Shangri-La Dialogue: China defence minister Li Shangfu warns against 'NATO-like' alliances in APAC

China's defence minister General Li Shangfu on Sunday (Jun 4) warned against establishing "NATO-like" military alliances in the Asia-Pacific, saying they would plunge the region into a "whirlpool" of conflict.

"In essence, attempts to push for NATO-like (alliances) in the Asia-Pacific is a way of kidnapping regional countries and exaggerating conflicts and confrontations, which will only plunge the Asia-Pacific into a whirlpool of disputes and conflicts," General Li told the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore.

He made an apparent dig at the US, saying: "A Cold War mentality is now resurgent, greatly increasing security risks. Mutual respect should prevail over bullying and hegemony."

This is his full speech with the Q&A session.

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[DessertEagle]

I am a 24 year old Taiwanese. I dont really care we belong to China or not. If China government can lead us better than our "current" government, I dont really mind. I rather be part of China than going to war with China. Afterall China have made big advancements in healthcare, science and technology in the past decade. They also lifted millions of their people out of poverty. I am just suprise that non Taiwanese are more concern about Taiwan belonging to China or not than Taiwanese themselves. Most of my peers just prefer to have no conflict with China. Whether we are independent country or becoming part of China, we dont really care. As long as we are taken care of and continue to have employment, good healthcare and education, we are good.

[kamigami]

Friendly reminder General Li was sanctioned by the US government at the time of this event. While the US keep saying they want to build connect, what they did instead was raising tension. Imagine somebody say they want to build connect and be friends with you, but instead punch you in the face. Then complain out in the public you dont want to talk. 😂😂😂 Same with the Ukraine war. You keep saying to claim down but on the other hand you hand over knife.

[annec]

True- what is rules based? It shouldn't be rules based on what one country has arbitrarily imposed on others. It should be based on United Nations Charter.

[cteeim]

Hearing CN Defence minister Li, we see hope for peace, development and progress for mankind, esp. for the region. Heariing from US Def Sec Austin, we hear only threats, conflicts, militarism, weapons and huge sense of hyprocrisy and pessimism with wars in the horizon. Confidence of CN and firmness of their moral high ground demonstrated by coming to this "dialogue" where on the floor sat a majority of western hawks and hypocrites with distorted supremacy of "democratic" values. The depth of CN clearly contrasted with the shallowness of the western tactical narrowness more to pick fights with faults always at the other party.

[knnccbDPP]

US military suppliers waiting to get bigger profits from increased regional tension and bigger defense budgets. Politicians waiting to get more commission and political donations

[JoneLang]

I agree and I don’t want Asia to become another fragmented Europe

[ericlim]

Well said, America the Trouble Maker of this Planet . Get Rid of them & Peace on Earth !

[ThinkTalkListen]

These are just some valid concerns that drives many people to wonder if there is law governing US, UK, Nato wrongdoings:
1.what International law gives US the right to invade Iraq
2.what International law gives US the right to bomb Nordstream Pipes without any threat or provocation towards US (it is an Infrastructure that millions depends on)
3. What International law gives US the right to more than 860 military bases called Warmongering Forces globally, despite having UN Peacekeeping Forces.
4. What International law gives US the right to wage war with any country it wants to enjoy its power of destruction.
5. What International law ensures that UN votes are fair and just, for the peace of the world it is so designed for and NOT just taking sides like the Nordstream voting
6. What International law gives US the right to attack China's Sovereignty since Taiwan is under China rule from 1945.
7. What International law gives Taiwan the right to break away from China as it is under China Rule since 1945. It is the US law of fear and aggression
8. What International law gives Philippines the right to stage foreign US military bases and activities to threaten the peace of its neighbors and SCS. It is the US law of fear and aggression.
9. What International law exempt US presidents from war crimes committed as opposed to Putin to be arrested by ICC

If at all China is wrong because it violates International law in SCS so designed for US benefits, then the “9-dash line” needs to be reviewed and re-inacted only by the countries involved under the supervision of UN(excluding US), provided it acts justly and impartially for the good of the world

[chibingxiang]

The general said it clear that: the reason why warship almost hit, is because the us and canadian warship alway always sail to other countries, here directly, sail to China, hence possible collision is brought to themselves by themselves. Consider why China warship does not have this problem? what happens if China warship sails close to US or Canada?

[happymelon]

ASIAN call this region "Asia Pacific"
Outsider QUAD thinks they owe this region. Try to erase "Asia" calling this region "Indo Pacific".
QUAD calling meeting on SCS rules, but without any SCS countries.

Indo-Pacific was first used as a term in geopolitics by Shinzo Abe in 2007.
To create QUAD and rules over Asia, from history record colonialism mindset always label others home country a new name.

[rohanmankar]

Before pointing others you should look at yourself, you created QUAD, you pushed NATO alliance in indi Pacific region, you are the reason for this

[Kiki-envm]

Is already happened, what is he blabbering about, every nation had the right to decide how they go about their lives, is not for the Chinese to decide, that will cause chaos, is non of your business.

[denisechan]

Singapore is hosting a dialogue in Shangri-la with a general from China criticising US. Right move.

[bobafett]

*Care to explain what happened to Tibet in 1951

[oklahoma]

These are the very reasons why CHINA PRC has to strive to be a First Class military Power ! Protect the Chinese People & CHINA sacred land ! Thanks President XI !❤❤❤❤❤

[aswientj.tj.]

NATO -like alliances ?...with regarding recently to Ukraine war that pouring ⛽ to 🔥...quite sure that all APAC nations will object to accept/joining.

[kentan]

A "waste of time" platform and forum to allow 2 superpower to come and provide "warnings" and give "intimidations"...

[dzhang-gk]

Why Philippines fisherman bullied by Chinese warships? Indonesian fishermen bullied in Natunas which is in Indonesian waters by Chinese navy. If this is a peaceful China? Who gave China the right for 9 Dash Line in South China Sea. More like a neighborhood gangster.

[TimBrianTufuga]

It is important to note that China emphatically state that their foreign policy direction is aimed at asserting the rules based international law based on the UNCLOS and FONOPS with the emphasis on the United Nations Charter and not by a dubious subjective interpretation of that Rules based International Law dictated by a select few Cabal of Nations, ie EU, NATO and their strangle hold of the UNSC and the UNSC resolutions of international disputes, ie, the Minsk Agreement and the UN Peacekeeping mission objective proposed by the Russian UNSC delegate. The veto by France, Britain and USA would assert a rules based law that would lead to a unilateral special military operation by the Russian Government to interdict after the 2014 Referenda results from the disputed territories. Again, referring back to the South China Sea FONOPS and UNCLOS rules based law, the Parcel Islands and Sprately Island Groups were acquired under the UNCLOS International Waters acquisition of South China Sea Islands by the Chinese Government which has been a matter of EEZ disputations amongst many Nations. Such disputes has also included the trade routes for Chinese Vessels through the Malacca Straits which are a National Security risk assessment requiring Chinese Miitary escort of Chinese trade lanes. This is a subjective interest by the Chinese within the South China Sea region which has prompted many instances of close proximity engagements by Chinese Vessels and Aircrafts escalating tensions amongst International Military Forces in the region. We may view that the Rules of Law conjecture moot will remain subjective based on brinkmanship coercive posturing which may invariably end in direct confrontation within the forseeable future unless a new UNCLOS amendment will account for the regional power changes in recent years. More importantly, acknowledging the Chinese enhanced power status within South East Asia, and more expansively with the BRI globally.

[Singaporean]

Military alliance is like school bully, they are actually coward dare not do 1 to 1 😂😂😂. After form gang go around bully others😂😂😂