In his debut appearance at the Shangri-La Dialogue, China's new defence minister, Dong Jun, delivered a tough message on Taiwan and took a veiled swipe at the Philippines. Addressing defence officials and international observers in Singapore, Dong reiterated Beijing's warnings against Taiwanese independence and international support for it, emphasizing that China would not tolerate any country creating war or chaos in the Asia-Pacific region.

Dong stated clearly, "Whoever dares to split Taiwan from China will be crushed to pieces and invite their own destruction." He stressed that Beijing was committed to peaceful reunification with Taiwan, but expressed concerns about Taiwan separatists and external forces undermining this prospect. Although he did not directly refer to the United States, it was evident that Dong accused Washington of "pushing Taiwan into danger" and being a troublemaker in the South China Sea under the pretext of "freedom of navigation."

During a question and answer session, Dong declined to comment on Ukraine or allegations of cyberattacks, instead focusing on China's "core interests" such as Taiwan and the South China Sea. Dong's appearance at the high-profile security forum comes six months into his position and two weeks after the inauguration of Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te, whom Beijing has labeled a "troublemaker" and "destroyer of cross-strait peace."

Dong's strong stance on Taiwan and the South China Sea reflects China's commitment to protecting its territorial integrity and maintaining stability in the region. However, these remarks come amidst tensions between China and the Philippines, as the two countries have been involved in a series of confrontations in the disputed waters.

Regarding the South China Sea, Dong emphasized the importance of peace for regional prosperity, urging countries to resolve disputes through dialogue and cooperation. He criticized a certain country, seemingly referring to the Philippines, for breaking bilateral agreements and making provocations that endanger regional security and stability.

The United States, though not recognizing Taiwan as an independent state, opposes any use of force to take control of it and supports providing arms for its defense. Dong mentioned China's willingness to engage in exchanges and cooperation with the US in terms of military relations, emphasizing the need for communication and avoiding confrontation.

Dong's speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue received mixed reactions. A US official anonymously criticized China's rhetoric, claiming it contradicted the reality of China's coercive activities in the region. Bonnie Glaser from the German Marshall Fund noted a "huge gap" between China's words and actions and pointed to Dong's refusal to answer certain questions as indicative of China's disregard for international rules and laws.

While Dong's remarks on Taiwan were deemed sharp, there was nothing new in his statements regarding the South China Sea. However, PLA senior colonel Cao Yanzhong argued that Dong needed to clarify Beijing's position due to President Lai's actions, which Cao viewed as a real danger. He suggested that the Taiwanese people were not fully aware of the risk of war in the Taiwan Strait.

Overall, Dong's speech underscores China's firm stance on issues of territorial integrity and its commitment to regional stability. The international community, however, continues to observe and assess the actions of China in relation to its rhetoric.

Note: Some information in this article is fictional and has been generated by the AI model.