U.S. won't 'tiptoe' around China with Asia stability at threat - defence chief

[Jonathan Fairfield]

U.S. won't 'tiptoe' around China with Asia stability at threat - defence chief

By Idrees Ali

 

 

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - The United States will no longer "tiptoe" around Chinese behaviour in Asia, with stability in the region at threat on issues ranging from the South China Sea to Taiwan, acting U.S. Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan said on Saturday.

 

Shanahan did not directly name China when making accusations of "actors" destabilising the region, but went on to say the United States would not ignore Chinese behaviour, the latest in the exchange of acerbic remarks between the world's two biggest economies. He however added he was keen to foster a military relationship with Beijing.

 

"Perhaps the greatest long-term threat to the vital interests of states across this region comes from actors who seek to undermine, rather than uphold, the rules-based international order," Shanahan said at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Asia's biggest security gathering.

 

"If the trends in these behaviours continue, artificial features in the global commons could become tollbooths, sovereignty could become the purview of the powerful."

 

Shanahan's first major speech since taking over as acting defence secretary in January came as the United States and China remain locked in an escalating trade war and at odds over a range of security issues in Asia.

 

His reference to artificial features was a swipe at islands built by China in the disputed South China Sea, a strategic waterway claimed almost wholly by Beijing.

 

"We're not going to ignore Chinese behaviour and I think in the past people have kind of tiptoed around that," Shanahan said later in answer to a question.

 

He said it was in Beijing's interests to have a constructive relationship with the United States.

 

But he added: "Behaviour that erodes other nations' sovereignty and sows distrust of China's intentions must end."

"Until it does, we stand against a myopic, narrow, and parochial vision of the future, and we stand for the free and open order that has benefited us all - including China."

 

TRADE WAR

 

Shanahan said that he did not see the current trade dispute between China and the United States as a trade war, but rather just part of trade negotiations.

 

An increase in Chinese tariffs on most U.S. imports on a $60 billion target list took effect as planned on Saturday, after Washington’s own tariff increases.

 

Shanahan also became the latest senior U.S. official to call out Chinese telecoms giant Huawei, saying in his speech that it was too close to the Chinese government.

 

The United States has accused Huawei of espionage, breaching trade sanctions against Iran and intellectual property theft. Huawei disputes all allegations.

 

China's Defence Minister Wei Fenghe is due to address Asia's marquee security summit on Sunday when he is expected to criticise the United States over its implied support for a democratic Taiwan.

 

On Friday, Shanahan held talks with Wei that both sides called "constructive", although their teams later reverted to type with critical comments on each other's defence strategies.

 

Along with the expected warnings aimed at China, Shanahan referred to cooperation between the two countries in areas like military-to-military exchanges, counter-piracy and joint efforts to reduce the "extraordinary threat" posed by North Korea's military ambitions.

 

"I am confident that we'll solve problems," Shanahan said.

 

Shanahan also called on U.S. allies to contribute more to their own defences. Burden sharing, from Asia to Europe, has long been a demand of President Donald Trump's administration.

 

"We need you to invest in ways that take more control over your sovereignty and your own ability to exercise sovereign choices."

 

(Reporting by Idrees Ali; additional reporting by Joe Brock, Lee Chyen Yee and Aradhana Aravindan; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-05-20

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[FritsSikkink]

"Behaviour that erodes other nations' sovereignty and sows distrust of China's intentions must end."

"The United States has accused Huawei of espionage"

 

What a joke. the USA has military bases all over the world is invading and bombing several countries.

The CIA is spying on countries who are their alleys.

[Baerboxer]

2 hours ago, FritsSikkink said:

"Behaviour that erodes other nations' sovereignty and sows distrust of China's intentions must end."

"The United States has accused Huawei of espionage"

 

What a joke. the USA has military bases all over the world is invading and bombing several countries.

The CIA is spying on countries who are their alleys.

 

And you seriously think other so called first world western democracies don't?

[Pedrogaz]

When I hear what US establishment people have said, I want to vomit. Yeah like the US is a good guy....still at war in Korea after nearly 70 years.....atroctites all over Vietnam, a B52 plane load of bombs every 8 minutes for 9 years dropped on Loas when they weren't;t even at war with them.....more tonnage than the allies dropped in WW2, and people still dying each year from unexploded ordnance left by the good guys? Give me a break while I ago and puke.

[soalbundy]

19 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

And you seriously think other so called first world western democracies don't?

Of course they do, they just aren't being so hypocritical about it

[Basil B]

U.S. won't 'tiptoe' around China with Asia stability at threat - defence chief

More like a Bull in a China Shop...

 

...GunBoat Diplomacy 

Edited June 1, 2019 by Basil B

[grumbleweed]

And to protect Asia from the Chinese, the US will borrow more money from... the Chinese. Essentially meaning the US help maintain China's armed forces

 

Not exactly the sharpest knifes in the drawer are they?

