Regarding the 'Taiwan Issue Indo-Pacific Strategy'... US and China "Oppose Status Quo Change" vs "Ready for All-Out War"

Shangri-La Dialogue Continues with Bilateral Talks and Keynote Speech

Public Criticism of Taiwan Issue and US Indo-Pacific Strategy

Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop (right) attending the 19th Asia Security Conference (Shangri-La Dialogue) poses for a commemorative photo on the 11th at the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (center) and Japanese Defense Minister Kishi Nobuo before the South Korea-U.S.-Japan defense ministers' meeting. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] At the Asia Security Conference (Shangri-La Dialogue) held in Singapore from the 10th to the 12th, the defense chiefs of the United States and China publicly clashed over the Taiwan issue and the U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, in his keynote speech on the 11th, stated, "We have witnessed an increase in provocative and destabilizing military activities near Taiwan," and mentioned, "Chinese military aircraft have flown near Taiwan almost daily in record numbers over the past few months." While affirming that the U.S. 'One China' policy remains unchanged, he openly criticized, "We still focus on peace, stability, and maintaining the status quo in the Taiwan Strait, but China's actions pose threats that undermine security, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific."

The following day, Chinese Minister of National Defense Wei Fenghe warned in his keynote speech, "If anyone dares to split Taiwan (separate it from China), the Chinese military will fight to the end regardless of the cost." He emphasized, "Unification is the great cause of the nation and the trend of history, and no one or any force can stop it."

He accused the U.S., saying, "Some countries abandon the One China principle and commitments on the Taiwan issue, support the wrongful actions of Taiwan independence forces, and frequently play the 'Taiwan card,'" and "interfere in other countries' affairs and internal matters using domestic laws." Earlier, during a bilateral meeting with Secretary Austin on the 10th, Minister Wei stated, "The U.S. recently announced another arms sale to Taiwan, which seriously undermines China's sovereignty and security interests. China firmly opposes and strongly condemns this."

Under the Biden administration, the fourth arms export to Taiwan was recently disclosed. While the U.S. views the repeated incursions of Chinese military aircraft into Taiwan's ADIZ as attempts to change the status quo based on intentions for forceful unification, China defines U.S. arms sales to Taiwan as attempts to change the status quo by empowering Taiwan independence forces. This sharp confrontation between the U.S. and China, resembling a new Cold War, was clearly evident at this Asia Security Conference.

The two sides also clashed over the U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy, which includes Taiwan's security. Secretary Austin said in his speech, "Today, the Indo-Pacific is at the center of the U.S. grand strategy," and expressed a strong intention to assert presence. He stated, "The U.S. does not seek confrontation or conflict, does not pursue a new Cold War or an Asia version of NATO, and does not intend to divide the region into hostile blocs." He also emphasized, "A rules-based international order is important in the Indo-Pacific region as it is in Europe."

General John Aquilino, Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, pointed out in a separate meeting that the world is experiencing the most dangerous period potentially since World War II, and that China, along with Russia and North Korea, is causing global instability.

In response, China strongly criticized the U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy as a prelude to building an Asia version of NATO and condemned the formation of regional 'small groups.'

Lieutenant General Zhang Zhenzhong, Deputy Chief of the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission, who attended the Shangri-La Dialogue, bluntly criticized, "The U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy is aimed at maintaining U.S. hegemony and fostering division and confrontation," and said, "The Indo-Pacific strategy intends to trap the Asia-Pacific region in a geopolitical game and form small groups among certain countries." He questioned, "The U.S. has already thrown the Middle East and Europe into chaos; is it now trying to destabilize the Asia-Pacific region?" and emphasized, "The U.S. strategy is meant to destroy peace in the region."

Earlier, the U.S. and Chinese defense chiefs engaged in a sharp exchange over Russia's invasion of Ukraine during their bilateral meeting.

Secretary Austin urged China not to provide material support to Russia, and later Minister Wei rebutted in his speech, "China has never provided material support to Russia," targeting the U.S. by saying everyone knows who is fueling this conflict.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.