The US Stunned as China Refused to Meet! Is China Now Calling the Shots?

Hello everyone and welcome to Geopolitical Trends. My name is David Oualaalou. So good to be with you as always and back home. I am finally back home here in the States. So anyway, China refused to meet with the United States. Are we entering a new era in the US-China relations? Is this refusal a reflection of the new global order? In this video, I'm going to provide you a brief analysis about how significant this development is and what does it tell us about the future of US-China relations. But not only about that, but also is it an indication also of the new global geopolitical order? You know, that's what's fascinating about it. So, but before I'll do this, I'd like to Extend my thanks as always to the channel's members and supporters. And for you, if this is your first time landing on this channel, please make sure to subscribe. And I appreciate all your support. So here's the tank. Let's dive in into this because it just came to my attention as I was flying in yesterday from Frankfurt. And the, uh, I was like, I am gonna have to do a video for my viewers here. So to provide you an insights about it because What the media is saying versus what it is are two different stories, and I did check about this one. Here is the thing: US hopes for a meeting of the Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin with his counterpart General Li Chengfu were shattered, you know. And why is this? Because China refused US request. What do you think? Was it China within its own right to refuse that? Some will say yes, and this is again the purpose of this video is to highlight to you, uh, why is this important, and also to highlight to you that this refusal represents now such a disappointment for the United States. And the meeting was supposed to take place during the Shangri-La Dialogue, which by the way, it's convenient as we speak in Singapore. But first of all, what is this Chang Rai La Dialogue is all about. Well, the first one was convened in 2000, I think 2002, 2001, 2002. That's when the first one was convened. You know, it's known also as the Asia— Asian Regional Security Summit. That is the other known for it. But it's known in the political circles as the Chang Rai La Dialogue because it's a hotel. In Singapore. That's where they meet. It is Asia's premier defense summit, which bringing together defense ministers and senior officials, uh, in addition to security experts, uh, from across the Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America, and beyond. And what is the purpose of it? Is for them to discuss the region's pressing security challenges. So this year, the 2023 summit is held— the 20th, that is— is held as we speak in Singapore because the 18th and 19th summits in 2020 and 2021 did not meet because of COVID-19. But that's not the whole point of all this, you know. The question that you need to ask yourself, why is it in Singapore? Well, because Singapore somehow is considered a neutral ground in Asia. Or is it? You know, think of it, and then like I said last time about the Philippines, Singapore, of course, it's in a different setting than the Philippines because Singapore, it is sort of walking a fine line between the United States and China, and the purpose of it is to maintain its neutrality. Unrightly so. So the one thing that I found very fascinating about General Li Chengfu, which many in the West do not know, General Li Chengfu is an aerospace engineer. He has a scientific background. You know, of course, he has held the rank of a general of the People's Liberation Army, or PLA. That's what I found very, very interesting about him. So anyway, so the Chinese Ministry of National Defense, Li Chengfu, General Chengfu, that is, he is set to address the Changreilly Dialogue by giving a key speech that will be delivered on Sunday the 4th. By the time you watch this video, it will be about a day or two. So also what's interesting, that's going to give some sort of But the keynote speech, here is what's shocking. You guys know who's going to give the keynote speech? It's none other than Australian Prime Minister Albo Albanese, Anthony Albanese. He's going to give that, as a matter of fact, today at the time of this recording, he's giving his speech. But I will not address this point because Albanese will be given the notes by the United States to utter, by the United States and the UK to utter that speech. So it will be nothing of his own creativity per se because he is so weak. Let's just say it straightforward. Then you have the U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin will offer remarks also on Saturday the 3rd, which is tomorrow. That's when he's going to be, uh, providing this. But again, I am not going to focus on this. I am going to focus my analysis, brief one that is, on two key things. As I said earlier, the Shangri-La Dialogue brings together defense ministers, okay, and senior officials, as well as business leaders and security experts. So why am I saying this? Because these are the two main focus or areas I'm going to address this brief analysis. One