BEIJING, Nov. 28 -- "The Chinese side stays committed to handling disputes through friendly consultation, and working with regional countries to build the South China Sea into a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation," said Senior Colonel Wu Qian, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, in reply to a question regarding the US's recent statement over the South China Sea issue, at a regular press conference on Thursday.
It is reported that, according to the spokesperson of the US Department of Defense, US Secretary of Defense said at the ADMM-Plus that security cooperation between the US and ASEAN is conducive to building a more prosperous and stable region. He also pointed out that "coercive PRC activities in the South China Sea, the violence in Myanmar, and the Russian war against Ukraine" are major security challenges in today's world.
When being asked to share comment, Senior Colonel Wu said that US Secretary of Defense made groundless accusations against China at the ADMM-Plus, to which Chinese Defense Minister Admiral Dong Jun refuted on the spot.
"Defense Minister Dong pointed out that the US side has provoked and connived with certain regional countries to make provocations in the South China Sea for its selfish gains. This behavior severely undermines regional peace and stability, to which regional countries should keep high vigilance," added the Chinese defense spokesperson.
Furthermore, the spokesperson pointed out that the root causes behind the US acts lie in its entrenched Cold War mentality and hegemonic thoughts. The US hypocrisy and double standards are fully exposed in the Ukraine crisis and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and are despised by all peace-loving peoples around the world.
"We urge the US side to stop fabricating lies, making provocations and stirring up troubles, and refrain from going further down the wrong path," stressed the spokesperson.