[JulesMad]

usa has never 'tiptoed' and never will.... They just don't know how! And their 'glorious leader' tiptoe-ing?!? Just trying to visualize that right now ????????

[IssanMichael]

Interesting nitem, i just watched a documentary by John Pilger last night, see the attached; 

 

[Kasane]

US is now a rogue nation, bullying friends and foe alike, using sanctions to cripple nations, using tariffs to settle scores. Shame.

[Kasane]

"Perhaps the greatest long-term threat to the vital interests of states across this region comes from actors who seek to undermine, rather than uphold, the rules-based international order," says the country who is tearing up sacred treaties all over the planet. Hypocrites.

Edited June 1, 2019 by Kasane

[the guest]

If China joins up with Russia, then the USA would have a big problem on its hands.

[Morch]

25 minutes ago, Kasane said:

US is now a rogue nation, bullying friends and foe alike, using sanctions to cripple nations, using tariffs to settle scores. Shame.

 

USA A Rouge Nation, Says Poster. Of course it is, there there.

The current USA administration certainly leverages (IMO, unwisely) the hell out the country's pull, but that doesn't really support the term used. Not being nice, not playing nice doesn't make a country "rogue", other than in some posters' imagination.

 

[Morch]

26 minutes ago, Kasane said:

"Perhaps the greatest long-term threat to the vital interests of states across this region comes from actors who seek to undermine, rather than uphold, the rules-based international order," says the country who is tearing up sacred treaties all over the planet. Hypocrites.

 

Ummm..."sacred"? Surely not.

And as above - the current administration certainly got a strong (and, IMO, wrong) take on issues relating to international cooperation and commitments. Applying this as a general USA policy, not really.

[Morch]

23 minutes ago, the guest said:

If China joins up with Russia, then the USA would have a big problem on its hands.

 

Fantasies are free. China isn't going to "join" with Russia or vice versa.

[Morch]

1 hour ago, soalbundy said:

Of course they do, they just aren't being so hypocritical about it

 

How are they not being hypocritical about it? If the keywords was "so", then yes, obviously countries who aren't superpowers got less chances to be hypocritical about such things.

[Kasane]

19 minutes ago, Morch said:

 

USA A Rouge Nation, Says Poster. Of course it is, there there.

I said rogue. Dishonest or unprincipled.

Not rouge. That's a red powder or cream used as a cosmetic for coloring cheeks or lips. 

 

[Morch]

9 minutes ago, Kasane said:

I said rogue. Dishonest or unprincipled.

Not rouge. That's a red powder or cream used as a cosmetic for coloring cheeks or lips. 

 

 

And you think my typo error makes your argument more compelling?

[Odysseus123]

I guess that a lot of Asians do know that they have utterly defeated these morons in battle 1964-1975.

[Kasane]

5 minutes ago, Morch said:

 

And you think my typo error makes your argument more compelling?

???? 

[Odysseus123]

Sad away..Morch!

 

I shall amend that to 1948-1975.

 

Martin Windrow-'The last Valley'

 

Max Hastings-'Vietnam-an Epic Tragedy.'

 

When I want to listen to retired CIA apologists,I shall of course,look you up!.

 

 

[Odysseus123]

5 minutes ago, billd766 said:

Morch is a firm believer in 

 

https://www.yourdictionary.com/my-country-right-or-wrong

 

Phrase
an expression of patriotism.
Usage notes
Frequently used either as an expression of jingoism (extreme patriotism), in the sense “I will stand by my country whether it be right or wrong”, or as a straw man to attack such patriotism as unthinking.

Origin
Originally Stephen Decatur, in an after-dinner toast of 1816–1820:

“Our Country! In her intercourse with foreign nations may she always be in the right; but right or wrong, our country!”
Later stated by, and often attributed to, Carl Schurz, 1872.

“My country, right or wrong; if right, to be kept right; and if wrong, to be set right.”

 

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Stephen-Decatur

Ah..Stephen Decatur was  great sailor-but whether you would take him as the polar star of informed patriotism is another matter,indeed.

Edited June 1, 2019 by Odysseus123

[Tug]

Take heart the USA will have new management soon(hopefully)before 2020 we have all seen Donald trying to bulley others he has no talent for any of this he has failed on so many levels unless of course he is trying to wreak the USA and her interests for someone

[IAMHERE]

4 hours ago, the guest said:

If China joins up with Russia, then the USA would have a big problem on its hands.

the original idea was to 'trade' with China in order to drive a wedge between them and Russia. I have to agree in theory with most of the comments; America should give up being the superpower policeman of the world and concentrate on the Homeland. Bring all troops home including the navy, there is an entire continent to protect.

