Watch out for US’ attempt to recreate Ukraine crisis in Asia, provoke on Taiwan
crucial because external powers have intensified their attempts to pull military alliances and incite conflict, posing a growing threat to regional stability.
The US is attempting to sow similar turmoil in Asia after igniting the Russia-Ukraine conflict through NATO’s eastern expansion and inflaming tensions between Russia and the West, Li Haidong, a professor from the Institute of International Relations at the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times.
Wei’s statement is a response to interference of forces from outside the region, particularly those from the US, as it has kept making provocations and instigations over hot topics like the Taiwan question and the South China Sea issue, a Chinese military expert said on Wednesday, requesting anonymity.
Wei also stressed on Wednesday that China does not covet the interests of other countries, but its resolve to defend its own interests is as firm as a rock, reiterating China’s position on the Taiwan question. Wei said Taiwan is part of China and resolving the Taiwan question is a matter for the Chinese, adding the Chinese military is unyielding, assured, confident and able to defeat any intruders.
During his meeting with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on Tuesday, Wei delivered similar messages, emphasizing that the Taiwan question is the core of China’s core interests and the first insurmountable red line in China-US relations. Taiwan is China’s Taiwan, and the settlement of the Taiwan question is the Chinese people’s own affair and brooks no foreign interference, he stressed.
The cross-Straits situation has deteriorated, especially after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s highly provocative visit to the island of Taiwan.
Moreover, aside from trying to internationalize the Taiwan question and touting its China-threat rhetoric, the US has also ramped up pulling small cliques, pushing the military alliance NATO’s expansion to Asia and forging military alliances, including AUKUS in the Asia-Pacific region, which analysts said may lead to arms races and more disturbance.
How to thwart external forces from fomenting conflicts in the region has become an urgent issue for China and ASEAN members. As for the international community’s displeasure with the US for its reckless role in the Ukraine issue and other international affairs, ASEAN members are becoming more watchful of US actions in the area, Li said.
China has shown willingness and sincerity to positively interact, communicate and work with Southeast Asian countries in jointly safeguarding peace and stability in the region, including around the island of Taiwan and in the South China Sea, and the US’ true face as a troublemaker in the region is also exposed, the anonymous expert said. “With more cooperation and solidarity, there will be fewer loopholes for forces from outside the region to exploit,” the expert said.
Wei also said that China has always committed to injecting stability and positive energy to the world. China’s peaceful development will offer new opportunities for global development and will play as a constructive role in defending world peace and stability. The Chinese military is a peaceful military and is willing to work with the militaries of other countries to continue contributing to world peace.
Wei noted that while the security in Asia has remained stable, there are also concerns. He said at the conference that the defense departments of all countries should uphold the centrality of ASEAN, practice the Global Security Initiative, and focus on pragmatic cooperation.
Li said that Wei’s participation at the ASEAN Military Ministers’ Meeting-Plus illustrates the consistency of China’s defense strategy, which entails defending domestic sovereignty, preserving regional peace and pursuing mutually beneficial relationships with neighbors.
The Chinese defense chief’s emphasis on regional cooperation and seeking common interests is actually the mainstream of the defense ministers’ meeting.
More ASEAN and Asian nations are paying close attention to how to improve coordination to ensure regional prosperity rather than following the US’ lead on contentious issues, experts told the Global Times. Regional leaders also have the wisdom and capability to resist any attempt that sabotages the stability in the region, they said.