China News Service, Beijing, August 26 (Reporter Yu Zhanyi and Li Chun) In response to the recent incidents of the US defense and military leaders’ multiple negative remarks on China-related issues, the spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense of China Tan Kefei’s case on the 26th The press conference pointed out that China firmly opposed this and urged the US to truly respect China’s core interests and major concerns, correct its own wrong words and deeds, and do more things that are conducive to the development of relations between the two countries and the two militaries.
A reporter asked that day, recently, the leaders of the U.S. defense department and the military have made many negative remarks on China-related issues.
US Secretary of Defense Austin stated that China’s claim to sovereignty over most of the South China Sea violated the rights enjoyed by Southeast Asian countries under international law.
US Air Force Chief of Staff Brown said that the Chinese Air Force will surpass the United States in 2035. If the changes in the US Air Force cannot keep up with China's pace, it will have "catastrophic" effects.
what opinions do the Chinese have on this issue?
In this regard, Tan Kefei said that currently, the relations between China and the United States and the two militaries are experiencing serious difficulties and are at an important juncture. The fundamental reason is that the United States is obsessed with hegemonism, Cold War mentality, and zero-sum game, and does not accept, allow, or accommodate China. To develop and grow, treat China as a strategic opponent and security threat, implement all-round containment and suppression, and seriously damage China's sovereignty, security, and development interests.
He pointed out that China adheres to the path of peaceful development and pursues a defensive national defense policy, and has always been a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, and a defender of international order.
Facts have and will continue to prove that China's national defense construction and development have always been a positive factor in the growth of world peace forces; the Chinese military has always been a staunch force for maintaining world peace and stability and serving the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.
Regarding the South China Sea issue, Tan Kefei stated that China has indisputable sovereignty over the South China Sea islands and their adjacent waters.
China is committed to resolving relevant disputes through negotiations and consultations with the countries directly concerned on the basis of respecting historical facts and international law.
As an extraterritorial country, the United States ignores international law and the basic norms of international relations, often flaunts force in the South China Sea under the guise of "freedom of navigation," provocatively disrupts the South China Sea, and continues to undermine the efforts of regional countries to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea, and has become a direct driver of tensions in the South China Sea.
Tan Kefei pointed out that the development of a healthy and stable relationship between the two militaries conforms to the common interests of China and the United States, and is also the general expectation of the international community. "We urge the U.S. to truly respect China's core interests and major concerns, correct its own wrong words and deeds, and do more things that are conducive to the development of relations between the two countries and the two militaries. The Chinese military will resolutely defend national sovereignty, security, and development interests, and resolutely safeguard the region and the world. Peace and stability." (End)