China’s new defence minister, Admiral Dong Jun, delivered a warning to supporters of Taiwan’s independence, asserting they would face “self-destruction” if they continued their efforts. His statement came during a speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue, a security summit in Singapore.
Dong’s speech, lasting approximately 30 minutes, reaffirmed China’s stance on Taiwan. “We will take resolute actions to curb Taiwan independence and make sure such a plot never succeeds,” he declared, taking hits at “external interfering forces” accused of arming and maintaining unofficial contacts with Taiwan. This appears to be a reference to the United States of America which has a close, albeit unofficial, relationship with the state.
Extending a warm welcome to 70th Secretary of State @mikepompeo. We appreciate your lasting contributions to advancing #Taiwan–#US relations & anticipate deepening our friendship with the US, promoting freedom & democracy together in the international community. pic.twitter.com/wDzBCovjAw
— 賴清德Lai Ching-te (@ChingteLai) May 21, 2024
China, according to Dong, remains committed to peaceful reunification. However, he warned that this goal is increasingly negatively affected by both Taiwanese “separatists” and global entities.
Regional Concerns
Pressures have intensified under Chinese President Xi Jinping. China’s ruling Communist Party claims Taiwan, a self-governing entity, as its own territory. The new Taiwanese President, Lai Ching-te, and his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) are particularly disliked by China for their pro-sovereignty stance. Lai has asserted that Taiwan is already an independent sovereign state with no need to declare independence.
Public Sentiment
In his speech, Dong accused the DPP of attempting to sever Taiwan’s Chinese identity. Dong asserted that their authorities would be “nailed to the pillar of shame in history.”
Recent polls indicate a growing number of Taiwanese, particularly the youth, identify as Taiwanese rather than Chinese. Support for unification with China is minimal, with less than 10% in favour and only 3% identifying primarily as Chinese. In response to Dong’s speech, Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council described his remarks as “provocative and irrational,” stating that any actions disregarding public opinion would be counterproductive.
China’s Portrayal
Dong’s speech marked his debut at the Shangri-La Dialogue following his appointment last year.
He portrayed China as a peaceful power, denying any aggressive intentions. “We will not allow anyone to bring geopolitical conflicts or any war, whether hot or cold, to our region,” he established.
South China Sea
Dong also addressed the South China Sea. He accused an unnamed country of being strengthened by outside powers, referencing recent US-Philippine military drills and the deployment of American missile systems.
China claims almost the entire South China Sea – something rejected by a 2016 international tribunal ruling in favour of the Philippines. Despite this, tensions continue, with Chinese coast guard vessels frequently clashing with Philippine ships.
Military Relations and Global Security
Dong expressed openness to military exchanges with the US, considering that stability between the two militaries is crucial for global security. This statement followed his first substantive talks with US defence secretary Austin in 18 months. The meeting marked a potential improvement in military communications which China had suspended in 2022 following then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan.
Dong’s speech and subsequent Q&A session at the Shangri-La Dialogue were dominated by discussions on Taiwan and the South China Sea. The forum, a gathering of senior military officials from across the Asia-Pacific, provided a platform for them to question Chinese military leaders directly.
Reactions
The tone of Dong’s speech was notably harsher compared to previous addresses by Chinese defence chiefs at the summit. “The strategic environment in Asia has actually got more tense and I think we saw that in the Chinese defence minister’s speech today,” said Robert Ward, IISS Japan chair. A senior US official noted contradiction between Dong’s speech and the realities of the People’s Liberation Army’s activities.
