Germany wants to become more involved in the Indo-Pacific – and Defense Minister Pistorius is traveling to an international security conference in the region. China sets the tone even before the meeting begins.
China’s new Defense Minister Li Shangfu has threatened Taiwan with military conquest before the start of an international security conference. Ahead of the launch of the Shangri-La dialogue in Singapore, General Li Shangfu, in a meeting with the city-state’s Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen, said China aims for peaceful “reunification” but will not allow Taipei’s ruling Progressive Party (DPP ) who strive for independence.
“We will never promise to refrain from using force,” Chinese state media quoted him as saying after a meeting the previous day. “China must be united.” The Chinese leadership will resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity, said the general, who is attending the conference for the first time.
The Shangri-La Dialogue is considered the most important security policy forum in the Indo-Pacific region at defense minister level. This year, representatives from 40 countries have announced their attendance, including European defense ministers. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) arrived from Berlin on Friday. The meeting is about China’s growing influence and claims to power as well as the consequences of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
Concern has grown since the Russian invasion
China regards Taiwan as part of the People’s Republic. The democratic island republic, which today has 23 million inhabitants, has had an independent government for more than seven decades. After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, concerns have grown that China could use similar violence against Taiwan.
The United States has committed itself to the island’s defense capability, which has so far primarily meant arms deliveries. However, US President Joe Biden had pledged to use US troops to help Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack.
Chinese side refuses to meet Lloyd
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, who is also attending the Singapore conference, had asked his Chinese counterpart to meet on the sidelines. However, the Chinese side refused. One point of contention is that the US imposed sanctions on the general in 2018, which Beijing is demanding are lifted. In any case, there is largely radio silence between the two countries, as relations have fallen to a low point. A keynote speech by the US Secretary of Defense has been announced for Saturday, and China’s Defense Minister will speak on the country’s new security agenda on Sunday.
Pistorius called for a further expansion of German engagement in the economically and security-politically important region. “I think we in Europe are well advised not to lose sight of this region, or to put it another way, to focus more on it again,” he said. He affirmed that the region plays a central role “in terms of international economic relations, the security of international sea routes, but it is also of central importance for global peace”. He warned: “We cannot afford to neglect this region.”
At the start of the conference, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called for closer cooperation between Europe and Asia. “In a variety of issues and conflicts – from the invasion of Ukraine to tensions in the South China Sea – we should defend key security principles together whenever and wherever they are threatened,” Borrell told the German Press Agency. The EU is doing this and counting on partners to do the same.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
