Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

SouthBayDem

(31,962 posts)
Sat Jun 3, 2023, 12:25 AM Jun 2023

US Defense Secretary Austin says Washington won't stand for 'coercion and bullying' from China

Source: AP

SINGAPORE (AP) — American Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin vowed Saturday that Washington would not stand for any “coercion and bullying” of its allies and partners by China, while assuring Beijing that the United States remains committed to maintaining the status quo on Taiwan and would prefer dialogue over conflict.

Speaking at the so-called Shangri-La Dialogue, an annual forum bringing together top defense officials, diplomats and leaders, Austin lobbied for support for Washington’s vision of a “free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific within a world of rules and rights” as the best course to counter increasing Chinese assertiveness in the region.

The U.S. has been expanding its own activities around the Indo-Pacific to counter sweeping territorial claims from China, including regularly sailing through and flying over the Taiwan Strait and in the South China Sea.

“We are committed to ensuring that every country can fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows,” he said. “And every country, large or small, must remain free to conduct lawful maritime activities.”

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/us-china-lloyd-austin-defense-asia-de10a9233bf226288faf86676486eef3

18 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
US Defense Secretary Austin says Washington won't stand for 'coercion and bullying' from China (Original Post) SouthBayDem Jun 2023 OP
Can't wait to hear from our resident China apologists MarineCombatEngineer Jun 2023 #1
If anything, the US has had its head in the sand about China. Irish_Dem Jun 2023 #4
I'm thinking of one in particular. Elessar Zappa Jun 2023 #15
Who's China? BaronChocula Jun 2023 #2
The speech appears to be far more reconciliatory than anything else, too bad AP puts Alexander Of Assyria Jun 2023 #3
And right on cue. MarineCombatEngineer Jun 2023 #5
You're right. Never fails. paleotn Jun 2023 #11
So Grateful for Your Perspective! McKim Jun 2023 #6
Oh look, another one. MarineCombatEngineer Jun 2023 #7
Diplomacy prevents wars and ends wars. America even tried it in Sudan, just very recently!! Alexander Of Assyria Jun 2023 #8
Ask the Ukrainians about that. They'll give you an earful, Neville. paleotn Jun 2023 #10
"Pentagon must spend half the budget " more like 16% EX500rider Jun 2023 #13
OK, fine. Diplomacy usually means finding compromise. paleotn Jun 2023 #12
Half a planet away? EX500rider Jun 2023 #9
Once again people are lining up for war. Voltaire2 Jun 2023 #14
The Pentagon and Press reek of desperation trying to substitute China for collapsing Russia. Alexander Of Assyria Jun 2023 #17
Austin is doing an outstanding job Mysterian Jun 2023 #16
I also like the guy...intelligent, soft spoken...all speeches distorted by the war media. Alexander Of Assyria Jun 2023 #18

MarineCombatEngineer

(12,094 posts)
1. Can't wait to hear from our resident China apologists
Sat Jun 3, 2023, 12:28 AM
Jun 2023

on how the US is to blame for the deterioration of relations.

In 3..2..1..

Irish_Dem

(45,661 posts)
4. If anything, the US has had its head in the sand about China.
Sat Jun 3, 2023, 08:18 AM
Jun 2023

And was way too lenient.

Only after Putin invaded Ukraine did the world seem to wake up about China.

BaronChocula

(1,458 posts)
2. Who's China?
Sat Jun 3, 2023, 02:26 AM
Jun 2023

Must be one of those nutty white nationalist MAGA goppers in Congress who thinks the military is too WOKE.

 

Alexander Of Assyria

(7,839 posts)
3. The speech appears to be far more reconciliatory than anything else, too bad AP puts
Sat Jun 3, 2023, 07:41 AM
Jun 2023

such a negative spin on things. China has been reconciliatory, but that doesn’t sell well in a nation spending half its national budget on Guns, while its citizens are actually outnumbered by Guns! Who to replace the Russians with as a foil so the cash keeps rolling in?

...although America knows a thing or two about coercion and bullying, doesn’t it…how much of the world is assigned to the Pentagon to police and the taxpayer fork over for?? Holy cow status Pentagon is sad to see how both Ukraine and Russia are receptive to a China mediated negotiation.p, it’s not their thing.

Recent example…Meanwhile the America/Saudi effort in Sudan went nowhere…not the best at peace, those two! So..sanction some companies and save face!!

