Former Title: Ministry of Defense Spokesperson Answers Journalists' Questions on Recent Military related Issues
Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, June 14 (Li Xiaoming, Zhou Wenjian) -- Ministry of Defense spokesman Zhang Xiaogang answered reporters' questions on recent military related issues on the 14th.
Resolutely counter the Philippines' dangerous act of escalating the situation
When a reporter asked, it was reported that the Philippines denied that its soldiers pointed their guns at the Chinese coast guard ship, claiming that the personnel on the "Madley Mountain" ship held weapons in their hands for self-defence. In addition, the Philippines claimed that there had been small-scale land reclamation activities in Xianbin Reef, and the PLA recently sent one hovercraft and one aircraft to organize exercises in the sea area. What's your comment on this?
Zhang Xiaogang pointed out that the Nansha Islands, including Ren'ai Reef and Xianbin Reef, are China's inherent territory. It is reasonable for China to safeguard its rights and enforce laws in the sea areas under its jurisdiction. China has repeatedly stated its principled position on this. In fact, it was the Philippines that betrayed its faith, "played with fire" to cause trouble and intensify conflicts on the issue of Love Reef. It also shouted to catch thieves, fabricated and spread false information about Xianbin Reef, in an attempt to cover up its violations and provocations. This fully shows that the Philippines is truly a regional "peace breaker" and "destabilizer". China has always maintained a high level of vigilance and continued to take all necessary measures to resolutely counter the Philippines' dangerous acts of escalation.
The United States should correct its strategic understanding of China and buckle the first button of China US relations
A reporter asked that the Budget Committee of the House of Representatives of the United States released the draft military budget for fiscal year 2025, adjusting and increasing $18 billion to fight against China and other enemy countries with similar strength. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States Army recently also said that five major challenges, including China, Russia and Iraq, are very active and tend to converge. What's your comment on this?
Zhang Xiaogang said that creating imaginary enemies and provoking group confrontation are the usual routines of the United States, which also exposes its deep-rooted Cold War mentality and hegemonic mentality. It needs to be emphasized that China firmly opposes the US side to talk about China and regard China as an "imaginary enemy". China adheres to the path of peaceful development and always pursues a defensive national defense policy. China's development does not target or threaten anyone. The Chinese military has actively implemented the global security initiative, and has carried out extensive exchanges and cooperation with more than 150 countries in the world. It has always been a firm force in safeguarding world peace. We urge the US side to earnestly correct its strategic understanding of China, buckle the first button of China US relations, and move forward with China, so as to promote the development of bilateral military relations along the right track.
Philippine US defense cooperation must not undermine regional security and stability
A reporter asked that it was reported that the Philippine US Marine Corps had recently carried out air support operations exercises. The Philippines claimed that this was "a deterrent to those who want to challenge the tranquility of our region". It was also reported that the US MQ-9A "Death" UAV had carried out intelligence sharing missions in the Philippines. What's your comment on this?
Zhang Xiaogang said that we have always advocated that defense cooperation between countries should not target third parties and should not undermine regional security and stability. The words and deeds of the Philippines and the United States have once again proved that who is provoking military confrontation in the South China Sea and who is driving up regional tensions. China has never threatened anyone, but it is not afraid of any threat, and firmly upholds its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.
The more violent the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces become, the faster they will perish
A reporter asked that it was reported that Lai Qingde recently inspected the Taitung "Sea Front Brigade" and took a group photo with the "Xiong 3" missile vehicle, saying that he would "control the sea by land" against the PLA. The head of Taiwan's defense department said that the PLA would exercise the "right of self-defence" if it threatened Taiwan's "sea and air space" within 12 nautical miles of Taiwan Island. What's your comment on this?
Zhang Xiaogang pointed out that Taiwan is a part of China. What about the so-called "right of self-defence"? Lai Qingde's authorities deliberately show off their boldness, which shows their weak nature. The PLA has always been an invincible force, and will resolutely fight back and punish any provocative act of seeking "independence". The "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces blocking the PLA is like flying moths to the flames. The more fierce the uproar, the faster the destruction.
The PLA fights against "independence" and promotes unification without stopping to defeat foreign interference
When asked by a reporter, President Biden of the United States said in an interview with Time magazine that if there is a military conflict between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, the possibility of US involvement will not be ruled out. Paparo, commander of the US Indo Pacific Headquarters, also said that the US military plans to use unmanned aerial vehicles, unmanned ships and underwater systems on a large scale to defend Taiwan. It is reported that 27 US defense contractors recently attended the "Taiwan US Defense Industry Forum" in Taiwan. What's your comment on this?
Zhang Xiaogang said that Taiwan is China's Taiwan, and how to solve the Taiwan issue is the business of more than 1.4 billion Chinese, and no external interference is allowed. It must be pointed out that "Taiwan independence" is incompatible with peace in the Taiwan Strait, and "Taiwan independence" means war. We urge the US side to recognize the ambitions and dangers of the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, earnestly abide by its commitment not to support "Taiwan independence", stop sending serious wrong signals in any way, and avoid exacerbating tensions in the Taiwan Strait. We warned the DPP authorities that they had no choice but to "reject reunification with force". It would be futile to spend the hard-earned money of Taiwanese people to buy more weapons. The Chinese People's Liberation Army has never stopped training and preparing for war, has never stopped fighting for "independence" and promoting reunification, has never been soft hearted in defeating foreign interference, and has resolutely completed its mission of safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
