The US Minister of Defense Austin warns that once the conflict of the Taiwan Strait will be "devastating", the Taiwan Strait is peaceful and stable.He also criticized China to reject the dialogue between the two countries' defense ministers and shouted that "now is the right time for dialogue."

In the context of

In the context of the intensified competition between China and the United States and the increasingly complicated international geographical politics, Austin delivered a speech on Saturday (June 3) in the Shangri -La dialogue held in Singapore.This is the second time he has attended the Xianghui as a chief.

Austin has sorted out the course of the United States and regional allies and partners to actively deepen its military relations in the past year. It is intended to show the United States' enhancement of its leading Asia -Pacific security system. Taking Russia's invasion of Ukraine as an example, emphasizing the safety and prosperity of the Asia -Pacific region cannot be seen.For granted.

He criticized the Chinese PLA recently to intercept U.S. military aircraft in an aggressive and unprofessional way, and reiterated that the United States will continue to support the self -defense of allies and partners to prevent "coercion" and "bullying".

Before the incense meeting, the United States India Command issued a statement and short film on Tuesday (May 30), referring to the Chinese fighter aircraft on May 26 in the South China Sea International Airspace.Interception "and" unnecessary provocations ".China ’s anti -referring to the long -term shipping aircraft of the U.S. forces to conduct a closer reconnaissance of China.

The US -Canada warship crosses the Taiwan Strait on Saturday

On the same day of Austin's speech, the U.S. Navy Seventh Fleet announced that the US missile destroyer and the Canadian Navy frigates rocked through the Taiwan Strait on the same day, saying that it was a place where the Gonghai navigation and flying over the freedom of freedom.

Austin said in his speech that the United States does not seek conflict or confrontation, but it will not shrink back in front of bullying and coercion.

He reiterated that the United States is committed to maintaining the status quo of the Taiwan Strait and opposing the status quo unilaterally."There is no doubt that the Taiwan Strait conflict will be devastating. Therefore, we resolutely maintain the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait."

But Austin also emphasized that the conflict between the Taiwan Strait is imminent and is not unavoidable, and it is said that "the current deterrence is strong."He also said in the questioning session that the Chinese official asked the PLA to be prepared to deal with the conflict of the Taiwan Strait in 2027, but did not mean that he decided to do so (causing conflict).

Austin said that the United States does not seek a new cold war. The competition in the United States and China should not intensify into conflict. The region should not be split into a hostile camp. Instead, the guardrail should be strengthened to prevent conflicts, double diplomatic efforts, and strengthen regional peace.

Austin criticized China to refuse to talk to the control of the China and the United States."For the defense leader with a sense of responsibility, the" right time "of the dialogue is at any time, all times are 'right time',‘ now is the right time ’.”

He said that the more dialogue, the more you can avoid misunderstanding or misjudgment that may cause crisis or conflict."Dialogue is necessary, not a reward. Shaking hands at the dinner can not replace substantial interaction."

The Minister of Defense of China and the United States held a talks in June last year.After a year, Austin and the Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu dropped hands to shake hands at the dinner.

China insists that the U.S. government has not canceled sanctions on Li Shangfu since 2018, that is, to make human obstacles for dialogue.

Ge Laiyi, director of the Asian Project of the Marshall Foundation, who participated in the Xianghui, said in an interview with Lianhe Morning Post that China wants to stop challenging its interests, otherwise the conversation is "immature and naive".

Ge Laiyi said that China tries to use dialogue to exchange for concessions in the United States, but she believes that the conversation between the two sides should not be set up, so as to express their opinions and ensure that there is no misunderstanding of each other.

Scholars: Austin's speech is milder than the past

Hu Yishan, a senior researcher at the Singapore International Affairs Society (Research) who also attended the meeting, believes that Austin's speech this year is relatively gentle compared to the U.S. Defense Minister's speech in the previous Xianghui.

Hu Yishan said in an interview: "Before the epidemic, the US Defense Minister scolded China and scolded China very fiercely. For example, the South China Sea issue, from artificial island to harassing fishing boats, etc., this year has not mentioned this year."

Sino -US relations have included a number of Chinese companies on the blacklist of trade in the past year, and Person, the Speaker of the House of Representatives in July last year, visited Taiwan.And continue to deteriorate.

In this atmosphere, Hu Yishan was surprised by Austin's "no quarrel".He was optimistic that Li Shangfu's Sunday's speech was not fierce, and Sino -US relations would be expected to cool down.