Chinese defence minister Wei Fenghe demands US retract allegations of interference
- Calls on US to ‘remedy the mistakes’ and vows military would act against any move to separate Taiwan from China
- Comments follow Communist Party’s third-ranking Li Zhanshu denouncing ‘alliances aimed at third parties’
Top Chinese officials have condemned the United States for damaging relations with Beijing and denounced attempts to form anti-China alliances with other nations.
Wei Fenghe, the Chinese defence minister, blamed Washington for “seriously damaging the Sino-US relationship and mutual trust” by alleging China was interfering in US domestic policies, and vowed China would take action to defend its interests.
“China expressed its anger and resolute opposition,” Wei said, without naming US Vice-President Mike Pence, who made the allegations in early October.
“We strongly call on the US to remedy the mistakes, stop damaging China’s interests and the Sino-US relationship.”
He also said the Chinese military would take action against any attempt to separate Taiwan from the mainland. Beijing regards the self-ruled island as a breakaway province to be reunited with the mainland by force if necessary.
“China is the only big nation in the world that is not unified … And the Chinese military has a heavy responsibility to not let a single inch of its territory be lost,” Wei said. “If there is anyone attempting to separate Taiwan from China, the Chinese military will take action.”
