China now accepts looming ‘conflict’ with United States

DEPARTING from its long-standing policy of only seeking ‘peaceful coexistence’ and ‘healthy and stable relationship’ with the United States, the People’s Republic of China has now accepted that it is headed for “conflict and confrontation” with the world’s most bellicose country.

In his first press conference in Beijing last March 7, 2023, Qin Gang, China’s new foreign minister, made known the Chinese leadership’s changing attitude with the United States, warning that “if the United States does not hit the brake but continues to speed down the wrong path, no amount of guardrails can prevent derailing, and there will surely be conflict and confrontation.”

Qin was responding to the question posed by a reporter from NBC, a US media company, who expressed reservation if a “healthy and stable relationship” between the two countries is still possible given their widening views on a “whole range of issues.”

Qin framed his reply in the context of the wayward meteorological balloon from China that went off-course and strayed into US territory early last February.

“It is entirely an accident caused by force majeure… However, in violation of the spirit of international law and international customary practices, the United States acted with a presumption of guilt. It overreacted, abused force, and dramatized the accident, creating a diplomatic crisis that could have been avoided,” the official pointed out, adding:

“An accident can reveal something fundamental. In this case, the US perception and views of China are seriously distorted. It regards China as its primary rival and biggest geopolitical challenge. This is like the first button in a shirt being put wrong. And the result is that the US’ China policy has entirely deviated from the rational and sound track.”

Qin also dismissed the US’ claim that while it seeks to ‘out-compete’ China, it does not seek conflict.

“The United States talks a lot about following rules. But imagine two athletes competing in an Olympic race. If one athlete, instead of focusing on giving one’s best, always tries to trip or even injure the other, that is not fair competition, but malicious confrontation and a foul!

“Its so-called ‘establishing guardrails’ for China-US relations and ‘not seeking conflict’ actually means that China should not respond in words or action when slandered or attacked.

“That is just impossible,” Qin pointed out.

Qin also advised the United States that its way of imposing on others to make itself great again is wrong.

“If the United States has the ambition to make itself great again, it should also have a broad mind for the development of other countries. Containment and suppression will not make America great, and it will not stop the rejuvenation of China.”

Qin has a keen insight on the United States as he was also previously China’s ambassador to Washington from 2021 prior to his ascension as foreign minister.

Responding to another question, Qin also reminded the world that the ‘Taiwan Question’ “is the core of the core interests of China, the bedrock of the political foundation of China-US relations, and the first red line that must not be crossed in China-US relations.”

“The Chinese people have every right to ask: Why does the US talk at length about respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity on Ukraine, while disrespecting China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity on China’s Taiwan question?

“Why does the US ask China not to provide weapons to Russia, while it keeps selling arms to Taiwan in violation of the August 17 Communiqué?

“If the United States does not hit the brake but continues to speed down the wrong path, no amount of guardrails can prevent derailing, and there will surely be conflict and confrontation” — FM Qin Gang

“Why does the US keep on professing the maintenance of regional peace and stability, while covertly formulating a “plan for the destruction of Taiwan,” Qin further explained.

“If the United States truly expects a peaceful Taiwan Strait, it should stop containing China by exploiting the Taiwan question, return to the fundamental of the one-China principle, honor its political commitment to China, and unequivocally oppose and forestall Taiwan independence,” Qin stressed.

PH headed to ‘abyss of geopolitical strife’

In Manila, the Chinese Embassy has now also issued a veiled warning that the Philippines is headed to the “abyss of geopolitical strife” and its relations with China is now being put under strain over the Philippines’ continuing servility and puppetry to US Imperialism by agreeing to more US military bases in the country under the provisions of the ‘EDCA’ (Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement).

As announced, the Philippines would be giving away four more sites for US military bases under EDCA with two of them in Northern Luzon—Cagayan and Isabela—which are of close proximity to Taiwan.

First responding to the derisive comments by US State Undersecretary for Political Affairs, Victoria Nuland on the tangible help being given by China to the Philippines, Chinese Ambassador HE Huang Xilian, in a statement last March 10, 2023, subtly suggested that Filipinos should not believe the US claim of providing jobs and opportunities to local communities that would be hosting American military bases.

“Economy and trade cannot flourish without a peaceful and stable regional environment. However, some Americans claim that the four additional military sites in the Philippines to which US forces would have access under the EDCA would bring “economic opportunities, jobs” to their host communities, and discredit China-Philippines economic cooperation at the same time… Creating economic opportunities and jobs through military cooperation is tantamount to quenching thirst with poison and gouging flesh to heal wounds,” Huang explained and warned:

“Such cooperation will seriously endanger regional peace and stability and drag the Philippines into the abyss of geopolitical strife and damage its economic development at the end of the day…

“… History will judge who is the reliable partner of the Philippines for mutual assistance and common development, and who is a passer-by that instigates and fans discordance in this region.”