China says it will develop military relationship with the US even as it hits out at the West for ‘stirring up troubles’

BEIJING: China said it will develop its military relationship with the United States even as it hit out at the West for “stirring up troubles” around the world at the opening of a high-profile regional security forum on Monday (Oct 30).

Delivering the opening speech at the closely watched Xiangshan Forum, China’s second most senior military official Zhang Youxia left little doubt on how China felt about its tensions with the West although he did not explicitly name any country.

“Unfortunately, certain countries keep stirring up troubles around the world. They deliberately create turbulence, meddling in regional affairs, interfering in other countries’ internal affairs and instigating colour revolutions,” said General Zhang, referring to a term used to describe popular uprisings.

“Where they put their hands on, there is instability. What’s more, they keep sowing discord for their own interests, resulting in many geopolitical problems.”

General Zhang took to the podium as China opened its biggest annual show of military diplomacy without a defence minister at the helm, with no replacement named yet.

Former defence minister Li Shangfu was removed from the post last week without official explanation, amid reports of a corruption probe.

The Xiangshan Forum is branded as China’s answer to the Shangri-La Dialogue that takes place annually in Singapore, serving as a platform for the Asian giant to air its perspective on security issues.

More than 90 nations and international organisations attended the three-day meeting this year, including the US.