China’s Minister of Defense calls for peace while threatening war

China’s Minister of Defense has said that war with the United States would be a disaster in the first big speech he’s given since taking over the role. But why is Li Shangfu talking about war and does it have anything to do with the incident in the Taiwanese straight?

On March 12th, Li succeeded Wei Fenghe as China’s National Minister of Defense and quickly began making a name for himself as he met with foreign dignitaries and went on a trip to Moscow where he hammered out the details of China’s partnership with Russia.  

However, recent comments Li made while speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Asia have the Chinese Defense Minister’s name making headlines after he warned war between China and the United States would be an “unbearable disaster.”

"China and the U.S. have different systems and are different in many other ways," Li explained in a speech Reuters noted was the first major public address the Chinese Defense Minister has made since assuming office earlier this year. 

"However,” Li added, “this should not keep the two sides from seeking common ground and common interests to grow bilateral ties and deepen cooperation.”

“It is undeniable that a severe conflict or confrontation between China and the U.S. will be an unbearable disaster for the world,” the Chinese Defense Minister added, signaling that the tone in China may be changing after months of heightened tensions. 

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin made similar comments just one day earlier at the same security conference, saying that “conflict was neither imminent nor inevitable” and claiming that war over Taiwan would be “devastating” according to a CNN report. 

Relations between China and the U.S. have been strained ever since former president Donald Trump introduced tariffs against Chinese goods in a bid to equalize the trade imbalance between the two nations. But things have gotten far worse under Joe Biden. 

Things started to go off the rails when the Biden administration announced restrictions on semiconductor exports according to Reuters, and constant standoffs over Taiwan, spy balloons, and ships sailing through the South China Sea have made things worse. 

All of this nearly came to a head after the U.S. military released footage of a Chinese naval vessel nearly hitting an American destroyer after cutting across its bow while maneuvering in the South China Sea according to a report from The Guardian. 

In the video footage, a Chinese guided-missile destroyer can be seen on the port side of the USS Chung-Hoon before quickly cutting in front of the American ship. The Guardian reported the Chung-Hoon continued its course and reduced speed to avoid a collision. 

The USS Chung-Hoon and the Canadian frigate HMCS Montreal were conducting what it called a “freedom of navigation” transit between Taiwan and China, something that is part of the U.S. strategy to show its resolve over claims that Taiwan isn’t independent. 

China asserts that the area through which a joint U.S. and Canadian mission sailed is a part of the country’s exclusive economic zone according to The Guardian since Beijing doesn’t see Taiwan as an independent self-governing island but rather a part of China.

The incident sparked widespread fears a collision could have led to a conflict between the two nations, and The Eastern Theatre Command of the People’s Liberation Army condemned the U.S. and Canada for their role in making the area more dangerous. 

"The countries concerned deliberately create incidents in the Taiwan Strait region, deliberately provoke risks, maliciously undermine regional peace and stability, and send the wrong signal to 'Taiwan independence' forces," it said according to Reuters. 

The tones of both Austin and Li’s speeches made it seem as if both nations are looking to reduce tensions but it was also clear that both China and the United States are dug into their positions with neither side showing a willingness to budge on Taiwan. 

“If anyone dares to separate Taiwan from China, the Chinese military will not hesitate for a second,” Li said according to The Washington Post. “No matter what the price is, the Chinese military will resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”