Last I checked Indo Pacific is…half a planet away…where is the so called national security interest that requires so many military bases, or does that abused term now cover anything and everything to justify a trillion dollars a year, slipped through Congress like beans and chili…Guns are beloved of all in Gunmerica…starting with the Pentagon.

paleotn

(17,781 posts)
11. You're right. Never fails.
Sat Jun 3, 2023, 10:41 AM
Jun 2023

If Neville Chamberlain and Joe Kennedy had just gotten Hitler in a circle and sang kumbaya, WWII would have been averted.

McKim

(2,412 posts)
6. So Grateful for Your Perspective!
Sat Jun 3, 2023, 08:38 AM
Jun 2023

So grateful for your perspective! This chest thumping story is glaring in its stupidity and short sightedness. Our country always has to have “enemies” so that the MIC is well fed. Meanwhile in my city people sleep on the streets at night. What is wrong with this picture. Diplomacy is cheaper than war and ultimately more productive.

MarineCombatEngineer

(12,094 posts)
7. Oh look, another one.
Sat Jun 3, 2023, 08:46 AM
Jun 2023
What is wrong with this picture. Diplomacy is cheaper than war and ultimately more productive


Maybe you should tell China and Russia that.
 

Alexander Of Assyria

(7,839 posts)
8. Diplomacy prevents wars and ends wars. America even tried it in Sudan, just very recently!!
Sat Jun 3, 2023, 08:59 AM
Jun 2023

Apparently America can make war and aggression with impunity, but not so good at peacemaking…with a trillion dollar budget maybe time to open a Department of Not War!? Lots of cash to spare, untouchable cash funded Guns…ofc with so much military money, must find any excuse for hostility and conflict…send more money mommy!

The cash tail is wagging the dog…we the dogs!

How much longer can America not take a second glance at WHY a trillion a year is needed…to make America…safe?? Borders with Canada and surrounded by oceans!

Pentagon must spend half the budget pumping out propaganda to keeps its cash warm and safe…Russian military incompetence may be a really problem for that cash cow being milked…China!!..will have to stand in.

paleotn

(17,781 posts)
12. OK, fine. Diplomacy usually means finding compromise.
Sat Jun 3, 2023, 10:56 AM
Jun 2023

I get that. I also get that if I take chunk of land by force and stand firm, I'll only have to give up part of my ill gotten gains through diplomacy and keep the rest. So I do that again and again and again. See where this is leading? The flaw is your extremely naive view of human nature. A more realistic plan is to do everything you can to help your own citizens, but also keep your powder dry because humans will be humans.

Voltaire2

(12,632 posts)
14. Once again people are lining up for war.
Sat Jun 3, 2023, 06:23 PM
Jun 2023

China is not my enemy. My enemy is much closer to home. There is bipartisan consensus that we should engage in various economic political technological and psychological actions against China. It’s as if we’ve completely forgotten the lessons of Iraq, and the many other manufactured crises our government has spun up to delude the population about our goals and intentions. Our problem is not China. Our problem is fascism right here, in our state governments, and threatening to take control at the national level.

China.

 

Alexander Of Assyria

(7,839 posts)
17. The Pentagon and Press reek of desperation trying to substitute China for collapsing Russia.
Sun Jun 4, 2023, 09:00 AM
Jun 2023

If Russia turns democratic and peaceful and not a worthy war adversary, what in holy hell will the Pentafon do to justify its holy cow immunity from spending a trillion a year??

Desperate times for war hawks! The propaganda is painfully obvious, beginning with a giant white highly visible balloon that still hasn’t been proven to the public…the same public that bought the Iraq war lies…to be anything but benign…American media and the quasi government of the Pentagon is in control of this narrative…and only the Pentagon and the Press seems to be aware of that.

Unfortunately China seems to not be cooperating…their peace initiative in Russia UKR war…and Chinas love affair with the developing world..putting real sad damper on the attempt to hoodwink the nation…again!

 

Alexander Of Assyria

(7,839 posts)
18. I also like the guy...intelligent, soft spoken...all speeches distorted by the war media.
Sun Jun 4, 2023, 09:02 AM
Jun 2023

Same with Blinken…average Americans need to really stop sleeping on the job of checking the mass media war narratives…not like it’s the first time…remember the Dixie Chicks!!?

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»US Defense Secretary Aust...