BEIJING: China’s second-ranked military official, speaking at a military forum on Monday (Oct 30), vowed to develop military ties with the United States while accusing “some countries” of “creating turbulence” and trying to undermine Communist Party rule.
The Beijing Xiangshan Forum, China’s biggest annual show of military diplomacy, began Sunday without the country’s defence minister, who typically hosts the event.
“We will deepen strategic cooperation and coordination with Russia, and on the basis of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, develop military ties with the US,” Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, said during a keynote address at the forum. China’s defence minister has delivered that speech in previous years.
China and the US have had no direct military-to-military communications since the Washington-sanctioned former Chinese defence minister, Li Shangfu, was appointed in March.
Li was sacked last week without explanation, and China did not name a replacement. Reuters reported last month that Li, who has been missing for two months, was being investigated over corruption.
“Some countries deliberately create turbulence and interfere in other countries’ internal affairs, and instigate colour revolutions,” Zhang said, in a veiled attack at Western countries including the United States, which is increasingly coordinating with allies to curtail Beijing’s military ambitions.