China will never promise not to use weapons against Taiwan, China’s new defense minister said.
(Photo: via REUTERS)
Singapore China’s new defense minister Li Shangfu has threatened a military conquest of Taiwan. Ahead of the Asian security conference Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, General Li Shangfu, in a meeting with the city-state’s Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen, said China seeks peaceful “reunification” but will not allow Taipei’s ruling Progressive Party ( DPP) striving for independence.
“We will never promise to refrain from using force,” Chinese state media quoted him on Friday as saying about the meeting the previous day. “China must be united.” The Chinese leadership will resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity, said the general, who is taking part in the security dialogue for the first time. Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius also arrived in Singapore on Friday for the meeting.
China regards the democratic island republic as part of the People’s Republic. However, Taiwan, which has a population of 23 million today, has had an independent government for more than seven decades. After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, concerns have grown that China could use similar violence against Taiwan.
The United States has committed itself to the island’s ability to defend itself, which has so far primarily meant arms deliveries. US President Joe Biden had pledged to use US troops to help Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, who is also attending the conference in Singapore, asked his Chinese counterpart Li Shangfu to meet on the sidelines. However, the Chinese side rejected this. One point of contention is that the US imposed sanctions on the general in 2018, which Beijing is demanding are lifted. In any case, there is largely radio silence between the two countries, as relations have fallen to a low point.
USA and Taiwan have signed trade agreements
China also condemned the US-Taiwan trade deal. This violates the one-China principle, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ming on Friday in Beijing. It is the latest example of US attempts to undermine this principle.
On Thursday, Taiwan and the United States expanded their trade relations with a new agreement. First of all, customs procedures and other regulations are to be reorganized. Later, the standards for agricultural products, digital trade, work and the environment are also to be amended.
US Secretary of Defense also on site
The international Shangri-La dialogue is about China’s growing influence and claims to power as well as the consequences of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. A keynote speech by US Defense Secretary Austin has been announced for Saturday, and China’s Defense Minister Li will address China’s new security agenda on Sunday.
The Shangri-La Dialogue is considered the most important security policy forum in the Indo-Pacific region at defense minister level. This year, representatives from 40 countries have announced their attendance, including European defense ministers.
At the important Asian security summit, top politicians from all over the world are advising.
(Photo: dpa)
Pistorius will continue to Indonesia and later India on Sunday. The federal government has drawn up so-called guidelines for the Indo-Pacific, which deal with Germany’s greater involvement in the economically and strategically important region.
More: Dangerous radio silence between USA and China