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Reiterating China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea and condemning the United States for its trade tariffs, the Chinese foreign minister, Wang Yi, strongly criticized the United States in his annual press conference, as well as Japan’s wartime past and heightened tensions in the Asia-Pacific region. Wang addressed multiple global and regional issues, highlighting China’s more defiant posture, countering Western influence and shoring up its geopolitical position.
Wang downplayed the rising friction as a “shadow play” perpetrated by the United States, claiming that Manila was being used as a pawn by outsiders. He said that recent incidents in disputed waters were “scripted stories” aimed at “smearing China,” and that they were intended to tarnish China’s image in the world.
“China will continue to legally protect its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights,” Wang said. “In addressing the Second Thomas Shoal and in the Scarborough Shoal, we will do so in the spirit in which we are humanitarian (as) our timing dictates,” she said. But let me say this to those out there: Vex not, and trespass no more. Those who will allow themselves to be chess pieces will be discarded in the end.”
Wang’s comments also indicate China’s resolute position on the South China Sea issue, as the country continues to display no inclination to give ground in the face of widening diplomatic pressure from the U.S. and its allies.
Wang said that China, as well as Thailand, Myanmar and Laos, had succeeded in dismantling many of these scam centers, especially in northern Myanmar, near the Chinese border.
“All the cyber fraud hubs in the vicinity of the northern border of Myanmar have been eradicated,” Wang said. “China is closely coordinating with regional countries to crack down on cyber fraud taking place in areas along the border between Thailand and Myanmar. Our goal is to sever the evil hands that are extended toward the people and eliminate the cancer of Internet fraud.”
Yet cybercrime is a constant issue. Once authorities crack down, criminal syndicates are known to quickly shift their operations, making it difficult to stamp out such activities. But despite China’s crackdown, scam operations have continued to draw in people everywhere, including victims in the U.S. and elsewhere.
He went on to tie Japan’s position to Taiwan, a self-governing island democracy that was under Japanese colonial rule until the end of World War II. Taiwan has also cultivated close ties with Japan, fueling Chinese animosity further.
It is “better to remember that if Taiwan makes trouble, it will cause trouble for Japan,” Wang cautioned, implying that Japan would face repercussions if it supported Taiwan.
China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory, has often said it would bring the island under its control by force if it is necessary to do so. Japan’s growing support of Taiwan, coupled with U.S. military assistance, have also ramped up tensions in the region.
China also claims control over several uninhabited rocks in the East China Sea, now under Japan’s administration, that it disputes. That area has remained a fault line between China and Japan, with Chinese ships and aircraft repeatedly entering the area near the disputed islands and Japan scrambling fighter jets to respond.
“The U.S. stirs up trouble every time,” Wang said. “It is China, however, that is at the center of stability in Asia, the engine of economic development, and the pillar of regional security.”
He stressed China’s pledge that it would provide “open regionalism,” encouraging Asian countries to work with each other based on mutual respect and economic interest instead of taking sides with external powers.
But the Asia-Pacific has become increasingly a battleground of influence, both between China and the U.S. The South Pacific, specifically, has become a new front of geopolitical rivalry, as China has signed a series of clandestine security agreements and offered infrastructure projects with Pacific countries. The U.S., Australia and New Zealand have been alarmed by such moves, and in response has sought to bolster ties with Pacific island nations.
The shifting balance of power could play to China’s advantage, Wang suggested. He noted that a decline in U.S. aid to some Pacific countries, coupled with bewitching economic stakes from China, could pull these states closer to Beijing. They include Tuvalu, Palau and the Marshall Islands — three of the world’s few remaining countries that diplomatically acknowledge Taiwan as a sovereign state rather than as part of China.
South China Sea: ‘Shadow Play’ by the U.S.
One of the big issues Wang touched on was the continuing disputes in the South China Sea, where China has often had very public disagreements with the Philippines over control of important maritime regions. China claims almost the whole of the South China Sea, despite rival claims from neighboring countries and international court rulings dismissing its territorial claims.Wang downplayed the rising friction as a “shadow play” perpetrated by the United States, claiming that Manila was being used as a pawn by outsiders. He said that recent incidents in disputed waters were “scripted stories” aimed at “smearing China,” and that they were intended to tarnish China’s image in the world.
