US secretary Austin warns China: “Conflict in the Taiwan Strait would be devastating”

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US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (69) has warned China against military action against Taiwan. “Conflict in the Taiwan Strait would be devastating,” Austin said Saturday at Singapore’s Shangri-La Dialogue, an annual security conference. Such an escalation would affect the global economy “in a way we can’t imagine”.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (63) is also taking part in the forum in the city-state as part of a trip to Asia attended by defense politicians and experts. Upon arrival, the SPD politician advocated an expansion of German involvement in the Indo-Pacific region, which plays a central role due to its economic and security policies.

Given the threat posed by China and its disputed territorial claims, particularly in the South China Sea, the US Secretary of Defense highlighted the increasing US security cooperation with countries in the region. The United States advocated for a “free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific”—with freedom of navigation and overflight for all countries.

Li Shangfu threatens to conquer Taiwan

No country should be allowed to claim control of shared sea routes alone, Austin said. The 2016 judgment of the Court of Arbitration in The Hague, which rejected China’s claims in the South China Sea, is legally binding. The US has supported its allies in the region to resist coercive measures from China. “We are not seeking conflict or confrontation,” Austin said. “But we will not shy away from intimidation and coercion.”

This is especially important in the Taiwan Strait, the Pentagon chief explained. The US rejected a “unilateral change in the status quo” from either side. From his point of view, conflict is “neither imminent nor inevitable”. In any case, the United States is determined to maintain peace and security in the Taiwan Strait, which is so important to global shipping and trade.

China considers Taiwan part of the People’s Republic. However, the democratic island republic of 23 million people has had an independent government for more than seven decades.

China’s new defense minister Li Shangfu, 65, threatened to reconquer Taiwan after his arrival in Singapore: “We will never promise to refrain from the use of force,” Chinese state media quoted him as saying. “China must be united.”

US supplies arms to Taiwan

Austin expressed concern over the lack of communication between superpowers China and the US, whose relations have reached an all-time low. Open communication links are especially important to the armed forces and defense politicians on both sides, Austin said. “This is the right time to talk.”

Referring to a passing meeting with General Li Shangfu the night before, Austin said, “A firm handshake over dinner is no substitute for a factual argument.” The Chinese side had rejected its request for a meeting with the opposing side in the margins of the conference. One point of contention is that the US imposed sanctions on the general in 2018, which Beijing is calling for a lifting.

The United States remains committed to its one-China policy, recognizing Beijing’s leadership as China’s legitimate government, Austin assured. At the same time, they wanted to maintain the status quo and abide by the obligations of the US “Taiwan Relations Act”, which aims to advance Taiwan’s defense capabilities. Until now, it mainly concerns arms deliveries. However, US President Joe Biden (80) has promised several times that US troops will also come to the aid of Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack. (SDA)

Source: Blick