On the afternoon of June 14, Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, Deputy Director of the Information Bureau of the Ministry of National Defense and spokesman of the Ministry of National Defense, released news on recent military related issues.
On the afternoon of June 14, Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, Deputy Director of the Information Bureau of the Ministry of National Defense and spokesman of the Ministry of National Defense, released news on recent military related issues. Photographed by Li Xiaowei
First, I will publish three messages.
The first message.
From June 18 to July 2, the Ministry of National Defense of China will hold a seminar for senior officers of China Arab countries in China. The seminar was organized by the National Defense University of the People's Liberation Army of China, with the theme of "China Arab Security Cooperation for the Future". It will organize forum lectures, seminars, exchanges, visits and surveys, and other activities, aiming to implement the achievements of the China Arab Cooperation Forum, deepen defense cooperation between China and Arab countries, and promote the construction of a China Arab community of common destiny.
The second message.
According to the annual plan and at the invitation of the foreign side, the Chinese Navy's "Peace Ark" hospital ship will carry out the "Harmony Mission-2024" mission from mid June 2024 to mid January 2025, during which it will go to Seychelles, Tanzania, Madagascar, Mozambique, South Africa, Angola, Congo (Brazzaville), Gabon, Cameroon, Benin, Mauritania, Djibouti 13 countries including Sri Lanka visited and provided medical services, and visited France and Greece. This is the 12th overseas mission of the ship since it was listed. It is also a specific measure of the Chinese Navy to implement the global security initiative and serve to build a community of shared future in the sea.
The third message.
At the invitation of the Tongan Navy, the Zibo Ship of the Chinese Navy will set sail in mid June to participate in the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Navy in Tonga, further deepening the friendly exchanges and practical cooperation between the two navies.
On the afternoon of June 14, Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, Deputy Director of the Information Bureau of the Ministry of National Defense and spokesman of the Ministry of National Defense, released news on recent military related issues. Photographed by Li Xiaowei
Reporter: The Budget Committee of the House of Representatives of the United States Congress released the draft military budget for the 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: Creating imaginary enemies and provoking group confrontation is the usual routine 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.
Reporter: It is reported that the Philippines denied that its soldiers pointed their guns at the Chinese coast guard ship and claimed that the personnel on the "Madre Hill" 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: 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 issue. 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.
Reporter: It is reported that the Philippines and the United States Marines have recently carried out air support operations exercises. The Philippines claims that this is "a deterrent to those who want to challenge the peace in our region". It is also reported that the United States MQ-9A "Death" UAV has carried out intelligence sharing tasks in the Philippines. What's your comment on this?
Zhang Xiaogang: We have always maintained that defense cooperation between countries should not be aimed at 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.
On the afternoon of June 14, Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, Deputy Director of the Information Bureau of the Ministry of National Defense and spokesman of the Ministry of National Defense, released news on recent military related issues. Photographed by Li Xiaowei
Reporter: In an interview with Time magazine, US President Biden said that if there is a military conflict between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, the possibility of US military intervention 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: Taiwan is China's Taiwan. 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.
Reporter: It is 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 "use land to control the sea" 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: Taiwan is part of China. What about the so-called "right of self-defence"? Lai Qingde's authorities deliberately show off their courage, which further 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.
