"It is essential that we as an international community wake up to the challenges posed by Chinese manipulation," said the US Secretary of Defense. Mark Esper, in Munich during the international security conference. Esper then urged world security leaders to "wake up" and pay more attention to China's efforts to influence the world economy.
The US Defense Officer stressed that the United States is not looking for conflicts with China, but expresses concern about what China has said, which is to modernize its military systems by 2035 and dominate Asia by 2049.
Esper then accused China of being increasingly involved in business in Europe and elsewhere outside its borders with the intent to seek advantage by any means and at any cost.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in response that Esper and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had been lying, accusing China of using a "malicious strategy" regarding, for example, Huawei's 5G technology.
In fact, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said: "We cannot let information pass through networks we do not trust, it is unacceptable".
Wang said that "The United States does not want China's rapid development and rejuvenation" and above all it does not like "the success of a socialist country". Wang said, however, that it is "very important" that the two superpowers start talks to "find a way to live in harmony and interact in peace".
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told the Munich Security Conference that China presents both challenges and opportunities for the West. He said that the United States and Europe must agree on a unified approach to address China's growing global influence.
Esper tried to get European support to fight against Huawei's competition after Britain decided weeks ago to use Huawai's 5G technology. Britain's decision dealt a severe blow to US efforts to persuade allies to ban Huawei from their networks, arguing that China could use 5G to spy, an allegation that Huawei and Chinese officials have consistently denied.
We are encouraging Allied and US tech companies to develop alternative 5G solutions and are working alongside them to test these technologies on our military bases. Esper also discussed the war in Afghanistan, saying that a US deal with the Taliban that could result in US troops withdrawing is not without risk but "looks very promising."
Esper's remarks came the day after a senior US official said a seven-day ceasefire agreement had been reached with the Taliban.