SINGAPORE: Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun issued a stern warning Sunday, declaring his military’s readiness to “forcefully” prevent Taiwan’s independence. At the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Dong emphasized the need for increased exchanges with the United States to manage differences and avoid conflict.
Dong’s comments followed a significant face-to-face meeting with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, the first in 18 months. The meeting, lasting over an hour, marked a crucial step in re-establishing communication channels between the two military powers. Austin confirmed that telephone conversations between US and Chinese military leaders would resume soon, and Beijing praised the meeting for stabilizing security relations.
The timing of this year’s Shangri-La Dialogue is critical, coming shortly after China’s military exercises around Taiwan and escalating tensions following the inauguration of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te. Dong reiterated China’s firm stance on Taiwan, warning that any attempts at independence would be crushed by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army.
In a broader context, the Biden administration has been engaging with China to mitigate tensions. Recent high-level visits by US officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, aimed to restore military-to-military dialogue, crucial for preventing disputes from escalating into conflicts.
The backdrop of these efforts includes several incidents that have strained US-China relations. These include China’s suspension of military communications after Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan in 2022, and subsequent events like the alleged Chinese spy balloon over US airspace and continued US military support for Taiwan. Additionally, China’s anger over US defence ties in the Asia-Pacific and frequent military activities in the region further complicate the relationship.
Despite these challenges, both nations acknowledge the importance of maintaining open lines of communication to manage their rivalry and prevent potential crises.
