WASHINGTON: A Chinese defense official has accused the United States of attempting to establish an Asia-Pacific version of NATO through its “Indo-Pacific strategy” in order to maintain its dominance in the region.
Lieutenant General Jing Jianfeng, deputy chief of staff of the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission, made these remarks in response to US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin’s advocacy of the “Indo-Pacific strategy” during his keynote speech at a briefing for media by the Chinese Defense Ministry delegation at the 21st Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.
Jing said that the US “Indo-Pacific strategy” reflects a Cold War mindset and a zero-sum game approach, seeking to create an exclusive club under the guise of promoting regional cooperation.
He claimed that the true intention is to incorporate smaller circles into a larger framework akin to an Asia-Pacific NATO, thereby preserving US-led hegemony.
Jing criticized the strategy for opposing the desires of regional countries for peace, development, cooperation, and mutual benefit, alleging that it serves only the selfish geopolitical interests of the United States and is destined for failure.
US strategy fosters divisions
Using ASEAN as an example, Jing argued that the US strategy fosters divisions by forming various small coalitions, undermining ASEAN-centered cooperation while claiming support for ASEAN’s central role. He warned that these coalitions would heighten regional tensions and tie regional countries to US interests, thus destabilizing the Asia-Pacific region.
Jing emphasized that the Asia-Pacific region should be a platform for peaceful development, not geopolitical maneuvering.
He stressed China’s commitment to principles of friendship, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness, highlighting China’s efforts to collaborate with regional partners in building a shared future.
Regarding the Chinese military, Jing highlighted its adherence to the Global Security Initiative and its provision of international public security goods, such as medical services through the “Peace Ark” hospital ship and humanitarian relief missions with the Y-20 military transport aircraft in the Asia-Pacific region.
Jing expressed the Chinese military’s willingness to engage in strategic communication and practical cooperation with regional counterparts to contribute to the construction of an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future.
