SINGAPORE aEUR: China's defense minister claimed that the United States tried to "hijack the support of countries within the Asia-Pacific region to turn them towards Beijing." He said Washington was trying to promote its own interests "under multilateralism."
Defense Minister Gen. Wei Fenghe slammed U.S. Secretary Of Defense Lloyd Austin. He rejected his "smearing accusations" at the Shangri-La Dialogue that China was causing instability through its claim to Taiwan's self-governing island and increased military activity in the region.
Austin had stressed the importance of multilateral partnerships with countries in the Indo-Pacific. Wei suggested that this was an attempt to push China into a corner.
He stated that no country should force its will on other countries or bully them under the pretense of multilateralism. This strategy is an attempt by a small group to create conflict and confrontation in order to contain and encircle other countries.
China is rapidly modernizing its military, and trying to expand its influence in the region. Recently, China signed a security agreement in Solomon Islands, which many fear could lead China to build a naval base in the Pacific. This week, China began work on a naval port expansion in Cambodia, which could give Beijing a foothold within the Gulf of Thailand.
The United States accused China last year of testing a hypersonic weapon, which is harder to counter with missile defense systems. However, China claimed it was a routine test of a spacecraft.
Wei answered a question regarding Sunday's test and said, "As far as hypersonic weapons go, many countries are creating weapons and it's not surprising that China is doing this."
He said, "China will develop its army." It's natural, I think.
Antony Blinken, Secretary of State for the United States, stated last month that China was the "most serious long term challenge to international order" because of its claims to Taiwanese territory and attempts to control the South China Sea.
The U.S. and its allies responded by sending so-called freedom to navigation patrols into the South China Sea, Taiwan Strait and other areas. Sometimes they were met with resistance from China's military.
Wei accused the U.S.of "meddling in our region's affairs" through the patrols and "flexing their muscles by sending warships to the South China Sea and warplanes to the South China Sea on a rampage."
China and Vietnam have fought over maritime claims. Wei stated that it was up to each country to come up with their own solutions.
He stated that China calls for the South China Sea to be a sea of friendship, peace and cooperation. "This is the common desire and responsibility of all countries in the region."
China and Taiwan split in 1949 during a civil conflict. China claims Taiwan as its territory and China has not ruled it out of using military force to capture it. However, it maintains that it is a domestic issue.
Washington has a "one China" policy. It recognizes Beijing, but allows informal relations with Taipei and defends ties with Taipei. It supplies arms to Taiwan and uses a strategy of strategic ambiguity to determine how far it will go to defend Taiwan against a Chinese invasion. It does not support Taiwanese independence.
China was astonished that President Joe Biden said last month that the U.S. would respond militarily to any attack on Taiwan. However, the White House later clarified that these comments were not indicative of a policy shift.
Austin accused China Saturday of trying to alter the status quo in Taiwan by threatening to increase provocative and destabilizing militarily near the island.
Wei retorted Sunday that the U.S. wasn't adhering to its "one China" policy and said "it keeps playing Taiwan cards against China."
He stated that China's "greatest desire" was peaceful reunification with Taiwan. However, he also indicated that Beijing was ready to do whatever was necessary to achieve its goals.
He stated that China will undoubtedly realize its reunification. "China's reunification represents a significant cause for the Chinese nation and is something that no one or any force can stop."
He said that China would "resolutely crush all attempts to attain Taiwan independence."
He stated, "We won't hesitate to fight. We will fight at any cost and we will fight until the end." This is China's only option.
According to the U.S., Wei and Austin met face-to-face on Saturday. Taiwan was prominently discussed in their discussions.
Wei met with Richard Marles, the Australian Defence Minister, on Sunday. The Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported that this was the first high-level meet between the two countries for more than two decades.
Marles stated that it had been three year since the Australian and Chinese defense ministers met and called the meeting a "critical step."
"As Sec. After his meeting with Defense Minister Wei Austin, Austin stated that it was crucial in these times to have open lines for dialogue." He told reporters.
"Australia's relationship with China is complicated and it's because of that complexity that it is so important that we engage in dialogue right now."
