China’s Minister of Defense Gen. Wei Fenghe Issues Strong Warning to U.S. in Singapore

June 2, 2019 (EIRNS)—Gen. Wei Fenghe, State Councilor and Minister of National Defense, spoke Sunday at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, strongly defending China against the massive anti-China campaign, and issuing a strong warning to the U.S. to end the attack and join forces with China for mutual benefit.

He asked four questions:

“1. First, which should we choose, peace and development or conflict and confrontation?... What is the cause for regional wars and conflicts, the spread of terrorism, the chaos in the Middle East and the refugee crisis in Europe? Who are behind all these and what is the root cause? These are the questions to be reflected on. Some deliberately create division and hostility, provoke confrontation, meddle with regional affairs, interfere in internal affairs of others, and frequently resort to arms. Whose interests on earth do they serve and whose do they harm?

“2. Which should we choose, openness and inclusiveness or isolation and exclusiveness? See the world with an open and inclusive mind, and there will be friends and partners everywhere. See the world with a narrow and exclusive mind, and there are only enemies and adversaries. This is a self-fulfilling prophecy....

“3. Which should we choose, win-win cooperation or zero-sum game? Win-win cooperation makes the pie bigger and brings more benefits to all. However, zero-sum game makes no winner and harms the interests of both sides. Currently, over 150 countries and international organizations have proactively joined China’s Belt and Road Initiative.... People can tell what is right.

“4. Which should we choose, mutual learning among civilizations or arrogance and prejudice? A few days ago, China successfully hosted the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations. We believe that human civilizations are and should be colorful, equal, inclusive and willing to learn from each other. Not a single civilization should be worshiped or belittled.”

The Chinese people, he said “know only too well the value of peace and cruelty and destructiveness of war.” He said that the “China threat theory” is due to “misunderstanding, prejudice, or even a hidden agenda.”

On foreign policy he distinguished China from the “conditionalities” policies of the imperial powers: “China understands and respects the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all countries, and supports the social systems and development paths they independently choose. China is not able to progress in isolation from the rest of the world; the world also needs China to prosper.”