On Saturday, 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.
In a statement, Zhang said the report distorted China’s national defense policy, grossly interfered in China’s internal affairs, speculated on China’s military development, and tried its best to discredit the Chinese military and hype up the so-called “Chinese military threat.”
“China is committed to the path of peaceful development and pursues a defensive national defense policy,” Zhang stated. He noted that the United States has illegally launched wars and military operations against Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, and other countries, resulting in severe humanitarian disasters. “The U.S. has become the No.1 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 maintains a nuclear policy of no-first-use (NFU) of nuclear weapons. He asserted that China has always kept its nuclear force at the minimum level required for national security.
In contrast, Zhang pointed out that the trilateral cooperation among the U.S., the UK, and Australia on nuclear-powered submarines seriously impacts the international nuclear non-proliferation system and undermines international and regional peace and stability.
Stressing the importance of the relationship between the two militaries, Zhang said 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. works with it to view the development of China and its armed forces in a positive, rational manner,” Zhang said. He urged the U.S. to take peace, stability, and trust as the basic principles of military-to-military exchanges and to build a relationship featuring no conflict, no confrontation, open and pragmatic cooperation, and gradual accumulation of mutual trust on the basis of equality and respect.
However, Zhang noted that the U.S. side issues 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
