China’s Defence Minister is accusing the U.S. of “hijacking” countries around the region

Wei Fenghe is China’s Defence General, who has slammed the U.S. for rallying support across the Indo-Pacific region.

Wei gave a speech comes at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, which is Asia’s premiere defence conference.

He also quashed any attempts for the self-governed island of Taiwan to break away from mainland China.

It comes days after Wei met with U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, which reportedly “went smoothly”.

The U.S. and China reportedly stood firm on their opposing views over Taiwan’s right to rule itself.

“Indo-Pacific countries shouldn’t face political intimidation, economic coercion, or harassment by maritime militias.”

“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is what happens when oppressors trample the rules that protect us all,” Austin says.

But Wei believes the U.S.’ strategy is seeking to divide the region even further.

“The strategy is an attempt to build an exclusive small group in the name of a free and open Indo-Pacific to hijack countries in our region and target one specific country—it is a strategy to create conflict and confrontation to contain and encircle others,” Wei says.

The Defence Minister adds China will “fight to the very end” to stop Taiwanese independence.

It comes just weeks after U.S. President Joe Biden said his nation will respond “militarily” if China attacked Taiwan.