“China will continue to legally protect its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights,” Wang said. “In addressing the Second Thomas Shoal and in the Scarborough Shoal, we will do so in the spirit in which we are humanitarian (as) our timing dictates,” she said. But let me say this to those out there: Vex not, and trespass no more. Those who will allow themselves to be chess pieces will be discarded in the end.”
Wang’s comments also indicate China’s resolute position on the South China Sea issue, as the country continues to display no inclination to give ground in the face of widening diplomatic pressure from the U.S. and its allies.
A Crackdown on Cyber Fraud in Myanmar
Alongside the geopolitical issues, Wang also addressed China’s efforts to combat transnational cybercriminals, specifically the scam operations that have emerged in Myanmar that have victims in China. Some of these scams are connected with organized crime, wherein the workers are coerced to make scam calls to victims in China.Wang said that China, as well as Thailand, Myanmar and Laos, had succeeded in dismantling many of these scam centers, especially in northern Myanmar, near the Chinese border.
“All the cyber fraud hubs in the vicinity of the northern border of Myanmar have been eradicated,” Wang said. “China is closely coordinating with regional countries to crack down on cyber fraud taking place in areas along the border between Thailand and Myanmar. Our goal is to sever the evil hands that are extended toward the people and eliminate the cancer of Internet fraud.”
Yet cybercrime is a constant issue. Once authorities crack down, criminal syndicates are known to quickly shift their operations, making it difficult to stamp out such activities. But despite China’s crackdown, scam operations have continued to draw in people everywhere, including victims in the U.S. and elsewhere.
Japan’s Role in Regional Tensions and the Taiwan Issue
Wang also directed fire toward Japan, accusing the country of not sufficiently facing up to its wartime aggression as the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II approaches. He said anti-Japanese sentiment still runs strong in China because of Japan’s invasion of and occupation of Chinese land in the 20th century. Wang’s comments reflect China’s longstanding use of history to pressure Japan in diplomatic disputes.He went on to tie Japan’s position to Taiwan, a self-governing island democracy that was under Japanese colonial rule until the end of World War II. Taiwan has also cultivated close ties with Japan, fueling Chinese animosity further.
It is “better to remember that if Taiwan makes trouble, it will cause trouble for Japan,” Wang cautioned, implying that Japan would face repercussions if it supported Taiwan.
China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory, has often said it would bring the island under its control by force if it is necessary to do so. Japan’s growing support of Taiwan, coupled with U.S. military assistance, have also ramped up tensions in the region.
China also claims control over several uninhabited rocks in the East China Sea, now under Japan’s administration, that it disputes. That area has remained a fault line between China and Japan, with Chinese ships and aircraft repeatedly entering the area near the disputed islands and Japan scrambling fighter jets to respond.
China Criticizes U.S. Role in the Asia-Pacific
Wang was relentless in criticizing the United States’ increasing military footprint in the Asia-Pacific. He accused the United States of destabilizing the region with the deployment of intermediate-range missiles close to China and by fomenting divisions among Asian nations.“The U.S. stirs up trouble every time,” Wang said. “It is China, however, that is at the center of stability in Asia, the engine of economic development, and the pillar of regional security.”
He stressed China’s pledge that it would provide “open regionalism,” encouraging Asian countries to work with each other based on mutual respect and economic interest instead of taking sides with external powers.
But the Asia-Pacific has become increasingly a battleground of influence, both between China and the U.S. The South Pacific, specifically, has become a new front of geopolitical rivalry, as China has signed a series of clandestine security agreements and offered infrastructure projects with Pacific countries. The U.S., Australia and New Zealand have been alarmed by such moves, and in response has sought to bolster ties with Pacific island nations.
The shifting balance of power could play to China’s advantage, Wang suggested. He noted that a decline in U.S. aid to some Pacific countries, coupled with bewitching economic stakes from China, could pull these states closer to Beijing. They include Tuvalu, Palau and the Marshall Islands — three of the world’s few remaining countries that diplomatically acknowledge Taiwan as a sovereign state rather than as part of China.
