China has expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to a recent report by the U.S. Department of Defense concerning China’s military and security developments. Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense, denounced the report as a distortion of China’s national defense policy and an interference in its internal affairs.
Speaking on Saturday, Zhang accused the U.S. of speculating on China’s military development and attempting to discredit the Chinese military by hyping up the so-called “Chinese military threat.” He emphasized that China is committed to peaceful development and pursues a defensive national defense policy.
Zhang highlighted that, in contrast, the United States has engaged in numerous military operations in countries like Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan, leading to severe humanitarian disasters. He labeled the U.S. as the “No.1 destroyer of the international order” and the biggest threat to global security.
The spokesperson reiterated China’s adherence to a nuclear strategy of self-defense and the policy of no-first-use of nuclear weapons, maintaining its nuclear capabilities at the minimum level required for national security.
Zhang also criticized the trilateral cooperation among the U.S., the UK, and Australia on nuclear-powered submarines, stating that it seriously impacts the international nuclear non-proliferation system and undermines regional peace and stability.
Stressing the importance of the China-U.S. military relationship, Zhang noted that China attaches great importance to maintaining candid and effective communication with the United States through military diplomatic channels.
He called on the U.S. to view China’s development and its armed forces in a positive and rational manner, and to build a military-to-military relationship based on no conflict, no confrontation, open and pragmatic cooperation, and mutual trust founded on equality and respect.
Zhang urged the United States to stop issuing what he described as irresponsible reports, to correct its erroneous perceptions of China, and to promote the healthy and stable development of relations between the two militaries.
Reference(s):
Spokesperson: China opposes U.S. report on its military development
cgtn.com
