Beijing, July 19, 2024, The Europe Today: China’s military development is solely focused on safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests, as well as promoting international and regional peace and stability, a Chinese defense spokesperson stated on Friday.
Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, made these remarks in response to a media inquiry regarding the Defense of Japan 2024 white paper. The document addresses tensions in the Taiwan Strait and the China-Russia joint maritime patrol.
Zhang criticized the white paper, describing it as filled with clichés and misleading the international community while providing pretexts for Japan’s military buildup. He added that China deplores and rejects the white paper and has lodged stern representations with Japan.
“It is legitimate and justified for China to conduct maritime and air activities in accordance with international law and relevant domestic laws,” Zhang asserted. He emphasized that the greatest threats to peace in the Taiwan Strait are the separatist activities of “Taiwan independence” and the support from external forces.
Zhang also highlighted that defense cooperation between China and Russia is based on non-alliance, non-confrontation, and not targeting any third party. This cooperation, he noted, is conducive to maintaining international and regional peace and stability, as well as upholding international equity and justice.
“History has already proven, and will continue to prove, that China has always been a force for peace, stability, and progress in the world,” Zhang remarked.
He urged Japan to learn from history, cease slandering China and interfering in its internal affairs, and to speak and act with prudence on issues of military security. Zhang called on Japan to earn the trust of its Asian neighbors and the international community through concrete actions.
