BEIJING, June 14 -- "Japan is not a concerned party in the South China Sea issue and therefore has no right to meddle in the maritime disputes between China and the Philippines," said Chinese Defense Spokesperson Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang at a regular press briefing on Friday.
It is reported that the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Self-defense Fleet Command is exploring a "sister unit" partnership with the Philippine Navy to keep the Chinese Navy from "changing the status quo in the South China Sea by way of strength". Meanwhile, Japan and the Philippines have signed the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), which allows them to deploy troops on each other's territory.
When being asked to comment on that, Snr. Col. Zhang Xiaogang made it clear that it is China's consistent position that the defense cooperation between relevant countries should not target a third party or harm a third party's interests, nor damage regional peace and stability.
"It is exactly the Philippines, which relies on external forces, and the out-of-region countries, which stick their noses where they don't belong, that are changing the status quo in the South China Sea and aggravating regional tension," said the spokesperson.
Snr. Col. Zhang stressed that Japan's constant finger-pointing at China is just an excuse for it to create tension, expand military forces, and gang up for bloc confrontation.
"Japan has repeatedly concocted incidents to launch wars of aggression against foreign countries in history. The international community should stay highly alert to its tendency to once again take the wrong path of militarism," said the spokesperson.
Nanhai Zhudao (the South China Sea Islands) are China's inherent territory since ancient times, said Snr. Col. Zhang, adding that Chinese side will resolutely safeguard its sovereign security and maritime rights and interests with stronger capabilities and more reliable means.
