China’s defense minister, Li Shangfu, issued a warning against “playing with fire” in relation to Taiwan during a security conference in Russia. Speaking at the Moscow Conference on International Security, Li stated that attempts to “use Taiwan to contain China” would “surely end in failure.” These comments reflect previous statements made by Chinese officials, but the location of Li’s speech holds significance due to Moscow’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
China’s ruling Communist Party claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has vowed to take control of it, even by force if necessary. The country has repeatedly criticized American interactions with Taiwan, including the sale of US arms to the island. Li, who was previously sanctioned by the US in 2018 for purchasing Russian weapons, attended the Moscow security conference as part of his six-day trip to Russia and Belarus.
The conference will also be attended by senior defense officials from more than 20 “friendly states,” including Belarus, Iran, and Myanmar. Notably, no Western countries were invited to the event. This visit marks Li’s second trip to Russia since assuming his role as defense chief earlier this year. Despite China’s ongoing assault on Ukraine, which has caused a humanitarian disaster, Beijing has continued to strengthen its security ties with Moscow.
In a pre-recorded message to the same conference, Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the US of exacerbating global conflicts, including through its support of Ukraine. China has used similar rhetoric in its official comments about the conflict, while maintaining that it remains a neutral party and a proponent of peace. Li emphasized China’s military as a “firm force in maintaining world peace” and stated that Chinese leader Xi Jinping aims to stabilize global security in a “world of chaos.”
Li also expressed China’s willingness to work with other militaries to strengthen mutual trust in military security strategies and practical cooperation in various specialized fields. Russian state-run media, Sputnik, cited Li as saying that military relations between China and Russia do not target any third party, a point previously made by Chinese officials. Li also held bilateral meetings with defense officials and military leaders from Iran, Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, Vietnam, and other countries on the sidelines of the conference.
Li’s comments on Taiwan come as Taiwan’s Vice President William Lai, a front-runner in the upcoming presidential race, made planned stopovers in the United States during an official visit to Paraguay. China’s foreign ministry condemned the stopover, referring to Lai as a “troublemaker through and through.”
What message does Li’s warning against interference in Taiwan from Moscow send about China’s stance on territorial integrity and its relationship with Russia
Urity conference as part of China’s efforts to strengthen its international alliances and counter Western influence.
Li’s warning against “playing with fire” in relation to Taiwan is a clear message that China will not tolerate any attempts to challenge its control over the island. This statement echoes previous remarks made by Chinese officials, affirming China’s determination to unify Taiwan with the mainland.
The choice of Moscow as the location for Li’s speech is significant in light of Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. It is likely that China is using this platform to demonstrate solidarity with Russia and to showcase its opposition to Western intervention in Ukraine. By delivering his warning against interference in Taiwan from Moscow, Li is sending a strong message that China stands united with Russia in defending its territorial integrity.
China’s Communist Party has consistently claimed Taiwan as part of its territory, and the issue remains a highly sensitive and volatile issue in the region. The Chinese government has repeatedly criticized any interactions between Taiwan and the United States, including the sale of US arms to the island. Li’s attendance at the Moscow security conference, following his previous US sanctions in 2018 for purchasing Russian weapons, further highlights China’s efforts to forge alliances and counter Western influence.
Overall, Li’s warning against “playing with fire” regarding Taiwan reiterates China’s uncompromising stance on the issue and underscores its commitment to safeguarding its territorial integrity. The choice of Moscow as the location for the speech adds weight to China’s message by aligning itself with Russia amidst the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.
