China War With US Will Become World Disaster

Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe made a speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on Sunday (02/06/2019). Photos / REUTERS
 
China's Defense Minister Wei Fenghe on Sunday (02/06/2019) said the war with the United States (US) would be a disaster for the world. Wei said this was a warning to Washington not to interfere in the problems of Taiwan and the South China Sea.

China has been angered by the latest steps of US President Donald Trump's administration which has increased support for the ruling stronghold in Taiwan. Washington's move includes shipping a US Navy warship through the Taiwan Strait that separates the island from mainland China.

Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, an Asian defense summit forum, Wei said China would "fight to the end" if anyone tried to disrupt relations with Taiwan, which Beijing considers to be a sacred area that will be taken by force if necessary.

Wei - China's first defense minister who spoke at the Shangri-La Dialogue since 2011 - said Beijing's military operations in Asia were intended solely for self-defense, but would not hesitate to counter attacks on its interests.

"China will not attack unless we are attacked," Wei said, warning that there would be dire consequences for clashes between China and the United States.

"Both parties realize that conflict, or war between the two, will bring disaster to both countries and the world," he said as quoted by Reuters.

The United States, like most other countries, has no formal relationship with Taiwan, but is a major support and source of weapons for the region.

On Saturday, Acting US Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan said at the Shangri-La forum that the United States would no longer "tiptoe" about China's behavior in Asia.

Shanahan's speech was critical of China, but his tone was reconciled. Wei instead took a more aggressive approach.

"There is no attempt to break down China which will succeed. Any interference in the Taiwan problem will fail," said Wei, who wore his general's uniform.

"If anyone dares to separate Taiwan from China, the Chinese military has no choice but to fight anything ... the US cannot be divided, and so is China. China must, and will, be reunited."

Relations between China and the US have become increasingly tense because of the fierce trade war, US support for Taiwan and the display of China's military power in the South China Sea, where the United States also patrols freedom of navigation.