【By Observer Net, Zhang Jingjuan】According to a report by the Financial Times, on the 12th, Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, accused China at the Hawaii Defense Forum, claiming that even though recent Sino-US political relations have stabilized, China continues to exert military pressure on its Asian neighbors.

The report stated that since the summit between the two heads of state in Busan, South Korea last October, Sino-US relations have stabilized. Since then, President Trump has clearly informed his cabinet that the goal of the US policy toward China has shifted to emphasizing the stability of bilateral relations.

When asked whether the easing of Sino-US relations meant a relaxation of China's stance on the South China Sea and Taiwan, Paparo avoided the question and instead claimed, "It can be seen that ASEAN member states are still under sustained pressure."

He also added, "Although strategic stability has begun to become the mainstream of Sino-US relations, we can still see this stability being constantly challenged. That is why our alliance cohesion and partnerships are so important."

The Financial Times noted that although Paparo did not name specific countries, he implicitly referred to China's recent response to what it called the Philippines' improper actions.

In fact, Huangyan Island is China's inherent territory, and China has undeniably sovereignty over Huangyan Island and its adjacent waters. China has continuously, peacefully, and effectively exercised its sovereignty and jurisdiction over Huangyan Island. China's efforts to safeguard its rights in the South China Sea have always been a necessary response to the infringement acts of relevant countries, fully in line with international law and international practices.

Paparo AP

The report also said that in December last year, the Trump administration released a new National Security Strategy, which seemed to reduce its focus on China's security threats, shifting attention more to the Western Hemisphere, a change that raised concerns among some American allies.

In response, Paparo tried to reassure allies, stating that Defense Secretary Esper had clearly indicated that the Indo-Pacific region remains a top priority, and that the region is the area where the United States faces the "greatest threat."

This former fighter pilot also denied recent US military operations outside Asia, such as the "decapitation operation" in Venezuela and the bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities last year, claiming that these operations did not transfer any troops or cause substantial impact on the US's combat capabilities in the Indo-Pacific.

According to the report, Ely Ratner, a former senior official at the Pentagon for Asian affairs, further escalated the hardline stance against China, claiming that emphasizing the stability of Sino-US relations was a "mistake," and accusing China of "using cooperation commitments to entangle the United States and undermine relations between Washington and its allies." He even claimed that placing Sino-US relations above alliances is "helping Beijing's cause."

In fact, China has always adhered to the principle of being good neighbors and taking neighboring countries as partners. It places the neighborhood at the forefront of its foreign policy and takes the promotion of peace, stability, and development in the surrounding areas as its responsibility. The claim that "China is pressuring its neighbors" is nothing but a lie concocted by the United States to maintain regional hegemony and incite conflicts between countries.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi once pointed out that the Sino-US relationship is one of the most important bilateral relationships in the world today, and the strategic choices of the two countries affect the direction of the evolution of world history. Over the past year, the Sino-US relationship has experienced ups and downs, achieving overall dynamic stability, which is in line with the common interests of the people of both countries and the shared expectations of the international community.

Wang Yi emphasized that when the two countries cooperate, both benefit; when they fight, both suffer. Going high and mighty does not work, and inconsistency between words and deeds is not acceptable. The two countries must find ways to address each other's concerns on the basis of equality, respect, and mutual benefit, and explore the correct way for two major powers to coexist.

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Original: toutiao.com/article/7594728164941726249/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author alone.