US defense chief slams China as rising threat to world order

MUNICH (AP) — U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Saturday cast China as a rising threat to
world order — saying the world’s most populous nation steals Western know-how, intimidates
smaller neighbors and seeks an “advantage by any means and at any cost.”

A frequent critic of China, Esper used an address to a world security conference in
Munich, Germany, to offer his most comprehensive condemnation yet of a communist country
that he said tops the Pentagon’s list of potential adversaries, followed by Russia, “rogue states”
like North Korea and Iran, and continuing threats from extremist groups.

“The Chinese Communist Party is heading even faster and further within the wrong direction – more
internal repression, more predatory economic practices, more heavy-handedness, and most
concerning on behalf of me , a more aggressive military capability ,” he said.

Esper stressed that the us doesn't want conflicts with China, and noted that the U.S.
government has provided medical supplies to assist China combat a coronavirus outbreak that
has infected over 67,000 people. Still, he said Beijing has made clear its long-term intentions and
said Europe and therefore the remainder of the planet must “wake up” to the threats that China poses.

“The Communist Party and its associated organs, including the People’s Liberation Army, are
increasingly operating in theaters outside its borders, including Europe, and seeking advantage
by any means, and at any cost,” he said.

“While we frequently doubt the transparency and forthrightness of Beijing, when it involves their
security aims, we should always take the Chinese government at its word,” he said. “They have said that
by 2035, the PRC intends to finish its military modernization, and, by 2049, it seeks to
dominate Asia because the preeminent global military power.”

With words that echoed the Trump administration’s criticisms of Iran, Esper said China represses
its people and threatens its neighbors.

“We want China to behave sort of a normal country,” Esper said, adding “and meaning the
Chinese government must change its policies and behaviors.”

Esper and his immediate predecessor, Jim Mattis, have sought to shift the most focus of U.S.
military and security policy toward China and faraway from small wars against insurgents and
extremists. U.S. allies in Europe, while concerned about China’s rise, are more immediately
worried about Russia.

C hinese secretary of state Wang Yi later responded, telling the forum that Esper and U.S.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo “say an equivalent thing wherever they are going about China” and
dismissed their remarks as “lies.”

“The root explanation for of these problems and issues is that the U.S. doesn't want to ascertain the rapid
development and rejuvenation of China, and still less would they need to simply accept the success of a
socialist country,” Wang said through a translator.

He said China had a “right to develop” and said if Beijing and Washington worked together, it
would benefit the entire world.

“The most vital task for China and therefore the U.S. is to take a seat down together to possess a significant
dialogue and find how for 2 major countries with different social systems to measure consonant
and interact in peace,” he said. “China’s ready and that we hope the U.S. will work with us.”

In remarks to the conference earlier Saturday, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said
China presents challenges also as opportunities for Western nations. He said Europe and therefore the
us got to compute a united approach to China’s rise.

“There are opportunities, but also many challenges,” Stoltenberg said, adding that it’s important
for Western countries to stay open lines of communication with Beijing.

Also at the Munich conference, Pompeo refuted assertions that the us under
President Donald Trump was rejecting its traditional international leadership role.

“I’m happy to report that the death of the transatlantic alliance is grossly over-exaggerated,”
Pompeo said. “The West is winning.”