Military spokesman hits back at US admiral's rhetoric

The Chinese military resolutely opposes a United States military official making irresponsible and erroneous comments on issues related to China's internal affairs, including Hong Kong, Xinjiang, Taiwan and the South China Sea, the Ministry of National Defense said in a statement on Friday.

Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, a spokesman of the ministry, made the comments in response to recent rhetoric by US Admiral John Aquilino, commander of US Indo-Pacific Command, on meddling in China's domestic affairs and hyping up China-US confrontation.

"The Taiwan, Hong Kong and Xinjiang questions are purely China's domestic affairs, no foreign power has the right to interfere," Tan said. "The US brazenly meddling in other countries' internal affairs is a blatant disregard of international laws and basic principles in international relations."

As for the South China Sea, Tan said US is not a country from the region, but is keen on flexing its muscle and disturbing the situation under the pretense of "freedom of navigation". Tan said these actions have sabotaged the peace and stability in the South China Sea jointly safeguarded by countries from the region.

"Reality has proven the US is the biggest troublemaker and threat to peace and stability in the South China Sea," he said.

At the moment, China-US military-to-military relations and bilateral ties are at a critical crossroads, and their development is being closely observed by people from both countries and the international community, he said.

"Developing healthy and stable bilateral military relations is in the interest of both sides, and the common aspiration of the world," he said. However, China has its principles and prerequisites when developing China-US military ties.

"We urge the US to earnestly respect China's core interests and major concerns, uphold the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiqués, be mindful of its own actions and deeds and make more contribution to the growth of China-US military relations and bilateral ties," he said.

Tan said the US should reflect on its own actions before correcting others. After the end of World War II, the US is still launching wars and military operations around the globe. Since 2001, the wars in Iraq, Libya and Syria have caused over 800,000 casualties and tens of millions of refugees, he said.

"In sharp contrast, the People's Liberation Army has always upheld the banner of cooperation," he said, adding the PLA has participated in numerous missions in peacekeeping, maritime escort, humanitarian rescue and disaster relief.

"The PLA has proactively facilitated reform of the global security governance system, safeguarded equality and justice, and promoted peace and development," he said.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the PLA has also collaborated with other militaries to combat the virus. "The PLA will always safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, and make greater contributions to building a community with a shared future for mankind," he said.