from geopolitics and the second one from security. So So let's talk about geopolitics here. So what was interesting in the world of geopolitics, you know, like I always say, I know I said this before, I don't like to repeat myself, but nothing happens in a vacuum. So when China, or Beijing that is, issued at the last minute, they issued a rebuff to the Pentagon, was sort of an unusual straightforward a rejection of the Chinese to meet with the Americans as relations between the two defense ministers further sour. And rightly so, given what we are doing in that part of the world. You are aware of the Taiwan issue, of course, which we're not going to beat the dead horse over that. But also now what you are noticing, and I did a livestream for you from overseas when I was in North Africa. That video that I did with your live stream was about NATO expanding into Japan. So this is why China refused, and rightly so. But there is a third element into this. How can you conduct negotiations or talks with someone that you are sanctioning? That just doesn't make any sense. And I don't know who's advising the Secretary of Defense or the US government for that matter that it just doesn't sort of reflect well when it comes down to international relations. You know, optics matters. That is the key to all this. So, so the thing is, the lack of dialogue between the two major super competitors— competitors rather— in the Pacific, in my opinion, could trigger concerns among South Asian countries who feel caught in the middle. This is why I said Singapore is playing that position of being neutral, or is it? So as a matter of fact, uh, so far the US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, who is by the way not qualified for that position, let's say it the way it is, and also US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo met with their counterparts, the Chinese counterparts, including even the US Ambassador Nicholas Burns, who had, by the way, he had a— he held a stern face-to-face meeting with his Chinese— with the Chinese Foreign Minister, Qin Gang. You know, why that kind of attitude of meeting with the Chinese like that? What are you trying to intimidate them or what? You know, because here is the problem that the US is not willing to accept, is that they are— they, United States, got its government that is not willing to talk to the Chinese on an equal footing because the United States still think that today's China is the same of China's of 30 years ago, which is not the case. This is where part of the problem is, you know, and this is why you see in the reflection of it why China refused to allow General Li Chengfu to meet with the US. And by the way, the request was from the United States. No, that's like the last time when I mentioned about the Secretary of State canceled his trip to China. Well, wait a minute, the Secretary of State was never invited to begin with, so that's a lie. Basically, it's making things up. He was never invited. I checked on it. There was no official invitation from the Chinese Foreign Ministry to the Secretary of State. So I don't know why he's making that up. So that's just nonsense here. So this is the reason why now China's thinking in terms, geopolitically speaking, it doesn't make sense for us to meet with the Secretary of Defense, or to allow the meeting to move forward, while at the same time the United States is doing, uh, or, or fomenting tensions in the region. Like I said, the Taiwan issue, of course, uh, the expansion of the bases in Philippines, and now you have the expansion of NATO by establishing an office in Japan. You know, it, it makes more sense. You know, I am not surprised or shocked or whatever, so As a matter of fact, I will expect China to behave that way. Otherwise, if China doesn't do that, then it's sending a signal of weakness because that's how it would be interpreted in the West. Now that China refused, it kind of caught the Americans off guard because they were expecting, oh, we're just going to make a demand to China and China's going to bow. No way. That era is gone, and as I tweeted on that, so— and by the way, guys, if you like the content of my video, please make sure— and, and you want to support the channel, just make sure to hit the like button and subscribe if you have not done so. And thank you. Then let's talk about it from a security perspective. So from a security perspective, and I recall when I was studying Asian security issues It was always the idea of the strategy that the West, including the United States, Canada, Britain, France, to a degree Europeans— you don't count much on them because they have to fall in line with what the United States is saying. So it was also that idea of the strategy towards the Indo-Pacific, and this is what's at the heart of it from a security perspective, because US official are as we speak and will be more frustrated about their inability to just establish basic contact because China is shutting down the door, because China is in a different position now. As I said earlier, the administration, U.S. administration, is not willing to accept— I am sure they know