China slams US for anti-govt protests in Hong Kong

Beijing: China on Monday took a veiled swipe at the US, saying the incitement of "coloured revolutions" and overthrowing of legitimate governments by external forces are resulting in wars and turbulence in some regions of the world.

Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe's statement came amid unprecedented anti-government protests in Hong Kong, a Special Administrative Region of China which was handed over to the Communist nation in 1997 by the UK.

"Wanton interference in other countries' affairs will never win," Wei said while speaking at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Xiangshan Forum, China's annual international defence and security conference modelled on last year's Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.

"Inciting colour revolutions, overthrowing lawful governments are the root causes of the war and turbulence in some regions" of the world, he said in an apparent reference to Hong Kong's protests and situation in the Middle East.

China in the recent past termed the current round of violent protests in Hong Kong as the local version of "coloured revolution". It has also accused the US politicians of supporting the ongoing anti-government protests in Hong Kong.

Over 1,300 defence and security officials attended the forum, including 23 defence ministers, representatives from 76 official delegations and eight international organisations as well as experts and observers, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. The forum is themed "Maintaining International Order and Promoting Peace in the Asia-Pacific".

In his message to the forum, President Xi Jinping called on the delegates to build consensus on peace and deepen security cooperation.

China is committed to advancing cooperation through dialogue, promoting peace through cooperation and safeguarding development through peace, Xi said.

He called on countries in the Asia-Pacific region to stick together and uphold the UN-centred international system in the face of complicated security threats, the report said.

The Chinese President also urged them to improve the new type of security partnership, build a security architecture fitting the regional reality and more effectively promote enduring peace and common security in the Asia-Pacific region.

In his speech, the Chinese Defence Minister said that countries should handle their differences through dialogue and mutual respect, and that China would never give in to foreign pressure.

Although Wei did not name the US, China in the recent past has been at odds with America over a wide range of geopolitical issues including Iran, Syria and Venezuela.

The two countries are also locked in a bruising trade war since last year. Wei condemned major powers who "wield their big sticks" such as sanctions to exert "maximum pressure" on other countries to accede to their demands, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported.

"Wielding the big sticks or resorting to long-arm jurisdiction cannot solve any problems, and sanctions are never effective to achieve any results. The Chinese people don't buy such intimidation and we are not afraid (to fight)," Wei said. Pti