China’s defense minister has vowed to “fight to the end” to defend its claim over Taiwan.
“Let me make this clear: if anyone dares to split Taiwan out of China, we will not hesitate to fight. We will fight at all costs. We will fight to the very end. This is the only choice for China,” State Councilor and Defense Minister General Wei Fenghe in a speech delivered at the Shangri-La Dialogue on Sunday.
“The PLA [People’s Liberation Army] would have no choice but to fight … and crush any attempt of Taiwan independence, safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
In a wide-ranging speech on Sunday at an annual defense conference in Singapore, Gen. Wei Fenghe called Washington a “bully” and repeatedly accused U.S. of what he described as “interference” in China’s internal affairs, including over the issue of Taiwan and territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
His comments came after U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a speech earlier that Washington would counter Beijing’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region. Austin said that the U.S. will continue to fulfill commitments under the Taiwan Relations Act, including assisting Taiwan in maintaining a sufficient self-defense capability.
He also said that the United States has witnessed an increase in provocative and destabilizing military activity near Taiwan. “We remain focused on maintaining peace, stability, and the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. But the [People’s Republic of China’s] moves threaten to undermine security, and stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific” he said.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met his Chinese counterpart for the first time in Singapore on Friday, and agreed on the importance of crisis communication and reducing risk. Secretary Austin and General Wei discussed U.S.-PRC defense relations and regional security issues.
