‘Fight to the end’: China sounds US warning

While putting forward a policy formula for more stable relations based on peaceful coexistence, China’s Defence Minister also urged the US not to meddle.

China's Defence Minister Wei Fenghe attends the Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore. Picture: AFP

China’s Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe has warned the United States that Beijing would “fight to the end” if Washington initiated a conflict or confrontation, as he put forward a policy formula for more stable relations based on peaceful coexistence.

Speaking at an Asian defence summit in Singapore, General Wei urged for an enhancement of strategic trust between China and the US to try and avoid a miscalculation and better manage risks to prevent conflict.

But he warned that better bilateral relations would depend on Washington dropping its pursuit of Chinese containment and refraining from interference in China’s internal relations, including on the sensitive issue of Taiwan. He said that all countries should treat each other as equals.

General Wei urged Washington not to view Beijing as an adversary or an enemy, arguing that China favoured an approach of peaceful coexistence rather than “hegemony and power politics”.

He also warned that comments from US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin on Washington’s Pacific strategy reaffirmed Chinese suspicions that America was engaged in an attempt to “build an exclusive small group in the name of a free and open Pacific, to hijack countries in our region and target one specific country”.

“It is a strategy to create conflict and confrontation to contain and encircle others. China holds that for any strategy to be viable, it should adapt to the historic and global trends and contribute to regional peace, stability and the shared interests of all.”

On Taiwanese reunification, General Wei said Beijing would not hesitate to use force and “fight to the very end” if other nations intervened.

“China will definitely realise its reunification. China’s reunification is a great cause of the Chinese nation. And it is a historical trend that no-one, no force can stop,” he said.

“Those who attempt to pursue Taiwanese independence in an attempt to split China will definitely come to no good end,” he said. “The United States fought a civil war for its unity. Though China never wants such a civil war, we will resolutely crash any attempt to pursue Taiwanese independence.

“Let me make this 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 to the very end. This is the only choice for China.

“No-one should underestimate the resolve and the capabilities of China’s armed forces to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he said.

In a clear reference to the US, General Wei warned that a country had violated its commitment to the “one China” principle as it applied to Taiwan. He also argued that China was committed to turning the South China Sea into a “sea of peace, friendship and co-operation” and that Beijing respected freedom of navigation but had been provoked by the actions of the US.

Wei Fenghe urged Washington not to meddle in China’s affairs. Picture: AFP

He urged America not to meddle.

“Some big power has long practised navigation hegemony on the pretext of freedom of navigation. It has flexed its muscles by sending warships and war planes on the rampage in the South China Sea,” he said. “We countries in this region must stay vigilant and prevent some countries outside this region from meddling in the affairs in our region and turning the South China Sea into troubled waters.”

General Wei said the relationship between China and the US was at a “critical and crucial juncture” and believed stable ties served the cause of global peace and development.

“Confrontation will benefit neither our two countries nor other countries. China opposes using competition to define the bilateral relations. It will be a historic and strategic mistake to insist on taking China as a threat and an adversary or even an enemy.

“We require the US side to stop smearing and containing China. Stop interfering in China’s internal affairs and stop harming China’s interests. The bilateral relationship cannot improve unless the US side can do that.”

He referenced a video conference and phone conversation between Xi Jinping and Joe Biden in November last year and March this year, agreeing that China and the US should live in peace and avoid confrontation.

“However, some people in the US still try to suppress and contain China on all fronts. China’s position is very clear. If you want to talk, we should talk with mutual respect. If you want to engage, we should seek peaceful coexistence. If you want to co-operate we should promote mutual benefits and win-win results.

“If you want confrontation we will fight to the end. The two militaries should make positive efforts for a stable bilateral relationship.

“If someone forces a war on China, the PLA will not flinch. The Chinese and US militaries should enhance strategic trust, avoid misunderstanding and a miscalculation, manage risks and crises and prevent frictions and conflict.”