China's defense minister on Sunday acknowledged the importance of newly renewed military-to-military communications with the United States as tensions escalate in the Asia-Pacific, while at the same time accusing Washington of causing the friction with its support for Taiwan and the Philippines. “We will not allow anyone to bring geopolitical conflicts or any war, whether hot or cold, into our region," Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun told the Shangri-La defense forum in Singapore through a translator. “We will not allow any country or any force to create conflict and chaos in our region,” he added. Dong accused the Philippines of deliberately provoking China, “emboldened by outside powers.”“China has recognized great restraint in the face of such infringements and provocations,” he said. China regards Taiwan as a renegade province that must come under its control, by force if necessary.

Source: The Standard June 02, 2024 04:38 UTC