Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook provided the following readout:
Secretary of Defense Ash Carter met today with Malaysian Minister of Defense Hishammuddin Hussein on the margins of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. The Secretary and Minister discussed regional and global security issues and bilateral defense cooperation.
The two leaders exchanged views on the regional security environment in Southeast Asia. They discussed the need for peaceful resolution of disputes in the South China Sea in accordance with international law, and Secretary Carter noted that the UNCLOS Arbitral Tribunal ruling on the Philippines-China claims will be binding on both parties.
They discussed a range of issues, including cooperation on countering violent extremism from groups like ISIL. The Secretary also reiterated the importance of continuing to strengthen defense ties with Malaysia to combat transnational threats.
Secretary Carter and Minister Hishammuddin looked forward to the U.S.-ASEAN Defense Informal that is planned for late September in Hawaii.