(UPDATE) SINGAPORE: United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin vowed Saturday that Washington would not stand for any 'coercion and bullying' of its allies and partners by China, but assured Beijing that the US remained committed to maintaining the status quo on Taiwan and would prefer dialogue over conflict.

Speaking at the so-called Shangri-La Dialogue, an annual forum bringing together top defense officials, diplomats and leaders, Austin lobbied for support for Washington's vision of a 'free, open and secure Indo-Pacific within a world of rules and rights' as the best course to counter increasing Chinese assertiveness in the region.