Russia's envoy uses the stage at a military forum in China to accuse the US of fueling tensions

Russia’s envoy uses the stage at a military forum in China to accuse the US of fueling tensions

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Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, center, takes a seat for the opening ceremony of the 10th Beijing Xiangshan Forum in Beijing, Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. Defense Minister Shoigu said Monday the United States is fueling geopolitical tensions to uphold its “hegemony” and warned of the risk of confrontation between major countries. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

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Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu walks down from the podium after speaking at the 10th Beijing Xiangshan Forum held in Beijing, Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. Defense Minister Shoigu said Monday the United States is fueling geopolitical tensions to uphold its “hegemony” and warned of the risk of confrontation between major countries. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

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Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu speaks at the 10th Beijing Xiangshan Forum in Beijing, Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. Defense Minister Shoigu said Monday the United States is fueling geopolitical tensions to uphold its “hegemony” and warned of the risk of confrontation between major countries. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

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Zhang Youxia, Chinese general in the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), salutes on stage as he delivers his opening speech for the Xiangshan Forum, a gathering of the region’s security officials, in Beijing, Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

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Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, center right, chats with Zhang Youxia, Chinese general in the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), center, as they arrive to the opening ceremony for the Xiangshan Forum, a gathering of the region’s security officials, in Beijing, Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

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Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu prepares to speak at the 10th Beijing Xiangshan Forum in Beijing, Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. Defense Minister Shoigu said Monday the United States is fueling geopolitical tensions to uphold its “hegemony” and warned of the risk of confrontation between major countries. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

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Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu walks down from the podium after speaking at the 10th Beijing Xiangshan Forum in Beijing, Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. Defense Minister Shoigu said Monday the United States is fueling geopolitical tensions to uphold its “hegemony” and warned of the risk of confrontation between major countries. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

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Attendees stand near a screen ahead of the upcoming Xiangshan Forum in Beijing, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023. The international gathering hosted by the Chinese Defense Ministry aims to discuss security cooperation and raise China’s status as a global power and rival to the U.S. and its Asian allies, including Japan and South Korea. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

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Military delegates are escorted by a Chinese honor guard as they arrive to attend the opening ceremony for the Xiangshan Forum, a gathering of the region’s security officials, in Beijing, Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

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Chinese military officers stand near the slogan “Common Security, Lasting Peace” for the 10th Beijing Xiangshan Forum held in Beijing, Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. China suspended military communication with the U.S. in August 2022 to show its displeasure over a visit by former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to self-ruled Taiwan, which Beijing considers part of its territory. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

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U.S. military officers attend the 10th Beijing Xiangshan Forum held in Beijing, Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. China suspended military communication with the U.S. in August 2022 to show its displeasure over a visit by former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to self-ruled Taiwan, which Beijing considers part of its territory. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

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Cynthia Xanthi Carras, the U.S. Defense Department’s principal official for issues related to China, center, attends the 10th Beijing Xiangshan Forum in Beijing, Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. China suspended military communication with the U.S. in August 2022 to show its displeasure over a visit by former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to self-ruled Taiwan, which Beijing considers part of its territory. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

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Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, right, walks past a Chinese honor guard as he arrives for the 10th Beijing Xiangshan Forum in Beijing, Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. Defense Minister Shoigu said Monday the United States is fueling geopolitical tensions to uphold its “hegemony” and warned of the risk of confrontation between major countries. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

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Attendees take part in the 10th Beijing Xiangshan Forum in Beijing, Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Monday the United States is fueling geopolitical tensions to uphold its “hegemony” and warned of the risk of confrontation between major countries. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

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Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, left, leaves after speaking at the 10th Beijing Xiangshan Forum in Beijing, Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. Defense Minister Shoigu said Monday the United States is fueling geopolitical tensions to uphold its “hegemony” and warned of the risk of confrontation between major countries. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

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Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, center, chats with other attendees as he arrives for the opening ceremony of the 10th Beijing Xiangshan Forum in Beijing, Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. Defense Minister Shoigu said Monday the United States is fueling geopolitical tensions to uphold its “hegemony” and warned of the risk of confrontation between major countries. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

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By SIMINA MISTREANU

BEIJING (AP) — Russia’s defense minister accused the United States on Monday of fueling geopolitical tensions to uphold its “global dominance by any means” and warned of the risk of confrontation between nuclear-armed countries.

Speaking at a defense forum in Beijing, Sergei Shoigu also accused NATO of trying to expand its footprint in the Asia-Pacific under the pretense of seeking dialogue and collaboration with regional countries.

“Washington for years has deliberately undermined and destroyed the foundations of international security and strategic stability, including the system of arms control agreements,” Shoigu said at the Xiangshan Forum, China’s biggest annual event centered on military diplomacy.

He added that the U.S. and its Western allies are threatening Russia through NATO’s expansion “to the east.” Shoigu also reiterated Moscow’s stance that Russia was open to negotiations about the war in Ukraine under what he described as the right conditions.

“The Western line of steady escalation of the conflict with Russia carries the threat of a direct military clash between nuclear powers, which is fraught with catastrophic consequences,” he said.

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Shoigu’s speech followed that of Zhang Youxia, China’s second-ranking military official and vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, who opened the three-day event in the absence of former defense minister Gen. Li Shangfu, who would have normally hosted the event.

Li was removed from his position last week after a two-month absence from public view. The government has not provided any reason for his removal.

The Beijing event, attended by military representatives from dozens of countries, is an occasion for China to project regional leadership and boost military cooperation. The U.S. is represented by a delegation led by Cynthia Carras, the Defense Department’s leading official on China.

Zhang said China was “willing to develop military ties with the U.S. on the basis of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation.”

China suspended military communication with the U.S. in August 2022 to show its displeasure over a visit by former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to self-ruled Taiwan, which Beijing considers part of its territory.

Without directly naming the U.S., Zhang criticized “certain countries” that “keep stirring up troubles around the world.”

He also urged for “an immediate cease-fire” in the latest Israel-Hamas war, sparked by the Palestinian militant group’s deadly Oct. 7 incursion into southern Israel, and called for a “resumption of peace talks” between Israel and the Palestinians.

China claims it’s neutral in Russia’s war on Ukraine but maintains close ties with Russia, with frequent state visits and joint military drills between the two nations. It has similarly sought to project a mediator role in the Israel-Hamas war, though experts say Beijing’s influence in the conflict is limited.

Zhang reiterated threats by the Chinese government regarding any efforts toward Taiwan’s independence, saying that “no matter who tries to split Taiwan from China in any form, China and the Chinese military will never allow that to happen.”

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Associated Press writer Jim Heintz in Tallinn, Estonia, contributed to this report.