- China’s defense minister accuses the United States of being a “bully” and “hijacking” countries in Asia.
- Wei Fenghe says China will “fight to the very end” to stop Taiwanese independence.
- The speech capped a weekend of confrontational exchanges between the American and Chinese military chiefs.
Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe accused the US of being a “bully” and “hijacking” nations in the area; saying his country will “fight to the very end” to prevent Taiwanese independence. Wei warned the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s top defence conference, that Taiwan is first and foremost China’s Taiwan; and that China will “not hesitate” to destroy any attempt by the self-governed island to “secede.”
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The remark concluded a weekend of combative discussions between American and Chinese military commanders; which occurred only weeks after US President Joe Biden indicated the US would respond “militarily” if China invaded Taiwan.
Wei also chastised US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin who had previously told the conference that; China was engaging in coercive, aggressive, and hazardous behaviour; that threatened to “undermine peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.”
Read More: China will ‘not hesitate to start war’ over Taiwan, Beijing tells US
