U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin says China’s recent “dangerous” behavior toward Royal Australian Air Force aircraft should “worry us all.”
Key points:
- The Secretary of Defense addressed the Shangri-La dialogue in Singapore
- Australia has accused China of endangering the lives of the Australian military
- Austin said the U.S. remained committed to providing Taiwan with the military means to defend itself
He addressed an international summit in Singapore.
Earlier this year, a RAAF surveillance plane was attacked with a laser from a Chinese Navy ship as the plane flew over the Arafura Sea in northern Australia.
Last month, a Chinese fighter jet intercepted another Australian surveillance plane as it flew over the South China Sea, releasing a flare and dropping a load of aluminum straw, part of which was sucked into the engines of the plane.
The Australian government has complained about both incidents, accusing the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of endangering the lives of the Australian military and women.
The comments have been greeted with icy reception from Beijing, which has accused Australia of being wrong.
Austin, a former U.S. Army general, said there had been “an alarming increase in the number of air interceptions and unsafe clashes at sea by EPL planes and ships.”
“This should concern us all,” he told the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.
“The stakes are especially high in the Taiwan Strait.”
The defense chief insisted that the United States and its allies would not be deterred by “Beijing’s more coercive and aggressive approach to its territorial claims.”
“We will fly, sail and operate where permitted by international law,” Austin said.
“And we will do it alongside our partners, and we will continue to be sincere about the challenges we all face.
Austin met with Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe for the first time on the sidelines of the summit.
Wei warned the United States that there would be a war if Taiwan seeks China’s independence.
“Our policy in Taiwan has not changed,” Austin said.
“We are committed to a one-China policy and we are also committed to providing Taiwan with the military means to defend itself.
“I know that countries in the region and around the world are really focused on this issue.”
Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles, who met with Austin at the summit, was also questioned about the aggression in Taiwan.
“What will serve the region and the world is to resolve tensions over the Taiwan Strait in a peaceful manner and to involve mutual agreement on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.” said Marles.
“In terms of Australia’s involvement, all we wanted to do was play any role we could to make it easier.”
Marles, who was heavily criticized by the Coalition during the recent election campaign for what he said was his hesitation over China, said the new federal government’s position was clear.
“China is not going anywhere and we all need to live together and look forward to prospering together,” he said.
“China is still Australia’s largest trading partner; China’s economic success is related to ours and the region.
“Therefore, Australia’s approach will be anchored in the decision to safeguard our national interest and our support for rules-based regional security and stability.”
Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe warned the United States that there would be a war if Taiwan seeks independence. (Reuters: Caroline Chia)
Meanwhile, Lt. Gen. Zhang Zhenzhong, a senior Chinese military official, called Mr. Austin’s speech a “confrontation.”
“There have been many baseless allegations against China,” he said.
“We expressed our strong dissatisfaction and strong opposition to these false accusations,” Lieutenant General Zhang, deputy chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Central Military Commission of China, told reporters.
“The United States is trying to form a small circle in the Asia-Pacific region with ropes in some countries to incite other countries. What should we call this rather than confrontation?”
ABC / Reuters