China’s 911 Call: Taiwan, the U.S., and a Wake‑Up Call
Picture this: The sun’s just setting over the Xiangshan Forum, and China’s Defence Minister, General Wei Fenghe, leans forward with that steely edge only a world leader can have. He’s not here to talk about cute cherry blossoms or dumplings; he’s warning that any “playground” play over Taiwan is about to get a serious hard‑bop.
The Main Message
- “Taiwan is China’s core interest,” Wei says. He warns that tries to pull the island away from China will mean the military will intervene “at all costs.”
- He tells the American leaders to ditch that “Cold War” mindset and think in a new era.
- The phrase “extremely dangerous” is the new buzz‑word for any potential division plan.
Why the U.S. Is Making Waves
Only a few days before, the U.S. Navy pulled two warships through the Taiwan Strait, a symbolic move that’s shaking the world’s geopolitical water. That’s the latest of a series of “support” actions — the second since July.
US‑China Tension: The Trade Wedge
- Trade disputes are the heat‑source, but the real tinder is the military rivalry.
- Washington pushes back against China’s expanding footprint in the South China Sea, from missile batteries on reclaimed islands to the claim of freedom‑of‑navigation.
- President Trump’s vow to outspend China in an arm‑race, after pulling out of that Anti‑Missile Treaty with Russia, only adds to the thermostat flare.
Wei’s Hot Take on the South China Sea
During a quick face‑to‑face with U.S. Defence Secretary James Mattis in Singapore, Wei made it clear: “You need military bases to protect your interests.” He recalled that last month, two navy destroyers almost glanced off each other during a U.S. “freedom‑of‑navigation” operation, stirring a quandary of sovereignty vs. freedom.
- Wei declared the region’s situation is “stabilizing,” implying everyone can manage their own affairs.
- He slammed “outside forces” staging fake freedom battles that elevate tension.
Mattis’s Counter‑Points
- Mattis insisted that both Bejing and Washington must intensify high‑level ties to avoid accidental spill‑over.
- He was disappointed when plans for a September meeting with Wei were disrupted.
- He stresses that the entire global economy, not just the largest, needs calm <– no you’re not talking about your personal finances here, silly! <– this part would be a mistake: remove that. Oops.
Sorry for the slip-up – let me correct that:
Mattis’s Counter‑Points
- Mattis insists that both Beijing and Washington must deepen high‑level ties to prevent accidental conflict.
- He was disappointed when plans for a September meeting with Wei were disrupted.
- He flagged that the U.S. wonders how rising Sino‑US friction can affect the global security complex.
Trump’s Shock Moves
- Trump quickly circled away from a long‑standing Cold‑War eliminator for nuclear missiles abroad.
- He argued the deal was shaky because Russia violated it – a way to copy for Beijing’s own defence.
- The abort comes with a sounding clause that China wonders is “completely wrong.”
Wei’s Take on the Evolving Global Order
Wei firmly says China has no intention to fight an arms race. He dismisses U.S. claims that China was meddling in mid‑term elections as a severe dent to marriage between the nations. Instead, he advocates a ‘No‑Cold‑War’ world. He stresses the need to honor sovereignty, security, and growth rights.
He laments that it’s time to drop a hegemonic, confrontational approach and remember that the old Cold‐War era is gone. “We are all living in the same great experiment. Respect each other’s territory, security, and right to progress.”
