Washington: Washington wants a "stable and respectful" relationship with Beijing, a senior US defense official said Saturday at the Munich Security Conference. Elbridge Colby, US under secretary of defense for policy, emphasized that while Washington aims to avoid conflict, it seeks to engage in mutually beneficial commerce from a position of strength.

According to Anadolu Agency, Colby acknowledged Beijing's accomplishments and military advancements, noting that the US is responding accordingly. He stated that the US is approaching the situation with clear intentions to achieve a favorable balance of power and stability.

Addressing the absence of Taiwan in the 2026 US National Security Strategy, Colby affirmed that US President Donald Trump remains consistent with the traditional one-China policy. He reiterated Washington's pursuit of stability and strength in the Pacific, emphasizing the importance of working alongside allies, especially in the Indo-Pacific region, to build collective strength.

Colby also discussed a new phase for NATO, referred to as "NATO 3.0," which involves a refocusing on NATO's role as a military alliance. He highlighted the critical nature of military refocusing for the "homeland hemisphere" and stressed the importance of deterring China through strength rather than confrontation.

The US defense official pointed out that future conflicts would likely be "wars of production," underscoring the necessity for a robust defense industry. Colby emphasized the need for the US and its allies to enhance their manufacturing capacities to support defense needs.