The United States’ Indo-Pacific strategy is fuelling future conflict: China

*Paromita Das

In a strongly worded response to his American counterpart, China’s State Councilor and Defense Minister General Wei Fenghe stated that the US Indo-Pacific strategy is fueling future conflict.

Fenghe stated that the bilateral relationship between the two superpowers is at a crossroads and that it is up to the US to improve it.

Fenghe, speaking at Asia’s premier security gathering, the Shangri-La Dialog, urged the US to stop “smearing and containing China.”
In the midst of rising tensions with the US over the island, Fenghe stated that China will “fight to the bitter end” to prevent Taiwan from declaring independence.

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said at Asia’s premier defense forum that recent Chinese military activity around the self-governing island threatens to change the status quo.

He had criticized China for its “consistent increase in provocative and destabilising military activity near Taiwan.”
China has increased military provocations against democratic Taiwan in recent years in order to intimidate it into accepting Beijing’s demands for unification with the communist mainland.

Although China claims Taiwan as part of its territory, the two separated in 1949 during a civil war. Beijing has warned not to underestimate its determination to protect its national interests, and those who support Taiwan’s independence will face repercussions.