Speaking at the 20th International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La dialogue on Saturday, June 3, 2023, Lloyd Austin, the U.S Secretary of Defense emphasized that Washington would not stand for any “coercion and bullying” of its allies and partners by China.
Austin urged for support for Washington’s vision of a “free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific within a world of rules and rights” as the best course to counter increasing Chinese assertiveness in the region.
The U.S. has been expanding its own activities around the Indo-Pacific to counter sweeping territorial claims from China, including regularly sailing through and flying over the Taiwan Strait and in the South China Sea.
“We are committed to ensuring that every country can fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows and every country, large or small, must remain free to conduct lawful maritime activities.”
Lloyd Austin
Austin sought to assure China that the U.S. remained “deeply committed” to the longstanding one-China policy, which recognizes Beijing as the government of China but allows informal relations with Taiwan, and continues to “categorically oppose unilateral changes to the status quo from either side.”
The U.S Defence Chief iterated that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine had served to underline how dangerous the world would be if big countries were able to “just invade their peaceful neighbors with impunity.”
“Conflict is neither imminent nor inevitable. Deterrence is strong today; and it’s our job to keep it that way. The whole world has a stake in maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.”
Lloyd Austin
Austin noted that the U.S. had provided millions of doses of the COVID-19 vaccine during the height of the pandemic and is regularly involved in disaster relief and humanitarian assistance efforts in the region. He said it is working to combat climate change, illegal fishing and ensure that supply chains do not suffer disruptions; addressing many issues of importance to Asian-Pacific nations.
“We’re doubling down on our alliances and partnerships,” he said.
He said the U.S. is also committed to deterring North Korea’s missile threat and China’s claims on Taiwan, a self-governing island democracy that Beijing says is its territory, and said Washington has been stepping up defense planning, coordination and training with partner nations in the region.
“To be clear, we do not seek conflict or confrontation but we will not flinch in the face of bullying or coercion.”
Lloyd Austin
Li Shangfu, China’s Defense Minister, declined Austin’s invitation to talk on the sidelines of the conference, though the two shook hands before sitting down at opposite sides of the same table together as the forum opened on Friday, June 2, 2023.
Austin said that this was not enough. “A cordial handshake over dinner is no substitute for a substantive engagement,” he said.
“For responsible defense leaders, the right time to talk is anytime. The right time to talk is every time. And the right time to talk is now,” he added.
Austin Accused Of Making False Accusations Against China
Chinese Lt. Gen. Jing Jianfeng, a senior member of the delegation accompanying Defense Minister Gen. Li Shangfu, accused Austin of “overtly or covertly making false accusations against China” in his speech.
Speaking with reporters after Austin’s presentation, Jing alleged the U.S. has been “deceiving and exploiting” Asia-Pacific nations to advance its own self-interests to preserve “its dominant position” in the region.
He asserted that Washington has been holding on to alliances that are “remnants of the Cold War” and establishing new pacts, like the AUKUS agreement with Britain and Australia and the “Quad” grouping with Australia, India and Japan “to divide the world into ideologically-driven camps and provoke confrontation.”
Jing stressed that by contrast, “China, is committed to the region’s development and prosperity.”
Also, Jing accused the U.S. of hollowing out the one-China policy, accusing Washington of supporting Taiwanese separatists without citing any evidence, and reiterating Beijing’s claim that “Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s sovereign territory.”
“There’s no room for us to concede or compromise,” he said.
He added that “China has indisputable sovereignty over the South China Sea islands and the adjacent waters.”
