While the gathering of defense ministers at the 10th Moscow Conference on International Security on Aug. 16-17 is being played down by the Western media as the gathering of “autocratic states,” the presence of countries like South Africa, Mali, Palestine, and Armenia, gives the lie to the propaganda. The presence of South Africa Defense Minister Thandis Modise was particularly striking, given the visit of Secretary of State Antony Blinken to South Africa last week at which he sought to get Pretoria to break its relationship with Moscow. Minister Modise presence at the invitation of Sergei Shoigu in Moscow is the ultimate rebuff to the U.S. pleas. On the sidelines of the conference there are also many bilaterals in which Russia will secure new agreements for weapons sales.
The Chinese Foreign Minister Wei Fenghe took part by video, underlying the preparedness of the PLA to defend Chinese sovereignty against any efforts by the West to wrench away the island of Taiwan from the motherland. “The Chinese military has never been afraid of any enemy. We have the certainty and courage to defeat all the enemies approaching us, and we will safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity with our strong determination, firm will and potent capabilities,” Wei said. He further affirmed that China would again participate in the Aug. 30-Sept. 5 “Vostok-2022” maneuvers in Russia, together with India, Belarus, Tajikistan, and Mongolia. “Countries in the world must strengthen solidarity and coordination, uphold fairness and justice, safeguard peace and stability, join hands to reject acts of hegemony, highhandedness and bullying, and work together to safeguard regional and global peace and tranquility,” Wei said.
The conference was also an occasion for Russian President Vladimir Putin to weigh in on Taiwan and Pelosi’s “escapade” which was “not just a voyage by an irresponsible politician” but “a thoroughly designed provocation,” which Putin considers an attempt by the U.S. “to stir up trouble in the Asia-Pacific.” (http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/69166 )
“The latest remarks by President Putin demonstrate the high-level strategic coordination between China and Russia,” responded Foreign Minister spokesman Wang Wenbin today.
