Menacing US Hostility Toward China
by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org – Home – Stephen Lendman)
Washington is hostile toward all sovereign independent nations, Russia, China, and Iran alone standing in its way of achieving unchallenged global dominance – all three governments targeted for regime change.
Speaking at the Shrangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, US war secretary Mattis wrongfully accused China of “intimidation and coercion” in the South China Sea, warning of “consequences” if Beijing fails to bend to Washington’s will, adding:
“Make no mistake. America is in the Indo-Pacific to stay. This is our priority theater” – seeking dominance over all parts of the world not its own, a prescription for endless conflicts, an imperial agenda China, Russia, Iran, and all other peace-loving nations abhor.
Mattis’ irresponsible remark reflects how Washington operates globally, meddling in the affairs of other nations everywhere – unacceptably and belligerently, not how China operates, cooperating with other nations, not seeking dominance over them by military or other means.
Mattis referred to Beijing’s development of man-made islands in its own waters, its legitimate right, including militarizing them for self-defense, not aggression the way Washington operates against governments it wants toppled, wanting pro-Western puppet regimes replacing them.
In response to his hostile comments, Chinese General He Lei called them “irresponsible,” adding they “cannot be accepted.”
Beijing is justifiably outraged by numerous US provocative incursions into or near Chinese waters.
Last week, the Trump regime withdrew an invitation for Beijing to participate in this summer’s multinational Pacific Rim (RIMPAC) maritime exercise – calling it a “response to China’s continued militarization of the South China Sea” – its legal right.
Beijing promotes world peace and stability, opposing war everywhere, polar opposite US policy, waging endless wars of aggression in multiple theaters, peace an anathema notion for Washington under Republicans and undemocratic Dems.
Mattis turned truth on its head, claiming the Trump regime favors “work(ing) collaboratively” with other nations – ignoring America’s global bullying, its endless aggression against governments it wants toppled.
Days earlier, Beijing protested Washington’s latest provocative incursion into Chinese territorial waters near its Xisha Islands, an unacceptable show of force, an irritant repeated time and again on the phony pretext of pursuing “freedom of navigation” – unacceptable in waters not its own without permission.
US regional aggression is a constant threat, why China continues militarizing on its mainland and in offshore man-made islands – a strong deterrent to strike back if attacked.
Beijing prefers resolving bilateral and multilateral differences diplomatically. Washington prefers brute force and other hostile actions.
Hawkish US Pacific Command Admiral Harry Harris turned truth on its head, claiming China will “realize…hegemony in Asia” if Washington and its imperial partners don’t stop its government.
Belligerent US General Kenneth McKenzie warned about longstanding Pentagon “experience in the Western Pacific (to) tak(e) down small islands” and “blow apart” China’s man-made ones.
On Thursday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying blasted hostile US remarks. Accusing China of militarizing the region is “like a thief crying, ‘stop thief,’ “ she stressed, adding Washington is unacceptably “obsessed with hegemony.”
Mattis said the “steady drumbeat” of US naval operations in waters not its own will continue.
China’s Global Times said Beijing “won’t allow any external powers to build hostile barriers against China in the region,” adding:
“We have enough strength and a firm resolution to fight back until they abandon such motives.”
China’s Defense Ministry spokesperson Wu Qian said Beijing stands ready to protect and defend its sovereignty, regional peace and stability.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said his government is prepared to confront any hostile actions threatening China’s security – including provocative trespassing by US warships in its territorial waters without permission of its government.
VISIT MY NEW WEB SITE: stephenlendman.org (Home – Stephen Lendman). Contact at [email protected].
My newest book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III."
