Beijing Xiangshan Forum Highlights Heated China-US Dispute Over Taiwan and South China Sea

The Beijing Xiangshan Forum, a high-profile international security conference, was held for three consecutive days, featuring a series of interviews, dialogues, and discussions between Chinese and foreign scholars, military officers, and celebrities. The event drew significant attention from the United States, with the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, Michael Chase, leading a delegation to attend the meeting.

The forum organized a special topic “China-US Relations” in the “High-End Interviews,” and also added the topic “The Right Way for China and the United States to Get Together” in the parallel group sessions. Wu Xinbo and Hua Ziqiang had a heated exchange on the issues of Sino-US relations and Taiwan in an interview.

Scholars Point Out Inconsistencies in US Words and Actions

Wu Xinbo pointed out that from the US perspective, the essence of bilateral relations is “competition,” but for China, “competition” is a euphemism, as the US is actually trying to “limit” or “stop” China. Hua Ziqiang responded that the US understands China’s opinion, but it also depends on “specific policies.”

Wu Xinbo countered that the US says one thing and does another, making China feel that the US is no longer committed to the one-China policy, but is increasingly inclined to encourage Taiwan’s independence. Hua Ziqiang said that the differences between the US and China have been long-standing, and the current structure does not meet the needs of both sides.

He Lei: China Will Not Always Be Patient

He Lei stated in a media interview that the US should not have any illusions or take any chances on the Taiwan issue. China always strives for peaceful reunification, but does not rule out using other methods to deal with the intervention of external forces and the efforts of a very small number of “Taiwan independence” elements.

Regarding the South China Sea issue, He Lei pointed out that the US is clashing with camps and pushing others to the front line “to serve as cannon fodder, hostages, and guns in the hand.” However, at a certain point, the US will have no choice but to jump to the fore. This approach will ultimately achieve no results, and is opposed by most countries around the world.