to that block. 330 00:18:43,885 --> 00:18:46,994 Speaker 1: And you attended a special session on Myanmar, you made 331 00:18:47,005 --> 00:18:49,104 Speaker 1: a very interesting observation there, didn't you? 332 00:18:49,500 --> 00:18:52,520 Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean, the moment I stepped in, I saw 333 00:18:52,530 --> 00:18:57,040 Speaker 1: two uniformed Chinese military officials and I'm like, oh, this 334 00:18:57,050 --> 00:18:58,958 Speaker 1: is a first, I mean, since the coup had been 335 00:18:58,969 --> 00:19:02,109 Speaker 1: keeping a close watch on all things Myanmar including Shangri 336 00:19:02,119 --> 00:19:03,920 Speaker 1: La dialogues. And this is the first time 337 00:19:04,219 --> 00:19:07,890 Speaker 1: that I noticed uniformed officers in the midst of a 338 00:19:07,900 --> 00:19:10,140 Speaker 1: Myanmar session. So of course, I strolled up to them 339 00:19:10,150 --> 00:19:13,520 Speaker 1: and said, oh, why is China so interested this time round? 340 00:19:13,660 --> 00:19:16,060 Speaker 1: And they said, oh, as Myanmar's neighbors, we have to 341 00:19:16,069 --> 00:19:18,680 Speaker 1: be concerned about what's going on in Myanmar. And I 342 00:19:18,689 --> 00:19:22,079 Speaker 1: left it at that because the session started during the session, 343 00:19:22,349 --> 00:19:26,079 Speaker 1: one Thai delegate raised a question and that question had 344 00:19:26,089 --> 00:19:30,160 Speaker 1: China in it. The participant said, and I'm rephrasing here 345 00:19:30,270 --> 00:19:33,260 Speaker 1: that nobody talks about the effort 346 00:19:33,354 --> 00:19:36,494 Speaker 1: of China. China was the only country that was able 347 00:19:36,505 --> 00:19:41,333 Speaker 1: to make a concrete positive outcome because China had facilitated truce. 348 00:19:41,505 --> 00:19:45,285 Speaker 1: When there was fighting that started. Last October, you talk 349 00:19:45,295 --> 00:19:50,055 Speaker 1: about access, right? Access to places. Many people don't get 350 00:19:50,064 --> 00:19:52,464 Speaker 1: a chance to see and Olivia, you were able to 351 00:19:52,474 --> 00:19:55,935 Speaker 1: nab a coveted delegates pass. I don't have one of those. 352 00:19:55,944 --> 00:19:58,704 Speaker 1: You got to see things that I was not privy to. 353 00:19:58,805 --> 00:20:01,454 Speaker 1: And I'm wondering what was the most interesting thing that 354 00:20:01,464 --> 00:20:02,364 Speaker 1: you observed? 355 00:20:02,709 --> 00:20:04,670 Speaker 1: I think one of the things that was great having 356 00:20:04,680 --> 00:20:08,208 Speaker 1: the access to was the ballroom and being able to 357 00:20:08,219 --> 00:20:12,599 Speaker 1: be inside for the keynote address the plenary sessions and 358 00:20:12,609 --> 00:20:14,920 Speaker 1: to observe what was happening, I kind of felt like 359 00:20:14,930 --> 00:20:18,729 Speaker 1: a fly on the wall during the the opening dinner. So, 360 00:20:18,739 --> 00:20:23,150 Speaker 1: you know, seating arrangements for these dinners are I would 361 00:20:23,160 --> 00:20:25,689 Speaker 1: say both a science and an art. 362 00:20:27,510 --> 00:20:30,989 Speaker 1: There were the VIP tables at the front of the ballroom, 363 00:20:31,000 --> 00:20:34,489 Speaker 1: I was seated way back. But you know, before the 364 00:20:34,500 --> 00:20:36,879 Speaker 1: event begins, you are free to move and 365 00:20:37,579 --> 00:20:41,260 Speaker 1: walk around and talk to people who are around. And 366 00:20:41,270 --> 00:20:43,859 Speaker 1: so I wanted to have a look at the seating arrangements. 