During the Shangri-La defense forum in Singapore, China's defense minister emphasized the importance of renewed military-to-military communications with the United States amidst escalating tensions in the Asia-Pacific region. He expressed China's stance against allowing geopolitical conflicts or wars to disrupt the region's stability.
China's assertiveness in claiming the South China Sea has led to conflicts, particularly with the Philippines, which has seen incidents of Chinese vessels ramming Filipino ships. The defense minister accused the Philippines of provoking China with the support of external powers.
On the other hand, the U.S. reiterated its strong support for the Philippines, emphasizing the country's sovereign rights under international law. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin highlighted the significance of maintaining open communication channels with China to prevent misunderstandings and potential escalations.
The defense minister also addressed the issue of Taiwan, stating China's firm stance on reunification and opposition to any moves towards Taiwanese independence. He warned against any attempts to separate Taiwan from China, emphasizing that such actions would lead to self-destruction.
Both China and the U.S. expressed openness to cooperation but stressed the need for mutual efforts to enhance military exchanges. The in-person meeting between top Chinese and American defense officials marked a significant step in reestablishing communication channels that had broken down in 2022.
Overall, the discussions at the Shangri-La defense forum highlighted the complex dynamics in the Asia-Pacific region and the importance of diplomatic efforts to manage tensions and prevent conflicts.