and understand that China today is different from China of 30 years ago. But they are in denial, the United States government in denial about this. It's a reality, you know. You know, and at the same time, the Chinese, which they will be thinking ahead, are wondering about how could the US be concerned or frustrated, yet at the same time fomenting tensions in Taiwan and the South China Sea. Which I believe personally will have serious security implications moving forward, because you can only push for so long, and at some point you're gonna get pushed back. And this is where I feel things are going into. I'm concerned, I'll say it straightforward. I'm keeping my eyes open on that part of the world. Uh, I was in Ukraine on the eastern side You know, it was kind of— I didn't see what's going on in Bakhmut there physically, but I saw people on the edge even in that part of the country. It was in a city called Medica, which is across the border from Poland. So that's why I want there physically to see with my own eyes so I don't depend on the media to tell me or give me an assessment because the media lies. We all know this by now. The truth is out there. What the media is reporting versus what it is. So, and so the US argument about all this after the Chinese rejection is that the US is saying it wants to keep trying to get the channels of communication reopened. How can you do the— how can you do that when at the same time you are fomenting tensions? It just doesn't make sense. How can you have talks with officials from China while you are sanctioning them? Just doesn't make sense. So I do not see how China will really buy into whatever the US is asking for, for a simple reason: lack of credibility. Because Chinese is not going to trust the US government. We all know this, and it's nothing mysterious about it or a secret. We all know we don't keep up our obligations. We don't keep up our commitments. We don't keep up our word. And I'm a believer, and this is me, I'm a believer that your word is your bond. I understand in the world of geopolitics and international relations, all it matters is strategic interests. I understand that argument, but I also understand that when you enter into talks with other countries, you have to enter talks in good faith. Otherwise, why will they ever trust to sit down with you and have a talk? And this is exactly what China— I think China is sending a message to the United States by, by this refusal, is indicating to the US and the West for that matter that the geopolitical shift is already upon us. You know, that era of the US being the sole superpower is over. And now the United States and the collective West will have to talk or negotiate with China on an equal footing. That is why, uh, I believe— that is what I believe the message China is sending. I was reading an article, by the way, guys, and I'm gonna do a video for you about really how the West is seeing China. And this is scholarly research, so it doesn't fall under the political orientation. That's why I wanted to share it with you. And again, just to highlight my point, how can the US request a meeting and at the same time sanctioning General Li Chengfu, you know? And who are we to sanction the person anyway, you know? I feel, and I don't shy away from saying it, We've kind of abused it. Look no further than what happened yesterday, that the United States threatened now with sanctions of Uganda. Yeah, we threatened to sanction Uganda. Uh, it's just ridiculous, ridiculous. So, so here's my conclusion for you, because I like to always keep this brief, to the point. I think the US and its allies in the West are trying to find a way to tell the Chinese We want to keep trade with you, you know, we want to keep doing business with you. That's what they're trying to do. But China doesn't see it that way. It's not just semantics. China doesn't see it that way. What China sees is that the West is ganging up on it to prevent it, to prevent China from developing and moving forward technologically, economically. And so, uh, etc. That's what I see. But I also— what I found very interesting is that the United States and its allies now have moderated the tone of their speeches and rhetoric, you know, to a little bit. When it comes to, for example, you all remember before we used to hear about decoupling economically from China. Now they don't use the term. You know what they're using? The term, and I put this in quotes, de-risking. It's interesting. That's why I always say it's very important to read the content of statements and so forth. It gives you the hint as to where the policy is going. And now with the refusal of China to meet, it just— the writing is on the wall as clear as it can be. So I wonder how the United States now is going to react. And I'm gonna keep an eye to give you an update about this. Make sure to leave me some comments, and I always like to read your feedback. And who's to say, maybe we can follow up on this on a live stream, because there is a lot to say about this. As always, guys, remember, geopolitics impacts your daily life in more ways than one. Till next time, guys, bye-bye.