The Chinese people believe in truth and do not believe in evil, and they do not cause trouble or fear things. The Chinese army will resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and security and maintain regional peace and stability--

U.S. military provocation in the South China Sea is doomed to futility

　　Zhang Junshe

　　According to foreign media reports, the U.S. Department of Defense issued a statement on July 2 that criticized China’s military training in the relevant waters of the Xisha Islands and accused China of militarization in the South China Sea. On the 3rd, the US Navy Seventh Fleet announced that it was sending two aircraft carriers and several warships to the South China Sea for military exercises. The media said that this is the largest exercise of the US Navy this year and the first time the US military has held a double carrier battle group exercise in the South China Sea since 2014.

　　The Xisha Islands are China's inherent territory and there is no dispute. It is normal and legitimate for the Chinese army to conduct military exercises in the relevant waters of the Xisha Islands, which is within the scope of Chinese sovereignty. Most countries in the region can correctly view the normal exercise of the Chinese army.

　　However, as a foreign country, while the United States unreasonably accused China of conducting normal military exercises at the doorstep, it ran to the South China Sea not far away for large-scale military exercises. It is clear at a glance who is "militarizing" in the South China Sea and who is destroying peace and stability in the South China Sea. The United States' "double-standard" remarks cannot conceal its true face of promoting "militaryization" of the South China Sea and undermining peace and stability in the South China Sea.

　　In fact, the US military has frequently sent warships and warplanes into the South China Sea for many years to engage in numerous military exercises and cruise activities, show off its force, and even send warships into the sea and airspace of other countries to conduct reconnaissance reconnaissance and so-called "freedom of navigation" operations, infringing The sovereignty and security of coastal countries undermine the peace, stability and good order in the South China Sea. This is the fundamental reason that affects the stability of the situation in the South China Sea.

　　Since the beginning of this year, the New Coronary Pneumonia epidemic has spread in the United States due to poor prevention and control. The U.S. military forces, including aircraft carriers, have also been severely hit by the epidemic. The number of new Coronary Pneumonia cases in the military has remained high. Engage in so-called "big country competition." Regardless of the danger of the spread of the epidemic and the reality that the officers and men have not yet healed, the US military has insisted on sending aircraft carriers, destroyers, bombers and other troops into the South China Sea, showing its military presence, flaunting its power and seeking trouble. The international community sees very clearly that the United States is the disruptor, destroyer and disruptor of peace and stability in the South China Sea.

　　China has indisputable sovereignty over the islands in the South China Sea and its adjacent waters. In this regard, China has sufficient historical and legal basis. China resolutely safeguards territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. At the same time, it is always committed to peacefully resolving relevant disputes through negotiations and consultations with the countries directly concerned. It is always committed to jointly safeguarding peace and stability in the South China Sea with ASEAN countries.

　　At present, with the joint efforts of China and ASEAN countries, the situation in the South China Sea region has remained generally stable, and consultations on the "South China Sea Code of Conduct" are constantly advancing. China and ASEAN countries have reached a series of bilateral agreements and regional consensus on negotiating and resolving disputes and jointly safeguarding peace and stability in the South China Sea, which constitutes an important foundation for rules and order in the South China Sea. The United States should respect the efforts of regional countries to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea, respect the regional rules and order established by regional countries in accordance with international law, stop all kinds of military adventures and provocative acts in the South China Sea, and stop threatening the sovereignty and sovereignty of the coastal states of the South China Sea in any form and under any pretext. Security, violation of regional rules and order, and disruption of regional peace and stability.

　　China has always respected and safeguarded the freedom of navigation and overflight enjoyed by all countries in the South China Sea in accordance with international law. However, it firmly opposes any country under the pretext of freedom of navigation and overflight, which harms the sovereignty and security of coastal countries. The Chinese people believe in truth and do not believe in evil. The Chinese people will never succumb to any foreign deterrence and coercion. Any foreign country should not expect China to trade with its own core interests, and should not expect China to swallow the bitter fruits that damage national sovereignty, security, and development interests. The Chinese army will continue to perform its defense duties firmly, continue to take all necessary measures, resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and security, and maintain regional peace and stability. US military provocations in the South China Sea are doomed to futility.

　　(Author: Naval Academy)