Austin Condemns China's 'Provocative' Military Activity Near Taiwan

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin condemned China's "provocative and destabilizing" military activity near Taiwan.

Austin's remarks came after his Chinese counterpart threatened that Beijing "will not hesitate to start a war" if the island declares independence.

"We are witnessing a steady increase in provocative and destabilizing military activity near Taiwan," Austin said at the Shangri-La security summit in Singapore.

"Our position on Taiwan has not changed. The United States respects the one-China policy," He added, stressing the need to "adhere to the current fait accompli."

He also emphasized the US's fulfillment of its obligations under Taiwan Relations Act, including helping Taiwan maintain a sufficient self-defense capability.

It is worth mentioning that, Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe affirmed, on Friday, that Taiwan is part of China’s territory and warned the US that Beijing would “resolutely thwart” any foreign interference in “separatist attempts” by the island.

The remarks came during a joint press conference with US Defense Minister Lloyd Austin following a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue, an annual security forum held in Singapore, in the first face-to-face meeting between the two superpowers since January 2021.

“The Chinese People’s Liberation Army will take effective measures to resolutely thwart any form of external interference and ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist attempts, and resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Wei said, according to Chinese state-run television CCTV.

Furthermore, he noted that Beijing urged Washington to “immediately withdraw” from selling military equipment to Taiwan and cut military ties with the island, “to avoid further damage to the relationship between the two countries and the two militaries.”

He also assured that China hopes to “establish a healthy and stable relationship with the US” and advised Washington to take a “rational” view of its “growth and development” and not “attack, defame China or interfere in its internal affairs”.