US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Saturday that a war over Taiwan would be “devastating” and would affect the global economy “in ways we cannot imagine”, criticizing China.
The statement was made at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit, Asia’s annual defense and security forum, in Singapore. The secretary’s warning was a sign of US support for democracy on the island.
“Conflict is neither imminent nor inevitable. Deterrence is strong today — and it’s our job to keep it that way,” Austin said at the meeting, which was attended by representatives from dozens of countries, including China.
“The whole world has an interest in maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. The security of commercial shipping lanes and global supply chains depends on it. And so does freedom of navigation around the world. Make no mistake: conflict in the Taiwan Strait would be devastating.”
In a question-and-answer session following his speech, Austin added, “The Taiwan Strait conflict would affect the global economy in ways we cannot imagine.”
China’s Communist Party claims Taiwan as part of its territory, despite never having controlled it, and its increasingly frequent military drills near and around the island have raised concerns about how far it will go to realize that claim. China’s leader Xi Jinping has not ruled out the use of force.
Shortly after Austin spoke on Saturday, Chinese People’s Liberation Army Lieutenant General Jing Jianfeng told Chinese state broadcaster CCTV that the US defense chief’s comments on Taiwan were “completely wrong”.
Jing accused Washington of trying to “consolidate hegemony and provoke confrontation”, adding that US actions were undermining regional peace and stability.
Late Saturday afternoon, a US Navy spokesman said US and Canadian warships were sailing through the Taiwan Strait while discussions took place in Singapore.
The transit of the destroyer USS Chung-Hoon and the frigate HIMCS Montreal was routine and occurred “through waters where the freedoms of navigation and overflight on the high seas apply under international law,” a spokeswoman for the US Navy said. , Lt. Kristina Wiedemann, in a statement.
“Cooperation like this represents the centerpiece of our approach to a safe and prosperous region where aircraft and ships of all nations can fly, sail and operate anywhere permitted by international law,” the statement added.
US X China
Austin’s comments earlier came at a tense time for US-China relations, as China recently rejected an offer by Austin to meet at the summit in Singapore, citing US sanctions on Chinese officials and companies.
Austin addressed the lack of communication in his speech on Saturday, saying he is “deeply concerned” that the People’s Republic of China “is unwilling to engage more seriously in better mechanisms for crisis management.”
“For responsible leaders, the right time to speak is anytime. The right time to speak is always. And the right time to speak up is now,” Austin said. “Dialogue is not a reward. It is a necessity.”
Austin noted that he and Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu greeted each other with a smile at a banquet on Friday night, but urged Beijing to do more.
“A cordial handshake over dinner is no substitute for a serious commitment,” he said.
Throughout his speech, Austin listed ways the US is partnering with allies in the region, saying these partnerships are bringing the region closer together and making it “more stable and resilient.”
Austin reaffirmed that the US “will continue to support our allies and partners as they defend their rights” and will maintain “our vigorous and responsible presence throughout the Indo-Pacific.”
Criticizing China for its “alarming number of risky intercepts of US and allied aircraft” in international airspace, Austin added that the US would support allies and partners against “coercion and intimidation”.
“We don’t seek conflict or confrontation,” Austin said. “But we will not back down from intimidation or coercion.”
Austin reaffirmed US readiness in the region.
“The way to prevent any bad decisions is to have an army that has combat credibility,” he said in response to a question, adding that the US “will be ready no matter what.”
Drew Thompson, senior fellow at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore, said Austin presented a “positive and inclusive” vision for the region, adding that it is a vision that has benefited Beijing for decades. .
The next move will be from Beijing. Defense Minister Li addresses the Shangri-La forum on Sunday morning.
“It will be interesting to see how General Li responds tomorrow,” Thompson said.
“In many ways, the door is open for China to engage in cooperation with the US and other countries in the region to contribute to stability,” he said.
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