367 00:20:44,420 --> 00:20:48,319 Speaker 1: And what was interesting was that 368 00:20:48,869 --> 00:20:52,489 Speaker 1: the US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was seated at the 369 00:20:52,500 --> 00:20:56,640 Speaker 1: same table as the Philippine President Putin Marcos, who was 370 00:20:56,650 --> 00:20:59,650 Speaker 1: giving the keynote speech that night. But seated at a 371 00:20:59,660 --> 00:21:05,229 Speaker 1: different table next door was the Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun. 372 00:21:05,239 --> 00:21:08,180 Speaker 1: So they were seated at different tables 373 00:21:08,760 --> 00:21:12,099 Speaker 1: probably can guess why organizers might do that. And then 374 00:21:12,109 --> 00:21:16,790 Speaker 1: you had the Singapore leaders hosting, fanned out at different 375 00:21:16,800 --> 00:21:22,510 Speaker 1: tables with all the different uh delegates. Because this year, 376 00:21:22,849 --> 00:21:28,270 Speaker 1: Shangri la dialogue saw three presidents attending one president elect 377 00:21:28,790 --> 00:21:34,229 Speaker 1: and I believe it was over 40 ministerial level delegates 378 00:21:34,459 --> 00:21:36,890 Speaker 1: and it's really high level. And I guess it does 379 00:21:36,900 --> 00:21:41,839 Speaker 1: show the importance of Asia when it comes to security 380 00:21:41,849 --> 00:21:45,329 Speaker 1: issues and the kind of attention that the wall places 381 00:21:45,339 --> 00:21:45,930 Speaker 1: on it. 382 00:21:46,439 --> 00:21:50,380 Speaker 1: Another interesting thing that I got to observe was the reactions. 383 00:21:50,609 --> 00:21:53,119 Speaker 1: Um One thing I was looking out for because I mean, 384 00:21:53,130 --> 00:21:57,130 Speaker 1: I covered China and when the US Defense Secretary was speaking, 385 00:21:57,819 --> 00:22:01,569 Speaker 1: I was looking out for how the Chinese was going 386 00:22:01,579 --> 00:22:03,699 Speaker 1: to were going to react. And so we saw, I 387 00:22:03,709 --> 00:22:07,909 Speaker 1: saw that at the end of Secretary Austin's speech, some 388 00:22:07,920 --> 00:22:10,420 Speaker 1: of the Chinese delegates would kind of put their heads 389 00:22:10,430 --> 00:22:12,739 Speaker 1: together and huddle and discuss, 390 00:22:13,430 --> 00:22:16,319 Speaker 1: I talk to speak to each other. You, I wasn't 391 00:22:16,329 --> 00:22:18,290 Speaker 1: close enough to hear what they were saying, but you 392 00:22:18,300 --> 00:22:20,688 Speaker 1: wonder what they were saying to each other. Ok. I'm 393 00:22:20,699 --> 00:22:24,219 Speaker 1: going to play a clip now of you yk asking 394 00:22:24,410 --> 00:22:28,409 Speaker 1: Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky the first question at the press 395 00:22:28,420 --> 00:22:30,239 Speaker 1: conference that he held. Take a listen. 396 00:22:31,079 --> 00:22:34,339 Speaker 1: Good afternoon. Mr President China has said it's not attending 397 00:22:34,349 --> 00:22:38,109 Speaker 1: the peace conference in Switzerland, although it has voiced out 398 00:22:38,119 --> 00:22:42,530 Speaker 1: that China and Brazil will be holding one. Would you 399 00:22:42,540 --> 00:22:46,649 Speaker 1: be open to sitting in for this conference with Russia? 400 00:22:47,420 --> 00:22:50,319 Speaker 1: Ok. So there were rumblings that he would attend, it 401 00:22:50,329 --> 00:22:52,890 Speaker 1: was only confirmed very late. All three of us were 402 00:22:52,900 --> 00:22:56,079 Speaker 1: actually in that room for that media conference and you 403 00:22:56,089 --> 00:22:59,689 Speaker 1: sat right in the front, front and center wk what 404 00:22:59,699 --> 00:23:02,609 Speaker 1: did you take away from that exchange with Mr Zelensky? 