Washington Washington and Beijing had just started to cultivate their diplomatic contacts. In May there was a first talk at a higher diplomatic level after a long radio silence. But this cautious approach could be over again. The dispute over the self-governing island of Taiwan threatens to further strain the already tense relationship between the superpowers.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin warned China at the weekend against military action against Taiwan. “A cross-strait conflict would be devastating,” Austin said Saturday at Singapore’s Shangri-La Dialogue, an annual security conference. Such an escalation would affect the global economy “in ways we cannot imagine.”
The reason was statements by China’s new Defense Minister Li Shangfu, who after his arrival in Singapore again threatened to conquer Taiwan. “We will never promise to refrain from using force,” Chinese state media quoted him as saying. “China must be united.”
An incident between a Chinese and American ship in the Indo-Pacific also became known on Sunday night. A Chinese naval vessel came “unsafely” near an American destroyer crossing the Taiwan Strait, the US military said.
Video footage from Canadian news channel Global News showed the Chinese warship rushing towards the USS Chung-Hoon. It came within 150 meters of the American destroyer, the US Indo-Pacific Command said in a statement. Ten days ago, a Chinese and American military plane almost collided.
Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius also took part in the Shangri-La Forum, which was attended by defense politicians and experts, as part of a trip to Asia. Upon arrival, the SPD politician pleaded for an expansion of German engagement in the Indo-Pacific region, which plays a central role due to its economic and security policy importance.
China reacts to Austin speech
The dispute over the island of Taiwan is developing into the biggest point of conflict between the USA and China. The democratic island republic with a population of 23 million has had an independent government for more than seven decades. China regards Taiwan as part of the People’s Republic.
No country alone should claim control of shared sea lanes, Austin said. The 2016 judgment of the Arbitration Court in The Hague, which rejected China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea, is legally binding.
The US has supported its Indo-Pacific allies in resisting Chinese coercion. “We do not seek conflict or confrontation,” Austin said. “But we will not shy away from harassment and coercion.”
>> Read here: Dangerous radio silence between USA and China
This is particularly important in the Taiwan Strait straits, the Pentagon chief explained. The US rejected a “unilateral change in the status quo” from either side. In his view, however, a conflict is “neither imminent nor inevitable”. In any case, the US is determined to preserve peace and security in the Taiwan Strait, which is so important for global shipping and trade.
China has already responded to US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin’s statements, accusing him of “false allegations”.
(Photo: AP)
China responded to the statements by the US Secretary of Defense and accused him of “false allegations”. A spokesman for the Chinese delegation, Jing Jianfeng, said at the security conference on Saturday that the US Indo-Pacific strategy is only a continuation of American hegemony.
The US provoked a confrontation between the blocs, the lieutenant general said, according to Chinese state media. Out of self-interest, the US disregarded the desire of states in the region for stability and put other countries under pressure. The US also expanded its troop deployments, regularly held targeted maneuvers, provoked and undermined peace and stability.
New US-Taiwan trade deal
In the past, Biden had suggested that he would use US troops to help Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack. “Yes,” answered the US President in autumn when asked whether US soldiers would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion.
Recently, the China Committee of the US House of Representatives conducted a “war game” in the event of a Chinese attack.
Officially, US authorities emphasize that there is no acute danger. “It is not our assessment that China wants to go to war,” Intelligence Director Avril Haines told the US Congress in January. Strategically, however, one prepares for all options, because Taiwan’s importance for the global and American semiconductor industry is immense.
We will never promise to refrain from using force. China’s new Defense Minister Li Shangfu
The US government is pumping billions into its own chip production, also to be able to make itself independent in the event of a war. At the same time, Washington is seeking new economic ties with Taipei to underscore its loyalty. Just last week, the US and Taiwan signed a new trade agreement – to Beijing’s displeasure.
Austin expressed concern about the lack of communication between major powers China and the US, whose relations have hit rock bottom. Open communication links are particularly important for the armed forces and defense politicians on both sides, Austin said. “The right time for discussions is now.”
Radio silence from world powers
Referring to a passing encounter with General Li Shangfu the night before, Austin said, “A cordial handshake over dinner is no substitute for a factual argument.” The Chinese side had declined his request to speak with their counterpart on the sidelines of the conference. One point of contention is that the US imposed sanctions on the general in 2018, which Beijing is calling for to be lifted.
The US government is trying “very hard” to establish a dialogue with Beijing, said security expert Liana Fix from the Washington think tank Council on Foreign Relations. However, China is more willing to close communication channels.
“Russia has experienced the Cold War. Back then, contacts were necessary even in the most dangerous situations, especially between the military or security forces. China lacks this experience and it seems quite acceptable from Beijing’s point of view to say: No, there will be no meeting or no telephone call. The need to keep the channels of communication open doesn’t seem to be so well-anchored in Beijing,” said Fix. “This is disturbing.”
Pistorius: “It is not for us to isolate China”
Meanwhile, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius is calling for increased efforts to de-escalate the conflict over Taiwan. “It does not serve us to isolate China,” said the SPD politician in Singapore.
The SPD politician said there was an open discussion at the meeting, characterized by the common goal of preserving peace and overcoming lines of conflict. He thinks that is “very, very important,” said Pistorius. “It’s not going to help us cut the connection or isolate anyone,” he said.
That is why Germany’s line in the Indo-Pacific is also completely clear. “Nothing we do here is directed against anyone, but is explicitly directed towards a peaceful Indo-Pacific, open to all and safe,” Pistorius said.
According to the defense minister, there was an open discussion at the meeting.
(Photo: dpa)
Nevertheless, he called on Li Shangfu to stop a training program involving former German fighter pilots. “I made it clear that I expect this practice to end immediately and made it clear to him that he would certainly not be amused if I tried to do that myself,” he said.
He reacted very cautiously. “He didn’t deny it, but put the meaning into perspective from his perspective,” Pistorius said.
Former fighter pilots from Germany have been training military pilots in China for years, as “Spiegel” and ZDF reported on Friday. According to this, at least a handful of former German Air Force officers are said to be employed as trainers in China.
According to these reports, their payment “apparently in several cases went through letterbox companies in the Seychelles”.
Some of them also worked for the company of an unmasked Chinese spy. According to the reports, several pilots left inquiries unanswered or could not be reached. A pilot denied the allegations. Pistorius has announced an investigation.
More: “If there’s a shot in Taiwan, I’ll be broke”
With agency material