scott hideler is live in singapore where that conference is happening. scott, i believe shinzo abi has spoken. what has he said? >> yeah, he really kind of mapped out what media in japan were calling the abi doctorine. this is something he has been focused on. >> that's really expanding their reach, japan's reach in the region. and specifically, you can look at it in the defense arena. >> that's why he is speaking this dialogue because this is where the security and defense leaders from the region and outside the region come here to discuss what's been going on. he says that they want to play. japan wants to play a more proactive role in peace and security in the region and he said multiple times that what really needs to be adhered to in the region is rule of law. now, obviously, that was directed at china and these teartorial disputes we just heard about in that story proceeding this. he is focused on that. he wants to expand. he said this isn't about -- all about military. he is saying that there is so much -- too much spending going on in the military

scott hideler has more. >> reporter: these are not your normal holiday snapshots. last year, the city became the world's most visited tourist destination. that was before six months of political conflict leading to a coup on thursday. >> it's kind of sad because i want to see bangkok, thailand, but everything is closed at 10:00 or 9:00 or something like that. but, yeah, it's a surprise. i am here and trying to enjoy bangkok. >> since the military announced its takeover, more than 50 countries have issued warnings about travel to thailand. this will no doubt increase losses in the $30 billion a year tourist industry. an estimated 3 billion was lost during the first three months of the year. >> this is water in one of the most popular tourist spots here in bangkok. because the coup took place a couple of days ago, a lot of the tourits were here. the biggest concern for the industry moving forward is future bookings. >> if the current decline in tourist dollars continues, this year, 40% down from the normal rate. >> i am very concerned about the future because tourism

. >> that's where we find al jazeera's scott hideler. >> u.s.ecretary of defense chuck hagle using blunt language in dealing with china and what he sees as possible destabilization of the region when china is dealing with that i see territory y'all disputes. he thinks that what we are doing is something that could impact the international community. >> china has called the south china sea a sea of peace, friendship, and cooperation. and that's what it should be. but in recent months, china has undertaken destabilizing unilateral actions asserting its claims in the south china sea. >> in his speech, the defense secretary broad ended out from these territorial disputes in southeast asia as well as the east china sea. he talked about thailand and the united states's concern over the military coup over the last two weeks and what that could mean for the population in thailand. >> we will respond when nations retreat from democracy as in thailand. we urge the royal thai armed forces to release those on who have been detained, end restrictions on free

scott hideler, bangkok. >> the columbians are choosing a new president as well in an election that could have a big effect on talks with the farc rebels. there are five candidates. the two main contenders are manuel santos and his right-wing rival, zaliwaga. supporters of santos say he brought steady growth. opponents have criticized the vo pace and he has been accused of offering too many con sessions. his strongest intelligent is backed by the former president. he promises to sustain those talks if he wins. lucia newman joins us from bogota. are these elections a referendum on the peace process and how they have been handled so far by juan manuel santos? >> and what is at stake is the future of the negotiated talks or a negotiated way to get out of this 50-year-old conflict in this country which cost more than 200,000 lives and internally displaced more than 6 million people. >> that's a lot. you would think all columbian s would be in favor of it. when manuel santos is asking for another mandate in order to finalize talks which some say have been going too slowly, you think everybody

scott hideler, al jazeera, bangkok. >> in mali, tawreg troops agree to on that scene at the scene ofntention fighting last week. many people died and another 30 were taken hostage but later released. >>> in america, six years ago, a terrible crime shocked the entire country: the suspects confessed to the deliberate and horrible murder of six people including two small children, but there has never even been a trial. al jazeera's alan shoveler tells us what's the hold up. >> a lot of people would like to have the delay explained. there is an abundance of caution being taken in this case because two people could be put to death by the state of washington and defense attorneys are saying they are just doing their job and being as careful as possible. but relatives of the six people who were shot and killed on christmas eve six and a half years ago say these delays are tactical, intentional and meant to boost the price of capital punishment. >> michelle anderson and her boyfriend, joseph masonry face possible death sentences for shooting andersonses parents, brother and sister-in-law and