Ministry of National Defense: Resolutely oppose coercion, bullying and bloc confrontation in the South China Sea
The MND: Firm Opposition to Coercion, Bullying and Bloc Confrontation by the US in the South China Sea
On the afternoon of 26 September, the Ministry of National Defense held a regular press conference, at which Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, deputy director of the Information Bureau of the Ministry of National Defense and spokesman of the Ministry of National Defense, answered reporters' questions.
Reporter: On September 21-22, the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue Leaders' Summit was held between the United States, Japan, India and Australia. The joint statement after the summit stated that it was not aimed at China, but accused the South China Sea of "coercion and bullying". In addition, the joint statement also announced that the Quad Coast Guard will hold a joint patrol operation next year, and plans to expand the "Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness Partnership." Do you have any comment on this?
Question: The 2024 Quad Leaders Summit issued a joint statement which did not mention China directly but criticized coercive and intimidating maneuvers in the South China Sea. It also announced to launch a first-ever Quad-at-sea Ship Observer Mission by coast guards of the four countries in 2025. What’s your comment?
Zhang Xiaogang: The joint statement uses specious language to try to cover up its sinister intentions against China. It should be emphasized that China has indisputable sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao and its adjacent waters. China's rights protection and law enforcement in the sea and airspace under its jurisdiction are completely justified, reasonable and beyond reproach.
Zhang Xiaogang: Relevant joint statement uses vague languages to cover its malicious intention to target China. It needs to be emphasized that China has indisputable sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao and its adjacent waters. It is fully legitimate, justified and beyond reproach for China to conduct constructions on our own territory and carry out law-enforcement operations in waters and airspace under our jurisdiction.
The United States, Japan, India and Australia are not parties to the South China Sea issue, but they are engaged in "microphone diplomacy" against China, openly and covertly accusing and smearing China, stirring up trouble and misleading public opinion. In particular, the US has deployed offensive weapons in the South China Sea, enlisted its allies to conduct frequent military exercises, and conducted reconnaissance of China's islands and reefs. If you want to say who is engaged in coercion and bullying in the South China Sea, and who is engaged in bloc confrontation, the United States deserves it.
Though not directly concerned in the South China Sea issue, the US, Japan, India and Australia are resorting to microphone diplomacy to criticize and smear China and stir up troubles and mislead the public. In particular, the US has deployed offensive weapons in the region, worked with its allies to step up military exercises, and conduct close-in reconnaissance against China’s islands and reefs. Talking about militarization, coercion, bullying, and bloc confrontation in the South China Sea, I think the US deserves these labels more than any other country.
Joint patrols carried out by relevant countries should be conducive to maintaining regional peace and stability and should not harm the interests of third parties. China resolutely opposes acts of stirring up right and wrong, stirring up trouble and aggravating tensions in the South China Sea, resolutely safeguarding its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and resolutely safeguarding peace and stability in the South China Sea.
Joint maritime operations carried out by relevant countries should contribute to regional peace and stability, and not harm the interests of any third party. The Chinese side is firmly opposed to actions that may stir up troubles and escalate tensions in the South China Sea. We will firmly defend our own sovereignty, security and maritime rights and interest, and maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.
Source: Ministry of National Defense Network Editor-in-charge: He Shuyin