America Doesn’t Want Conflict with China – Lloyd Austin

Lloyd Austin, the United States Secretary of Defense, said Tuesday that the claims and actions of China in the Indo-Pacific threaten the sovereignty of countries across the region while the United States committed to developing partnerships that guarantee the key interests of all countries. During a speech to the International Institute for Strategic Studies in Singapore, Austin said that the claim of China to the huge majority of the South China Sea has no basis in international law. That declaration stamps on the sovereignty of states in the region.

But let me be clear: I am committed to pursuing a constructive, stable relationship w/ China, including stronger crisis communications w/ the PLA. Big powers need to model transparency & communication. We hope we can work together on common challenges, especially climate change. pic.twitter.com/E6KwMZIoRN

— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) July 27, 2021

Beijing claims nearly all of the 1.3m-square-mile South China Sea as its independent territory, regardless of much of those claims running against international law. Austin said that the intransigence of China extended beyond the South China Sea. Furthermore, the United States defense chief said that the unwillingness of China to resolve clashes calmly and respect the rule of law is not just occurring on the water. The U.S. also observes aggression against India, destabilizing military movement and other types of force against the Taiwan nationals, and crimes & genocide against Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang.

War of Words between Senior Diplomats

He further added that regardless of the list, America doesn’t want a military conflict with China. However, U.S. will not flinch when its interests are threatened. Additionally, he said that the relations between Washington and Beijing became rocker than ever during the six months of the Biden government. The recent tension highlighted one day before a war of words between senior diplomats for the two nations during discussions in Tianjin, China.

A United States delegation led by Wendy Sherman, the Deputy Secretary of State, met with Wang Yi, the Chinese Foreign Minister, and other officials. Furthermore, the U.S. State Department called the summits frank and open – diplomatic code for a battle – and painted China as an international outlier that is undermining international norms. Describing the discussions as detailed and frank, China responded with a torrent of criticism, with Chinese representatives expressing strong dissatisfaction with the U.S.’ extremely dangerous China policy and condemning it of duplicity on human rights.

Part of the United States policy steadily challenging territorial claims of China in the South China Sea with Freedom of Navigation operations, in which American combat ships moved through disputed waters claimed by China. American Navy also conducts normal exercises in the South China Sea. China says the presence of the United States Navy in the region is disrupting and, in the case of the Freedom of Navigation operations, tramples on the sovereignty of China.

Beijing’s claim to the vast majority of the South China Sea has no basis in international law. That assertion treads on the sovereignty of states in the region. We continue to support the region’s coastal states in upholding their rights under international law. pic.twitter.com/ea4lbyIEj7

— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) July 27, 2021

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