Why is China allowed to freely threaten war? (Opinion)
Should authoritarian countries like China be given an international forum to spout forth threats of war, as General Wei Fenghe did at the Shangri-La Dialogue? (IISS)
China used the opportunity afforded by Shangri-La Dialogue 2022 to advocate war and browbeat Taiwan.
The world was rightly shocked when Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February, even though President Vladimir Putin had threatened such action beforehand. Too few took Putin seriously, with the conflict now grinding into a war of attrition that chews up hundreds of casualties daily.
Consider China then, another authoritarian regime that routinely threatens war against Taiwan and refuses to eschew the use of military force. Alarmingly, its warlike intentions were on stark display when Chinese National Defence Minister Gen Wei Fenghe took to the stage at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on 12 June.
What did this former People’s Liberation
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Defence Notes
-
![Pentagon’s FY26 defence budget proposal is $130 billion more than US Congress plans to provide]()
Pentagon’s FY26 defence budget proposal is $130 billion more than US Congress plans to provide
The House Committee on Appropriations approved a FY2026 bill reducing investments in main defence programmes.
-
![What role could holographic and 3D capabilities play in the warfare of tomorrow]()
What role could holographic and 3D capabilities play in the warfare of tomorrow
Holographic and 3D technologies have been lauded by some for their ability to provide technical and operational advantages for military training and planning. But is the hype truly justified?
-
![Unfolding the Golden Dome for America: Seven things you should know about the programme]()
Unfolding the Golden Dome for America: Seven things you should know about the programme
Shephard talked to multiple experts about the most pressing concerns and considerations regarding the air defence system advocated by President Trump.
-
![Industry welcomes UK Strategic Defence Review, but pressure remains on future defence investment plans]()
Industry welcomes UK Strategic Defence Review, but pressure remains on future defence investment plans
While industry reception to the SDR has been positive, questions still remain from analyst and trade associations about what this could mean for future investment and the future UK Defence Industrial Strategy.