405 00:23:03,180 --> 00:23:05,290 Speaker 1: My first thought and I say this not in the 406 00:23:05,300 --> 00:23:08,639 Speaker 1: capacity of a journalist. My genuine first thought was how 407 00:23:08,650 --> 00:23:10,130 Speaker 1: tired must this man be, 408 00:23:10,540 --> 00:23:14,270 Speaker 1: how heavy your shoulders are to go around the world 409 00:23:14,280 --> 00:23:17,839 Speaker 1: gathering support for your cause. And my thought was how 410 00:23:17,849 --> 00:23:20,780 Speaker 1: tired must this man be? And then as a journalist, 411 00:23:20,790 --> 00:23:22,349 Speaker 1: I looked at him and I thought this man is 412 00:23:22,359 --> 00:23:28,229 Speaker 1: really media savvy. He answers every question with nothing to hide, 413 00:23:28,239 --> 00:23:31,609 Speaker 1: he tells you whatever he knows, but he always draws 414 00:23:31,619 --> 00:23:36,020 Speaker 1: the attention back to Ukrainian civilians, to Children, to women. 415 00:23:36,589 --> 00:23:39,139 Speaker 1: And this is one person who is so media savvy 416 00:23:39,150 --> 00:23:39,430 Speaker 1: that 417 00:23:39,939 --> 00:23:44,478 Speaker 1: he's going around the world, fielding questions, asking us going 418 00:23:44,489 --> 00:23:47,669 Speaker 1: around the world, answering questions to the point. But then 419 00:23:47,680 --> 00:23:51,050 Speaker 1: never forgetting to get the attention back on the Ukrainian 420 00:23:51,060 --> 00:23:55,199 Speaker 1: civilians whom he feels responsible for. Um you can also 421 00:23:55,209 --> 00:23:59,150 Speaker 1: imagine and you were there, Theresa along with many of 422 00:23:59,160 --> 00:24:03,209 Speaker 1: these questions center around China and he answered them. Let's 423 00:24:03,219 --> 00:24:04,909 Speaker 1: take a listen to some of what he said, 424 00:24:05,819 --> 00:24:13,609 Speaker 1: Russia using Chinese influence on the region, using Chinese diplomats 425 00:24:13,619 --> 00:24:21,050 Speaker 1: also does everything to disrupt peace summit. Regrettably. It is 426 00:24:21,060 --> 00:24:25,969 Speaker 1: unfortunate that such a big independent, powerful country as China 427 00:24:25,979 --> 00:24:27,650 Speaker 1: is an instrument in the hands of Putin. 428 00:24:28,280 --> 00:24:30,869 Speaker 1: Actually, one of the interesting things that happened as well 429 00:24:30,880 --> 00:24:34,050 Speaker 1: was I had the opportunity to speak with the double 430 00:24:34,170 --> 00:24:40,520 Speaker 1: is executive chairman sir John Chipman, who was instrumental in 431 00:24:40,530 --> 00:24:44,839 Speaker 1: bringing the Ukrainian President to the Shangri la dialogue. I 432 00:24:44,849 --> 00:24:48,739 Speaker 1: asked him, I asked him why and how did it happen? 433 00:24:48,989 --> 00:24:53,429 Speaker 1: He said the Ukrainian president himself wanted to be here 434 00:24:53,439 --> 00:24:54,180 Speaker 1: in person 435 00:24:54,599 --> 00:24:58,339 Speaker 1: and he wanted to reach out to get support for 436 00:24:58,349 --> 00:25:01,930 Speaker 1: this upcoming peace conference that is going to take place 437 00:25:01,939 --> 00:25:06,449 Speaker 1: in Switzerland. I asked him, did it take convincing to 438 00:25:06,459 --> 00:25:07,379 Speaker 1: get him here? 439 00:25:07,819 --> 00:25:11,139 Speaker 1: And he said, no, it didn't. He wanted to be 440 00:25:11,150 --> 00:25:16,079 Speaker 1: here even though what's happening in Ukraine right now is difficult. 