China will “crush” any foreign attempts to encroach on its sovereign territory, including in the contested South China Sea, a senior Chinese military official declared on Thursday during a defense forum in the capital.
The statement comes amid escalating tensions between Washington and Beijing over China’s assertive actions in disputed maritime regions. The South China Sea has been a particular flashpoint, with Beijing claiming nearly the entire area, despite a 2016 international court ruling that invalidated its territorial claims.
Recent months have seen several confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels in the South China Sea. Beijing, however, remains resolute in its stance, as highlighted by Lieutenant General He Lei of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), who spoke to journalists, including AFP, on the sidelines of the Xiangshan Forum.
“We hope that the South China Sea will remain a sea of peace,” said He, but he issued a firm warning: “If the United States moves its pawns behind the scenes, or pushes other countries to the front line, the Chinese PLA will not tolerate any foreign encroachment.”
General He stressed that the PLA would respond decisively to any violations of China’s territorial or maritime rights, adding, “We will resolutely crush any foreign hostile encroachment… with firm determination, strong capability, and effective means.”
The Xiangshan Forum, dubbed China’s version of Singapore’s “Shangri-La Dialogue,” is a major platform for defense and security discussions. More than 500 representatives from over 90 countries and international organizations are attending the event in Beijing, with top military officials from Russia, Pakistan, Singapore, and others participating in the forum’s discussions.
China and the Philippines Hold “Candid” Talks
China’s stance on the South China Sea has been a source of diplomatic tension, particularly with the Philippines, whose vessels have repeatedly clashed with Chinese ships near disputed reefs. On Wednesday, the two nations held “candid” talks, focusing on cooperation mechanisms and ways to ease maritime tensions.
“Both sides agreed to continue discussions on cooperation, especially on hotline mechanisms, coast guard cooperation, and marine scientific and technological collaboration,” according to a statement from the Philippine foreign ministry.
‘Win-Win Cooperation’ with the US?
General He also touched on the broader geopolitical tensions between Beijing and Washington, urging dialogue and cooperation.
Speaking about the presence of US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Michael Chase at the forum, He expressed hope that Chase would listen to China’s perspective during his visit. “We want the United States and China to be partners, to be friends,” He said. “We aim to pursue China-US relations featuring win-win cooperation.”
He added, “We hope the US will contribute to regional and global peace, security, and stability.”
The forum’s opening ceremony is set to take place on Friday, with official speeches and roundtable discussions from military representatives from multiple nations, further shaping the global discourse on security and defense.
Key Points:
China’s Firm Warning: China pledges to “crush” any foreign incursion into its sovereign territory, including in the South China Sea.
Tensions with the US: Lieutenant General He Lei warns the US against pushing other countries into the South China Sea disputes and calls for cooperation.
South China Sea Confrontations: Recent clashes between Chinese and Philippine vessels over disputed reefs, despite international rulings against China’s claims.
China-Philippines Dialogue: China and the Philippines hold “candid” talks on maritime cooperation, including coast guard collaboration.
US-China Relations: China seeks “win-win cooperation” with the US, urging Washington to contribute to global peace and security.
Xiangshan Forum: The event brings over 500 representatives from 90+ countries to Beijing for discussions on defense and security.
