The United States says it will not tolerate China’s pressure on Taiwan

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said the United States does not want conflict with China over Taiwan, but Washington will not tolerate Beijing’s pressure. The speech was delivered during the Shangri-La Dialogue, an Asian defense summit held in Singapore. The event started on Friday (2. June 2023).

At the conference, Lloyd argued that A.J “A free, open and secure Indo-Pacific in a world of rules and rights” It is the best way to prevent China’s influence in the region. The minister said that the us “linked” In ensuring that all countries can cross to wherever international law allows.

All countries, large or small, must remain free to conduct lawful maritime activities.announced the general.

The minister also referred to North America’s achievements in the region, such as providing vaccine doses against COVID-19 during the pandemic and measures to combat climate change.

On May 30, China refused a US request for a meeting between Lloyd and Chinese Defense Minister Li Changfu. The meeting will be held on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue. The Pentagon said China’s refusal to meet was “From night to dayThe agency said it submitted the application in early May.

Relations between China and the United States have been tense since last year visiting Speaker of the US House of Representatives at the time Nancy Pelosi To Taiwan in August. Although the island has been governed independently since 1949, China considers it part of its territory as a breakaway province.

Tensions escalated in February when the U.S. ouster Chinese balloon It was used for espionage – which China denies. In fact, the Americans warned Beijing against supplying arms to Russia and allowed the President of Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wenAnd He went to the United States, among other things, if is found With the current Speaker of the House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy.