On July 27, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd James Austin III gave a speech at the Fullerton Lecture, peddling the U.S. "Indo-Pacific Strategy" while making China a target. He not only interfered in China's internal affairs by referring to matters relating to Taiwan and Xinjiang, but also played up the so-called China threat in an attempt to drive a wedge between China and its neighbors. These remarks distorted facts and created falsehoods, only to serve the U.S. geopolitical strategy. Although Mr. Austin's speech is the same old story with no new ideas, the fact that he chose to attack and smear China in Singapore makes it necessary for the Chinese Embassy in Singapore to declare its position to set the record straight.

Mr. Austin's claim to use the "One China Policy of the United States" to deal with the Taiwan issue is both deceptive and arrogant. There is only one China in the world, and the One China policy has only one standard and one bottom line. The U.S. side has made a serious political commitment in relation to the Taiwan issue in the three China-U.S. joint communiqués a long time ago, but now it is blatantly reneging on that commitment and backtracking on its position. Mr. Austin's allegation that China has committed genocide and crimes against humanity against Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang is a deliberate smear against China for purely political purposes. Over the years, Xinjiang has seen its Uyghur population and their life expectancy doubled, and its Uyghur people getting wealthier and more educated. Despite this, the United States has never ceased to support and incite violent and religious extremist forces in Xinjiang with the intention of disrupting Xinjiang and containing China. It is the common desire and firm determination of the Chinese people to achieve complete national reunification and safeguard state sovereignty and security. Whether the U.S. side plays the "Taiwan card" or the "Xinjiang card," it is doomed to failure.

Mr. Austin’s remarks concerning the South China Sea and China-India relations are made to sow discord between China and its neighbors. There are overlapping claims of territorial sovereignty and maritime rights between China and several ASEAN countries in the South China Sea, while the land boundaries of China and India have not been delimitated. Over the years, China and countries concerned have effectively managed differences through dialogue and consultation, and safeguarded the peace and stability in the region. China and ASEAN countries are making active efforts to advance consultations on the the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. It is the interference and meddling of the U.S. that has made many regional issues worse. China and its neighbors have the capability and wisdom to handle differences through friendly consultations, and surely do not need the U.S. pointing fingers.

Today, peace, development and cooperation represent the irresistible trend and meet the aspiration of the people in the region. Repeated and groundless attacks against China by the U.S. are nothing but provocations. Such moves go against the trend and will lead to nowhere at all. It is our sincere wish that the U.S. could put aside its arrogance and prejudice, stop acting as a preacher, and participate in regional cooperation in a more humble manner. We dare not entertain hopes that the U.S. would contribute positively to regional prosperity, but we certainly will not allow the U.S. to stir up troubles in the region.