Beijing – Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense, expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to a recent report on China’s military and security developments released by the U.S. Department of Defense.
Zhang stated that the report distorts China’s national defense policy, grossly interferes in China’s internal affairs, speculates on China’s military development, and attempts to discredit the Chinese military by hyping up the so-called “Chinese military threat.”
“China is committed to the path of peaceful development and pursues a defensive national defense policy,” Zhang asserted. He noted that the United States has illegally launched wars and military operations against countries such as Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan, resulting in severe humanitarian disasters. “The U.S. has become the number one destroyer of the international order and the biggest threat to global security,” he added.
Zhang emphasized that China adheres to a nuclear strategy of self-defense and upholds a policy of no-first-use (NFU) of nuclear weapons. He affirmed that China has always maintained its nuclear force at the minimum level required for national security.
Criticizing the trilateral cooperation among the U.S., the UK, and Australia on nuclear-powered submarines, Zhang said that such actions seriously impact the international nuclear non-proliferation system and undermine international and regional peace and stability.
Highlighting the importance of the relationship between the two militaries, Zhang stated that China has attached great importance to military-to-military relations with the United States and has maintained candid, effective communication through military diplomatic channels.
“China hopes that the U.S. will work with us to view China’s development and its armed forces in a positive, rational manner,” he said. Zhang called for taking peace, stability, and trust as the basic principles of military-to-military exchanges and building a relationship featuring no conflict, no confrontation, open and pragmatic cooperation, and gradual accumulation of mutual trust on the basis of equality and respect. This, he noted, would truly build a stable foundation for the development of bilateral relations.
Zhang criticized the U.S. for issuing such irresponsible reports year after year. He urged the U.S. to stop fabricating false narratives, correct its erroneous perceptions of China, and promote the healthy, stable development of relations between the militaries of the two countries.
Reference(s):
Spokesperson: China opposes U.S. report on its military development
cgtn.com
