TAIPEI, TAIWAN – China’s defense minister has called Washington a “bully” and vowed to “fight to the end” to seize Taiwan, sparking a war of words with its US counterpart. In a militant and wide-ranging speech Sunday at an annual defense conference in Singapore, General Wei Fenghe repeatedly accused Washington of what he described as “interference” in China’s internal affairs, including the Taiwan issue and the South. Sea of China. “Some in the US are trying to suppress China on all fronts. “If you want a confrontation, we will fight to the end,” Wei told the Shangri-La Dialogue. “If anyone forces a war in China, the military will not be discouraged.” His comments were part of a wider controversy with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, who said in a speech to the conference a day earlier that Washington would face Beijing’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region. Wei’s remarks, which were intended to outline Beijing’s vision for the regional order, were aimed directly at the United States. “The People’s Liberation Army has fought many strong opponents and won many victories. We do not cause problems, but we will not give in to the challenge. “We will not intimidate others, but we will not allow others to intimidate us,” he said. Stressing that Beijing is promoting co-operation and that its military development is only for defense capabilities, Wei said: “China will not be the bully. “We all have clear eyes about who the bully is.” In the first meeting, the US and Chinese defense leaders called for more communication Beijing claims Taiwan, a self-governing democracy that is considered a province of China. For years, Beijing has vowed to achieve what it calls “reunification” and has threatened military force if necessary. “Let me be clear: if anyone dares to secede Taiwan from China, we will not hesitate to fight. “We will fight at all costs and we will fight until the end,” he said. Wei said China’s role as an emerging power should not be seen as a threat. “China’s growth is a historical trend. “It is neither possible nor logical to try to stop it,” he said. Austin and Wei first met in Singapore on Friday, and both agreed on the importance of communication and risk reduction, which was seen as a sign that the temperature of the rivalry had dropped. Calling for a “healthy and stable relationship between a large country,” Wei told Austin that the two countries should not allow their differences to escalate, according to China’s state-run CCTV network. The Department of Defense said Austin “discussed the need to manage competition responsibly and maintain open lines of communication.” Taiwan offered hope after their departure from Hong Kong. Now, they are leaving again. Eva Dou and Michelle Ye Hee Lee in Shenzhen, China contributed to this exhibition.
