Wed, August 01, 2012
A military spokesman yesterday warned foreign countries to avoid interfering with territorial disputes between China and its neighbors regarding the South China Sea.
On the eve of the 85th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army, the Chinese government held a press conference by inviting senior officers with the PLA to meet the press.
"We oppose any country outside the region intervening in these disputes," Defense Ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng said on the sidelines of the conference.
"Any intervention by countries outside the region will complicate the problem and even deteriorate the situation," Geng said, calling for bilateral dialogue and negotiations to solve disputes in both the South China Sea and the East China Sea.
Tensions have risen in the South China Sea, where China, Vietnam, the Philippines and other several countries in the region have made overlapping territorial claims over multiple islands.
On April 10, a Philippine warship harassed 12 Chinese fishing vessels that had sailed near Huangyan Island to seek shelter from inclement weather, triggering a months-long maritime standoff near the island.
Geng, a senior colonel in the PLA, said: "Safeguarding national sovereignty and maritime interests is a common responsibility shared by China's armed forces.
"We will cooperate with other agencies to perform our duties."
He said a combat-readiness patrol system has been established in waters under China's jurisdiction.
"The Chinese navy is justified in protecting the country's interests, and it is groundless to equate such a justified action with tough foreign policy," he said.
Colonel Lin Bai told reporters that China would not engage in an arms race.
"We will develop armaments appropriately in accordance with the needs of safeguarding state sovereignty and territorial integrity, as China will continue to take the path of peaceful development," Lin said.
Senior Colonel Wang Yongsheng said: "Our army belongs to the Party, but it also belongs to the state and to the people."
Related news:
Varyag completes 9th sea trail, no plan to in service
Military: China opposes military intervention in South China Sea
China, South Korea agree on fishing quota in exclusive waters
Japanese defense white paper hypes up China threat
Tokyo advertising Diaoyus in WSJ fishing for US support
China expresses "grave concern" over Japanese PM's remarks on Diaoyu Islands
Japan's PM: Mobilize SDF for Diaoyus if necessary
Memorial on Diaoyu Islands, Japan further to poison ties with China
Japan's FM: US confirms Diaoyu Islands under US-Japan Treaty
Japan's defense chief supports Tokyo's landing
China "strongly dissatisfied" with Japan on Diaoyu Islands: spokesman
"Buying-Islands" farce to badly damage hard-won China-Japan relations
