The competing strains on U.S. global power came into sharp focus at a security conference on Sunday, where China accused the United States of stoking tensions around Taiwan and the South China Sea, and President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine was seeking greater support for his embattled country.
This year, the United States Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III and China’s defense minister, Adm. Dong Jun, held talks, something the top defense officials from the two countries have not always done at this gathering.
But Admiral Dong made clear that China remained deeply antagonistic to U.S. influence and alliance-building across Asia, especially American support for Taiwan, the island democracy that Beijing claims as its territory.
“These malign intentions are drawing Taiwan to the dangers of war,” Admiral Dong told the meeting after making an oblique but unmistakable reference to U.S. military and political support for Taiwan.
“Anyone who dares split Taiwan from China will be smashed to pieces and court their own destruction.”
Persons:
Volodymyr Zelensky, Lloyd J, Austin III, Dong Jun, Admiral Dong, ”
Organizations:
United States Defense, Taiwan
Locations:
China, United States, Taiwan, South China, Ukraine, Singapore, U.S, Asia, Beijing