Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun predicted the “self-destruction” of those who support Taiwanese independence. Dong’s blunt statements came during his speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue, a prominent regional security forum held in Singapore.
“The Chinese People’s Liberation Army has always been an indestructible and powerful force in defense of the unification of the motherland, and will act with determination and force at all times to stop Taiwan’s independence and ensure that it never succeeds in its attempts,” emphasized the head of the Defense portfolio.
Dong warned that “whoever dares to separate Taiwan from China will be crushed into pieces and suffer their own destruction.” These words resonated strongly within the Shangri-La Dialogue, considered a barometer of relations between the United States and China.
The relationship with the United States
The intimidating tone of the Chinese minister’s statements contrasted with the apparent spirit of detente that had prevailed days before, when he met with his American counterpart, Lloyd Austin, in the first substantial face-to-face talks between the defense chiefs of both countries in 18 months.
After that meeting, Austin stated that telephone conversations between the military commanders of the United States and China would resume “in the coming months,” while Beijing celebrated the “stabilization” of security relations between the two powers.
However, Dong’s speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue evidenced the hardening of China’s stance on sensitive issues such as Taiwan and the South China Sea, where clashes with Philippine ships have occurred.
“China has maintained sufficient restraint in the face of rights violations and provocations, but this has its limits,” warned the Chinese Defense Minister, in a clear message to countries in the region that challenge Beijing’s territorial claims.
Analysts and officials present at the forum agreed in calling Dong’s speech the “most intimidating” heard from China at the Shangri-La Dialogue, reflecting the growing tensions around Taiwan and the South China Sea.
A U.S. official, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue, said that “countries in the region and around the world continue to have serious concerns about coercive activities.” [chinas] in the East and South China Seas, in the Taiwan Strait and beyond.”
Military exercises in Taiwan
These concerns were amplified by China’s recent military exercises around Taiwan, a week before the Shangri-La Dialogue, in response to the speech of the island’s new president, described by Beijing as a “dangerous separatist.”
Despite the threatening rhetoric, Dong insisted on the importance of maintaining open communication channels with the United States and other international actors. “We think we need more exchanges precisely because there are differences between our two militaries,” she said.
However, the Chinese Defense Minister refused to answer questions about China’s role in conflicts such as the war between Russia and Ukraine or the confrontation between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, choosing to focus his speech on the Taiwanese issue.
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