China castigates U.S. for ‘power politics’
Key Beijing document contains threats to Taiwan and Tibet
BEIJING — China accused the United States on Wednesday of undermining global stability with “power politics” as it issued the first comprehensive outline of its policies since President Xi Jinping came to power more than six years ago.
The U.S. was the first country mentioned in the Defence Ministry document’s opening section about “prominent destabilizing factors” and “profound changes” in the international security environment.
“The U.S. has adjusted its national security and defence strategies, and adopted unilateral policies,” China said in the document.
“It has provoked and intensified competition among countries, significantly increased its defence expenditure ... and undermined global strategic stability.”
The document said China will not renounce the use of force in efforts to reunify Taiwan with the mainland and vowed to take all necessary military measures to defeat “separatists.”
China listed among its top priorities its resolve to contain “Taiwan independence” and combat what it considers separatist forces in Tibet and the far west region of Xinjiang.
While highlighting China’s “defensive” approach, the report also pledged to “surely counterattack if attacked.”
China’s paramilitary police have helped Xinjiang authorities “take out 1,588 violent terrorist gangs and capture 12,995 terrorists,” the report said.
The U.S., independent analysts and human rights groups have estimated that around a million Muslims have been detained in internment camps as part of what the government calls a counterterrorism campaign.
Former Uighur and Kazakh detainees and their families have accused China of punishing religious expression and separating children from their parents.
They say members of their predominantly Muslim ethnic groups have been arbitrarily detained and subject to political indoctrination.
China has long called the Dalai Lama a dangerous separatist. But the exiled Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader maintains that he only wants a greater degree of autonomy for the region.
Defence Ministry spokesperson Wu Qian said the threat of Taiwan separatism is growing and warned that those who are seeking the democratic island’s independence will meet a dead end.
“If anyone dares to separate Taiwan from China, the Chinese army will certainly fight, resolutely defending the country’s sovereign unity and territorial integrity,” Wu said.
Taiwan split from the Communist Party-ruled mainland China amid civil war in 1949. China maintains that Taiwan is part of its territory and seeks “complete reunification.”
The U.S. has repeatedly raised Beijing’s ire by selling arms to Taiwan. While the U.S. does not have formal diplomatic ties with the island, U.S. law requires that it provide Taiwan with sufficient defence equipment and services for self-defence.
Earlier this month, the U.S. tentatively approved the sale of $2.2 billion in arms to Taiwan — a proposal that had prompted China to threaten sanctions against the U.S. Taiwan’s defence ministry said it made the request in light of a growing military threat from China.
“The Western world, led by the United States, continues to strengthen its ability to contain China,” said Hong Kong-based military analyst Song Zhongping.
U.S. actions on Taiwan, the South China Sea, North Korea and Iran have all contributed to making the U.S. the “initiator” of China’s security concerns, he said.
The release of the report is to “warn the Taiwan independence forces and relevant parties in the U.S. that they should not underestimate China’s determination,” Song said.
The report also pointed to U.S., Japanese and Australian moves to beef up their military presence in the Asia-Pacific as bringing uncertainties to the region.