China Russia Alliance: A senior US defense official has cautioned his Chinese counterpart about China’s growing alliance with Russia, even though Russian President Vladamir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping met and agreed to further develop relations between their nations.
Major General Li Bin, who is in charge of China’s Central Military Commission Office for International Military Cooperation, spoke with US Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Ely Ratner via video conference on Friday.
In addition to “serious concern over China’s support for Russia’s defence industrial base that enables Russia’s war in Ukraine,” the Pentagon said in a readout that Ratner spoke about the ties between North Korea and Russia.
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As part of a formal two-day visit to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the founding of diplomatic relations between Beijing and Moscow, Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping made promises for a “new era” of cooperation.
According to the Times of India, the US Defence Assistant Secretary also reaffirmed the significance of preserving peace and stability across the Strait and stated that the US is still committed to the “One China” policy, which is governed by the Taiwan Relations Act, the Three US-China Joint Communiques, and the Six Assurances.
The growing tension between China and the Philippines around the South China Sea shoal was another topic of conversation between the US diplomat and his Chinese counterpart.
Meanwhile, China has accused the US of engaging in “military collusion” with Taiwan.
The Central Military Commission Office for International Military Cooperation informed the US Assistant Secretary of Defense in a video call on Friday that the “separatist acts” of the “Taiwan independence forces” and “military collusion” between the US and Taiwan are the primary causes of the current instability in the Taiwan Straits, according to Beijing-based Global Times.
“China will take resolute and decisive countermeasures against any ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist activities and foreign connivance and support,” the spokesperson noted.
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China also criticized the US military vessel on Friday for its recent “provocative moves,” saying that the US side’s use of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) exposes its hegemonic nature.
In response to a question from the media regarding the US guided-missile destroyer USS Halsey passing through the Taiwan Strait, a Chinese military spokesperson stated during a news conference, “The Chinese side strongly deplores and firmly opposes this and has lodged solemn representations with the US side.”
The conversation between Chinese official Li Ben and US defense official Ei Ratner on Friday comes after a call between China’s defense minister, Admiral Dong Jun, and US defense secretary Lloyd Austin in April.