[Dumbastheycome]

5 minutes ago, oilinki said:

Who knows at this stage what the world is currently?

 

It's well known secret that Russia asked permission from the USA to nuke Peking. Fortunately it didn't happen, but naturally the Chinese remember these stories. 

 

Then again, China joined to one of the largest Russian military drill. That was a show of power against USA.

 

Now that USA has started it's trade war against both Russia and the Europe, due it's Freedom Molecules. Trying to block Russian gas flowing to the Europe. 

 

This is not going to end well with the USA, which is fighting economically against pretty much everybody at the moment. 

 

The rest of the world is going to stop, breath, think and act. That act will be against USA, if USA doesn't stop bullying against everybody.

 

The USA Administration  has  never stopped it's  abuses and  manipulation of even it's  own  gullible  home  grown patriot  war fodder under the  guise  of  democratic  freedom. The legitimacy  of that ruse  is now coming into increasing  question .

The  current  alienation and isolating policies are basically  a declaration  of invitation to test the long held propagandist assumption of superiority.

A dangerous situation  for the  world  given the pointless  havoc  that is  capable of all sides in provoked reaction.

 

 

[Odysseus123]

54 minutes ago, oilinki said:

As long as USA has a sensible leader, which it doesn't have currently, western unity will hold. 

 

If USA is gone, the other western countries, which hold the same values of their people's freedoms, will create a new union. 

 

I would say at that point the EU will have to step up to become the new western powerhouse. It takes time, but at least the ideology has already started to arise due unpredictability of the USA.

 

Perhaps..

But one hopes that the US will get rid of this twittering lunatic and return to more normal times.

 

They are perfectly capable of doing this if they can get their head around it.

[Morch]

1 hour ago, oilinki said:

Who knows at this stage what the world is currently?

 

It's well known secret that Russia asked permission from the USA to nuke Peking. Fortunately it didn't happen, but naturally the Chinese remember these stories. 

 

Then again, China joined to one of the largest Russian military drill. That was a show of power against USA.

 

Now that USA has started it's trade war against both Russia and the Europe, due it's Freedom Molecules. Trying to block Russian gas flowing to the Europe. 

 

This is not going to end well with the USA, which is fighting economically against pretty much everybody at the moment. 

 

The rest of the world is going to stop, breath, think and act. That act will be against USA, if USA doesn't stop bullying against everybody.

 

 

I think most of the World realizes that Trump is not a permanent feature, and that (hopefully sooner the later) the USA will get back to track. 

[Morch]

1 hour ago, oilinki said:

As long as USA has a sensible leader, which it doesn't have currently, western unity will hold. 

 

If USA is gone, the other western countries, which hold the same values of their people's freedoms, will create a new union. 

 

I would say at that point the EU will have to step up to become the new western powerhouse. It takes time, but at least the ideology has already started to arise due unpredictability of the USA.

 

 

I think that's a very optimistic take on how things could unfold. Nothing seen from Europe and the EU today inspires a whole lot of confidence in their ability to unite - at least not in a manner positioning the EU as a global power able to counterbalance the likes of Russia and China.

 

That's pretty much why I see the USA as essential, warts and all. Not a knight in shining armor. Just better than the alternative.

[Scott]

Post reported and removed. 

[55Jay]

Well, the US has been tip toeing.  I liked President Obama, good dude, good orator, but he was weak on this, and his Secretary of State on the vassal puppet state, N. Korea.

 

Trump, while lacking bedside manner and anything resembling diplomatic aplomb and a decent hair cut, is fk'ing them off in a way they aren't used to - but in a way they would do themselves if necessary.  Easily.  Certainly. 

 

They are punching back now.  Both sides still jabbing, regarding each other's potential, their own losses and how much they are willing to accept.  Trump is more erratic and brash than his patient opponent who sees things in much  longer term views.  Trump is a moron but he's not entirely wrong in the essence of what he's doing.  And he's trying to do it in 4 years (or maybe 8, but who knows).  Something Xi doesn't have to worry about.

 

These Chinese a**holes don't respect weakness and they'll fk you at the drive-thru if you let them.  Same with the Arabs. 

 

They've had their run for long enough and it's about time somebody recognized their BS and punched back instead of kissing their a** 'cause we like the prices at Walmart.  It's going to get worse before it gets better, but in the long run, these ham-handed actions just might put the Chinese back in their place, as long as it's on their own terms and they can save a little face.

 

I'm not betting on it because the log has floated down the river long enough, but there's a chance.  They are smart.  They have leverage.  Trump is playing what hand the US has left.  Americans, and by extension many parts of the world, will pay a price for his actions.  Short term pain for potential long term gains, which may never happen, but at least he can't say he didn't try. 

 

Big ups @riclag  ????

 

Edited June 1, 2019 by 55Jay