441 00:25:16,729 --> 00:25:20,880 Speaker 1: So that was an interesting moment. I think at the 442 00:25:20,890 --> 00:25:22,989 Speaker 1: end of the day, do you think these types of 443 00:25:23,000 --> 00:25:26,040 Speaker 1: dialogues get us anywhere. Is it just a bunch of 444 00:25:26,050 --> 00:25:30,239 Speaker 1: officials in suits and uniforms talking or why can't, do 445 00:25:30,250 --> 00:25:32,698 Speaker 1: you think real progress will be made once they leave 446 00:25:32,709 --> 00:25:34,040 Speaker 1: these hotel walls? 447 00:25:34,500 --> 00:25:37,729 Speaker 1: I think what is real is the follow up work? 448 00:25:37,739 --> 00:25:41,109 Speaker 1: I think each delegation goes back with renewed agenda to 449 00:25:41,119 --> 00:25:45,780 Speaker 1: follow up on and they would in fact, from the 450 00:25:45,790 --> 00:25:48,609 Speaker 1: series of meetings, they had reach out to whomever they 451 00:25:48,619 --> 00:25:50,640 Speaker 1: need to reach out to to get work done. So 452 00:25:50,650 --> 00:25:54,819 Speaker 1: the follow up is real, the progress. And I think 453 00:25:54,829 --> 00:25:55,719 Speaker 1: in that sense, 454 00:25:56,410 --> 00:25:59,989 Speaker 1: because there is will to continue the work and discussion 455 00:26:00,000 --> 00:26:02,810 Speaker 1: and to do something on a different level. I think 456 00:26:02,819 --> 00:26:05,810 Speaker 1: that is heartening. Well, I think sometimes at the end 457 00:26:05,819 --> 00:26:08,910 Speaker 1: of the day, we are so focused on this particular event. 458 00:26:08,920 --> 00:26:11,270 Speaker 1: It is so intense for these few days and all 459 00:26:11,280 --> 00:26:13,619 Speaker 1: the headlines that come out. But we also have to 460 00:26:13,630 --> 00:26:19,099 Speaker 1: remember that this is just one event in the world 461 00:26:19,280 --> 00:26:19,938 Speaker 1: of event 462 00:26:20,140 --> 00:26:22,770 Speaker 1: that is taking place. There is so many talks that 463 00:26:22,780 --> 00:26:27,729 Speaker 1: go on and diplomatic channels back channels, there's a lot 464 00:26:27,739 --> 00:26:29,889 Speaker 1: of talking. And I think one of the things that 465 00:26:29,900 --> 00:26:34,800 Speaker 1: talking to delegates who have been present observers, what they 466 00:26:34,810 --> 00:26:37,430 Speaker 1: do say is that it is better to talk than 467 00:26:37,439 --> 00:26:41,560 Speaker 1: not at all progress. Like why kids said it depends 468 00:26:41,569 --> 00:26:43,449 Speaker 1: on who you ask. But 469 00:26:44,170 --> 00:26:47,899 Speaker 1: I guess if people are talking, then at least there 470 00:26:47,910 --> 00:26:51,349 Speaker 1: is some hope, maybe that this will be a OK. 471 00:26:51,359 --> 00:26:54,420 Speaker 1: This is gonna sound very cliche, but at least a better, 472 00:26:54,430 --> 00:26:58,280 Speaker 1: safer place. Right. Yeah, I agree. I agree. It's been exhausting. 473 00:26:58,290 --> 00:27:01,479 Speaker 1: It's also been exhilarating. Great to have you guys here 474 00:27:01,489 --> 00:27:03,579 Speaker 1: at the dialogue and thank you so much for your insights. 475 00:27:03,589 --> 00:27:05,899 Speaker 1: WK and Olivia. Thank you, Teresa. 476 00:27:06,224 --> 00:27:09,584 Speaker 1: Thank you. We are back to usual programming from our 477 00:27:09,594 --> 00:27:13,454 Speaker 1: podcast studio next week. But until then a reminder that 478 00:27:13,464 --> 00:27:16,515 Speaker 1: the TV, episodes of CN A correspondent air every Wednesday 479 00:27:16,525 --> 00:27:20,055 Speaker 1: at 9:30 p.m. Singapore Hong Kong time and find all 480 00:27:20,064 --> 00:27:23,614 Speaker 1: our correspondents reports any time on youtube and CN A 481 00:27:23,625 --> 00:27:26,724 Speaker 1: dot Asia. The team behind this week's episode is Sa 482 00:27:27,114 --> 00:27:31,005 Speaker 1: N Clara Kristina Robert and Craig Dale. I'm Theresa Tang. 483 00:27:31,015 --> 00:27:31,804 Speaker 1: Bye for now.