China News Service, April 28. Tan Kefei, deputy director of the Information Bureau of the Ministry of National Defense and spokesman of the Ministry of National Defense, said on the 28th that the United States has used the so-called "freedom of navigation" as an excuse for many years to ignore other countries' maritime rights and security concerns, and frequently dispatch military ships and aircraft to infringe The sovereignty and security of other countries undermine regional peace and tranquility. China firmly opposes this and calls on relevant countries to jointly oppose such maritime bullying.
On the afternoon of the 28th, the Ministry of National Defense held a regular press conference.
At the meeting, a reporter asked: The U.S. Department of Defense recently released the "Freedom of Navigation Operation" 2021 fiscal year report, claiming that from October 2020 to September 2021, the U.S. has challenged 37 "excessive maritime claims" from 26 countries and regions ”, of which the most related to China, involving 5 times in mainland China and 1 time in Taiwan.
Does the spokesperson have any comments?
Tan Kefei said he had noticed the report and said that the US has used the so-called "freedom of navigation" as an excuse for many years to ignore the maritime rights and security concerns of other countries, and frequently dispatched military ships and aircraft to violate the sovereignty and security of other countries and undermine regional peace and tranquility. Oppose and call on relevant countries to jointly oppose this kind of maritime bullying.
Tan Kefei pointed out that "navigation" is not overbearing, and "freedom" is not arbitrary. Everything should be based on international law and basic norms of international relations, and the borders should be based on the sovereignty and security of coastal states. This is a self-evident truth.
The U.S. has not even joined the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, but has repeatedly resorted to barbaric "law enforcement" with its powerful ships and cannons. In essence, it is challenging the international order based on international law, continuously threatening the safety of maritime navigation and increasing regional tensions.
These behaviors are not worthy of self-promotion by publishing reports. Instead, you should deeply reflect on how many collisions and casualties caused by your own willful actions and self-righteousness.
Tan Kefei said that we urge the United States to take the responsibilities of a responsible major country, stop the so-called "freedom of navigation operations", stop publishing such irresponsible reports, earnestly respect the sovereignty, security and maritime rights and interests of other countries, and do more. Contribute to regional peace and stability.