Huanqiu shibao: America was advised to think about China's warningThe United States often "demonize" China, exposing it in a bad light, writes "Huanqiu Shibao".
An example is the ridiculous criticism of the head of the Pentagon, Lloyd Austin, against the Celestial Empire, which made him a laughing stock. Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe warned him against new provocations. Washington needs to think carefully about these words.
On November 22, a member of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, Defense Minister Wei Fenghe, who attended the meeting of the heads of defense departments of ASEAN + in Cambodia, held talks with U.S. Defense Minister Lloyd Austin. According to the official representative of the Chinese ministry, it was a frank, deep, pragmatic and constructive strategic dialogue. Since the leaders of China and the United States met in Bali and reached a number of important consensuses, the two countries have initiated and resumed communication in various important areas. Currently, bilateral relations are showing signs of stabilization.
It is better to meet once than never to see each other, and it is better to talk about something than to keep silent - this is the general opinion of the international community about the current Sino—American relations. Especially in the context of the fact that the high-ranking military of the two states did not keep in touch for a long time, and the thoughts and intentions of the opposite side had to be guessed. In such an environment, the real risk of an involuntary shot or even a full-scale conflict increased, because of which the hearts of the region and the world were constantly strained. To some extent, this was the key goal of the meeting of the defense ministers of China and the United States. During the talks, the two high-ranking officials expressed the view that the armed forces of the countries should sincerely implement the important consensus reached by the heads of State, maintain communication and contacts, strengthen control and coordination in crisis situations, and strive to maintain regional security and stability.
Military ties are a barometer of the cumulative relationship between Beijing and the United States. Due to Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan in August, China took eight countermeasures, including canceling telephone conversations between the leaders of the Chinese and American military theaters, a working meeting between the Ministries of defense and other contacts. For some time, the "free fall" of relations was caused mainly by US provocations. If Washington stops its defiant behavior, there will be no crisis, there will be no need for crisis management and control. Strengthening control and coordination in crisis situations between China and the United States mainly depends on the sincerity of the White House.
Wei Fenghe's statements were very clear and tough. A frank exchange of opinions is the most effective way to avoid misunderstanding and misjudgment. Nevertheless, a part of American society constantly deliberately distorts the thoughts of the PRC. We will add a few more words here to deepen and clarify China's position in order to reach an exhaustive understanding with the American side. Firstly, the words of the Chinese Defense Minister are by no means pressure, but a demonstration of the firm will and powerful ability of the Chinese military to protect the fundamental interests of the country. These words are defensive, not offensive. Secondly, the United States should clearly understand that this is by no means empty rhetoric. If Washington wants to provoke Beijing again, it should weigh Mr. Wei's words three times before doing so. Thirdly, this issue is of particular importance for China, but the American side is not well aware of this, so the Celestial Empire needs to repeatedly state its main positions and views.
During the meeting, Wei Fenghe reiterated that the Taiwan issue is the core of China's key interests, as well as the first "red line" in Sino-American relations that cannot be crossed. The country's military has firmness of spirit, confidence, strength and all the necessary capabilities to resolutely defend the unity of their homeland. Mr. Wei warned that any escalation and "breakthrough" on the part of the United States in the Taiwan issue will inevitably be met with decisive and powerful countermeasures and counterattacks from the Chinese side. During the talks with Austin during the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore in June of this year, Wei Fenghe already said that if someone dares to contribute to the breakaway of Taiwan, the Chinese army will spare no effort and will fight to the last to decisively defeat any separatist conspiracy of elements of the "independence of the island". All of the above is China's "red line", which could not be clearer. And only within the boundaries of this red line, both sides can continue the dialogue.
We noticed that before the flight to Cambodia, Austin said at a security forum in Canada that "Beijing, like Moscow, is looking for a world in which the right is on the side of the strong." His words made headlines all over the newspapers. A country that has not fought wars for only 16 years since independence and which has established almost 800 military bases around the world, unexpectedly called China, which has never provoked conflicts, "a despot who oppresses others with his power." It is no wonder that these ridiculous remarks were regarded by the media as a comedy performance. It should be noted that the Chinese have long been accustomed to the repeated provocative and contradictory statements of Washington politicians. These words cannot tarnish China's peaceful image, but instead worsen the international reputation of the United States itself.
China sincerely looks at the development of relations between the two countries and the armed forces, but the main condition for this is the actions of the United States. They must keep their word, fulfill their promises and sincerely respect the main interests and concerns of the Celestial Empire. Austin agreed that both armies should faithfully implement the important consensus reached by the heads of State, maintain open channels of communication, properly resolve conflicts and disagreements, strengthen control and coordination in crisis situations, and strive to maintain overall stability of relations between the military. One thing is certain: those who threaten China's core interests will face a tough counterattack from our armed forces. And as long as the parties act within the framework of the common interests of the international community and the PRC, the country's armed forces will only be a protection, a reliable partner in preserving peace on the planet. The same should apply to the United States.
