USA and China on the abyss: violent reactions to Hegseth's criticism!

USA and China on the abyss: violent reactions to Hegseth's criticism!

Singapur, Singapur - The relationships between the USA and China are on the brink again. This is reinforced by the recent statements by US defense minister Pete Hegseth during the Shangri-la dialog security conference in Singapore. Hegseth described China as a major threat to the stability in Asia and warned of a possible military attack on Taiwan. Such calls have caused plenty of excitement in Beijing. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs reacted immediately and warned the United States not to “play with fire” These words are not without consequences. The Chinese government scolded Hegseth's statements as "disparaging" and "regrettable". They accused the United States to undermine peace and stability in the Asian-Pacific area. At a time when tensions between the two superpowers in the region increase, the tone is particularly sharp. According to experts and analysts, it is becoming increasingly evident that China is striving to hegemony in Asia and sees control over Taiwan as part of this project. China's military already maneuvers near the island and has the intention of maintaining its territorial integrity Tagesschau .

dangerous closeness and provocations

In the recent past, there have been more and more incidents that illustrate the tense relationship between the United States and China. A Chinese warship recently crossed the course of a US destroyer so close that it only kept about 140 meters away. These dangerous approaches have fueled the concern on the American side because they are perceived as unprofessional and provocative. John Kirby, the spokesman for the United States National Security Council, said that the United States will continue its reconnaissance trips in Taiwanstrasse and over the South China Sea, despite the growing tensions DW .

In addition, there is concern that such provocations could still be tightened by possible misunderstandings and escalations. US general staff Mark Milley expressed that there had been no conversation with his Chinese counterpart in eight months, which further burdens the lines of communication between the two nations. On the other hand, the Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun, who was not present at the security conference mentioned, should also be seen as a way to avoid confrontation Tagesschau .

prospects for dialogue

Communication between the USA and China currently seems to have come to a standstill. After the incident with a Chinese spy balloon, there have been no conversations between the two powers since then. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Flasche has not yet realized his visit to Beijing, and there are hardly any discussions at the military level. However, President Joe Biden plans to get in touch with XI Jinping in due course, in order to discuss the challenges and opportunities in bilateral relationships Tagesschau .

Hegseth calls on Asian allies to invest more in their defense. The United States is currently the largest armaments supplier for Taiwan and have processed arms sales in a billion dollar value in recent years. At a time when the tensions between the two superpowers stop, it remains to be seen whether a calming dialogue is possible or whether the situation continues to escalate.