China and Russia take aim at US at Chinese military forum
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[October 30, 2023]
By Yew Lun Tian
BEIJING (Reuters) -Chinese and Russian military chiefs targeted the
United States for criticism at a security forum in Beijing on Monday,
even as China's second most senior military commander vowed to boost
defence ties with Washington.
The lack of regular communications between the U.S. and Chinese
militaries has been a worry for Washington as tensions rise over various
issues and given the risks of an accidental clash in the South China Sea
or near Taiwan.
The Xiangshan Forum, China's biggest annual show of military diplomacy,
began on Sunday without a Chinese defense minister, who typically hosts
the event, but including a U.S. delegation.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu warned the West that its
involvement in the Ukraine war created grave danger.
"The Western line of steady escalation of the conflict with Russia
carries the threat of a direct military clash between nuclear powers,
which is fraught with catastrophic consequences," Russia's TASS state
news agency cited Shoigu as saying at the forum.
Shoigu said the West intended to inflict "strategic defeat" on Russia in
what he called a "hybrid war", and praised Russia-China relations as
"exemplary", Russian state media reported.
Zhang Youxia, vice chairman, under President Xi Jinping, of China's
Central Military Commission, delivered veiled criticism of the United
States and its allies, accusing "some countries" of trying to undermine
China's government.
But Zhang also stressed the need for improving military ties with the
United States.
"We will deepen strategic cooperation and coordination with Russia and
are willing to, on the basis of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and
win-win cooperation, develop military ties with the U.S.," Zhang said in
an address closely watched by military attaches and diplomats.
Zhang held talks with Shoigu on the sidelines of the forum, China's
Xinhua state media reported.
China's defense minister has in previous years delivered the forum's
keynote speech but Li Shangfu was sacked as defense minister last week
without explanation and a replacement has not been named.
Reuters reported last month that Li, who has been missing for two
months, was being investigated over corruption.
China and the U.S. have had no high-level military-to-military
communications since the Washington-sanctioned Li was appointed in
March.
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China's Central Military Commission Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia
attends the Beijing Xiangshan Forum in Beijing, China October 30,
2023. REUTERS/Florence Lo
'HERE AND LISTENING'
The U.S. defense department has sent a delegation led by Cynthia
Xanthi Carras, China country director in the Office of the
Undersecretary of Defense.
Carras had a brief exchange with defense ministry spokesperson Wu
Qian at the forum, a social media account affiliated with state
broadcaster CCTV reported.
Chad Spragia, a former U.S. deputy assistant secretary of defense
for China, stressed the importance of U.S. participation.
"It's important for the U.S. to be here and not cede the space to
others. We're here and we're listening," said Sbragia, who said he
was attending there in a research capacity.
The participation of the U.S. delegation comes as the United States
and China ramp up exchanges ahead of an expected summit between U.S.
President Joe Biden and China's Xi next month.
Last week, China's top diplomat, Wang Yi, met Biden for an hour in
talks the White House described as a "good opportunity" to keep open
lines of communication between the two rivals.
Despite the conciliatory remarks about improving China-U.S. military
ties, Zhang and some Chinese military officers gave no sign of a
softer stance on issues such as Taiwan, which Beijing's regards as
its territory.
Chinese Lieutenant-General He Lei, speaking at a panel on Sunday,
said that if China were to have to use force against Taiwan, "it
will be a war for reunification, a just and legitimate war".
In his speech, Zhang said that countries "should not deliberately
provoke other countries on major and sensitive issues," he said,
adding that Taiwan was "a core interest" for China.
Many Western countries have either shunned the forum or are only
sending low-level delegations.
(Reporting by Yew Lun Tian and Beijing newsroom; Additional
reporting by Lidia Kelly in Sydney; Writing by Laurie Chen and Greg
Torode; Editing by Gerry Doyle and Tom Hogue)
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