Chinese Defence Minister Wei Fenghe said on Sunday that it was up to the United States to improve the bilateral relationship, as ties were at a critical juncture.
minister said that China only sought peace and stability, and was not an aggressor, he called on the United States to “strengthen solidarity and oppose confrontation and division”.
He said China firmly rejected “US smearing, accusations and even threats” in Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin’s speech on Saturday.
“We request the US side to stop smearing and containing China. Stop interfering in China’s internal affairs. The bilateral relationship cannot improve unless the US side can do that,” Wei, told the Shangri-La Dialogue.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has taken centre stage at the meeting, and Wei made a point of saying China supported peace talks and opposed “providing weapons, applying maximum pressure”.
“What is the root cause of this crisis? Who is the mastermind behind this? Who loses the most? And who stands to gain the most? Who is promoting peace and who is adding fuel to the fire? I think we all know the answers to these questions,” he said.
Addressing the issue of Taiwan, Wei said China’s position on the island, which Beijing views as a province, was unchanged. He said the Chinese government sought “peaceful reunification” with Taiwan but reserved “other options”. “China will definitely realise its reunification,” Wei said. “Those who pursue Taiwan independence in an attempt to split China will definitely come to no good end.” AGENCIES
