Beijing responds to US warnings about its assistance for Russia by claiming military collusion with Taipei.

May 18 :
On May 18, a senior US defence official cautioned his Chinese counterpart about China's growing collaboration with Russia, coinciding with a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, during which both leaders promised to deepen bilateral ties. Major General Li Bin of China, who heads the Central Military Commission's office for international military cooperation, spoke on Friday by video teleconference with Ely Ratner, the US Assistant Secretary of Defence for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs.

The Pentagon claimed in a summary that Ratner addressed "serious concern over China's support for Russia’s defence industrial base that enables Russia’s war in Ukraine" and that he also spoke about the ties between Russia and North Korea. On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the beginning of ties between Moscow and Beijing, Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping declared a "new era" of partnership during their official two-day visit to China.

The importance of preserving peace and stability across the Strait was emphasised once again by the US Defence Assistant Secretary, who also restated the United States' commitment to the 'One China' policy, which is governed by the Taiwan Relations Act, the Three US-China Joint Communiques, and the Six Assurances. The US envoy discussed the rising tensions between China and the Philippines along the South China Sea shoal with his Chinese counterpart. The United States has been accused by China of "military collusion" with Taiwan. Global Times of Beijing reports that in a video call with the US Assistant Secretary of Defence on Friday, the Central Military Commission Office for International Military Cooperation blamed the "military collusion" between the US and Taiwan, along with the "separatist acts" of the "Taiwan independence forces," for the present instability in the Taiwan Straits.

"China will take resolute and decisive countermeasures against any 'Taiwan independence' separatist activities and foreign connivance and support," the official said. China lashed out at a US military vessel on Friday for what it called "provocative moves," saying that the US side's use of UNCLOS shows its hegemonic nature.

At a news briefing, a Chinese military spokesperson responded to a question from the media regarding the US guided-missile destroyer USS Halsey's passage through the Taiwan Strait by saying, "The Chinese side strongly deplores and firmly opposes this and has lodged solemn representations with the US side." Following a call in April between US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and China's Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun, US Defence Official Ei Ratner met with Chinese Official Li Ben on Friday.