China's Defense Minister: U.S. Is Pushing For Confrontation

U.S. Pushing For Confrontation With China, Says Beijing’s Defense Minister

Dzirhan Mahadzir

Chinese Defense Minister Gen. Wei Fenghe on Sunday strongly rejected the United States’ claims about Bejing’s actions on the global stage, saying that the U.S. is pushing for confrontation and trying to encircle China.

Speaking at the International Institute of Strategic Studies Shangri-La Dialogue, Wei warned that China “would fight to the very end” should anyone dare to secede Taiwan from China.

In opening his speech, titled China’s Vision For Regional Order, Wei referred to U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin’s speech on Saturday, saying he disagreed with some of the points Austin made and firmly rejected the United States’ “smearing accusations and even threats against China.” Making an oblique reference to the U.S., Wei called upon countries to reject exclusive blocs, confrontation, containment and decoupling. “building high walls around one’s turf and forming parallel systems can only split the world and undermined the shared interests of all countries,” said Wei.

Wei also argued global affairs should be handled through consultations by all stakeholders, instead of one country or a small group of countries dictating, adding that no one and no country should impose its will on others or bully others under the guise of multilateralism.

Wei said nations should uphold the rule of law, oppose unilateral action and that the order of human civilization must be based on the rule of law, otherwise the law of the jungle will prevail. Continuing to obliquely refer to the United States, Wei said nations should not interfere in other nations’ internal affairs, a veiled reference to China’s claims on Taiwan, which China considers as a national internal affair. He added that unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdictions should be rejected. Wei went on to say that a country is not in a position to champion any international rule or order if it only follows rules that fits its interest.

In regard to Taiwan, Wei said it is an internal affair of China and China will definitely realize its peaceful reunification, which China is making every effort to achieve. He added that those who attempt to pursue Taiwan independence in an effort to split China “will definitely come to no good end,” adding that the ruling Democratic Progressive Party of China was a pawn of anti-China foreign groups who would be used and abandoned by their master.

“Let me make this clear, if anyone dares to secede Taiwan from China, we would not hesitate to fight, we will fight at all costs and we will fight to the very end, this is the only choice for China,” he said.