On the afternoon of October 27, the Ministry of National Defense held a regular press conference, and Colonel Tan Kefei, deputy director of the Ministry of National Defense News Bureau and spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense, answered questions from reporters.
Reporter: According to reports, the Russian Ministry of Defense said that the defense ministers of Russia and China held a phone call a few days ago. What is the spokesperson’s comment on this?
Tan Kefei: China's State Councilor and Defense Minister Wei Fenghe and Russian Defense Minister Shoigu recently had a phone call to exchange views on international and regional issues of concern to both sides.
The Ministry of Defense said that Japan should fulfill its political commitments and shall not interfere in the Taiwan issue
Reporter: According to Japan Kyodo News , the Japanese government plans to consider the situation in the Taiwan Strait in the revised "National Security Guarantee Strategy" at the end of the year, which states that "not acknowledge the unilateral change of the status quo by strength" in response to the situation in the Taiwan Strait, and may reflect the "free and open Indo-Pacific concept" concept and the "quad-lateral security dialogue" mechanism of Japan, the United States, Australia and India. What is China’s comment on this?
Tan Kefei: We have noticed the relevant reports. For some time, Japan has deliberately hyped up its issues involving China by taking advantage of Taiwan issues such as the Taiwan issue, roughly interfering in China's internal affairs, and exaggerating the so-called "China's military threat". This is ulterior motive and irresponsible.
The two sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one China, and Taiwan is part of China. 50 years ago, the Japanese side solemnly promised in the " Sino-Japanese Joint Statement " to recognize that the Government of the People's Republic of China is China's only legal government; for the Chinese government's reaffirmation that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory of the People's Republic of China, the Japanese government fully understands and respects this position and adheres to the position of following Article 8 of the Potsdam Announcement . Japan shall abide by the basic norms of international relations, fulfill its serious political commitments to China, and shall not interfere in the Taiwan issue. It should be pointed out that in recent years, Japan has been keen to follow up on other countries' policies to curb China, and to build targeted "small circles" in the name of "freedom and openness", which is contrary to the common expectation of regional countries to seek peace, development and cooperation.
This year marks the 450th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan in . Japan should review its original aspirations and move towards China, implement the important consensus of "being partners and not posing threats to each other" and promote bilateral relations to always develop along the right track. We urge the Japanese side to learn from history, be cautious in their words and actions in the field of military security, and not to interfere in China's internal affairs, harm China's security interests, and not to undermine regional security and stability.
Defense Department: The US National Security Strategy report deviates from the theme of the era of peaceful development
Reporter: The US White House recently released the National Security Strategy report, claiming that China is the only competitor with both intention and ability to reshape the international order of , posing the most serious geopolitical challenge to the US. What is the spokesperson’s comment on this?
Tan Kefei: This report of the US side is full of Cold War thinking and zero-sum game concepts, deliberately exaggerating China's "challenges", geopolitical conflicts and competition from major powers, maliciously creates camp confrontation with the ideology , questioning China's normal military development, this is a misjudgment of China's relations and a misunderstanding of China's development, and it runs contrary to the theme of the era of peaceful development and the general expectations of the international community.
As a founding member of the United Nations and a permanent member of the Security Council, China has unswervingly followed the path of peaceful development and actively participated in the reform and construction of the global governance system. It has always been a firm defender of the international system with the United Nations as the core and the international order based on international law . This has long been consensus in the international community and has become a public opinion. No country can reverse right and wrong by issuing a report. In contrast, the US report is still implementing "integrated deterrence" in the military in accordance with the routine of creating enemies, forming cliques, and expanding military power, accelerating the construction of "three-in-one" nuclear forces, creating excuses for seeking and consolidating hegemony and power, and putting one's own interests above international justice. This is a major threat and severe challenge to the international system and international order.
If China and the United States work together, both will benefit, and if they fight, both will suffer. We urge the US side to view the development of China and the Chinese military objectively and rationally, put President Biden and President 4’s “four no and one unintentional” statement into practice, move in line with China, and promote China-US relations to return to a healthy and stable development track.
Defense Ministry: Solving the Taiwan issue is the Chinese's own business and firmly opposes the US-Taiwan military contacts
Reporter: According to reports, the US Senate's fiscal year 2023 " National Defense Authorization Act " that is being discussed in the US Senate may include some of the contents of the "2022 Taiwan Policy Act" passed by the Senate Foreign Affairs Commission in September. What is the spokesperson’s comment?
Tan Kefei: The United States has been concocting Taiwan-related policies and bills that undermine China's sovereignty, and has been increasingly engaged in "using Taiwan to control China", especially some clauses are intended to strengthen the military ties between the United States and Taiwan and support the so-called "self-defense." These actions seriously interfere in China's internal affairs, seriously violate the provisions of the three joint communiqués of China and the United States, and seriously violate the US's serious political commitment to China on the Taiwan issue. A country that is well aware that "a separatist family cannot last" and has used force to maintain unity, but has repeatedly betrayed and acted recklessly on issues involving the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of other countries. This is a typical "double standard". We firmly oppose this and have made solemn representations to the US side.
Taiwan is Taiwan of China. Solving the Taiwan issue is the Chinese's own business and it must be decided by the Chinese. We urge the US to stop playing with fire on the Taiwan issue. The People's Liberation Army of China has always been a strong force to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and any attempt to obstruct China's complete reunification will inevitably fail.
Defense Department: If the US intends to strengthen communication, negative factors affecting the relationship between the two militaries should be eliminated
Reporter: According to reports, US Secretary of Defense Austin said in an interview that the US is working hard to reopen military communication channels between the US and China, and hope that China can cooperate with the US on this. What is the spokesperson’s comment on this?
Tan Kefei: We have noticed the relevant statements of the US side. China attaches great importance to the relationship between China and the United States and is willing to carry out communication between the two militaries, but it has principles and bottom lines for the development of relationship between the two militaries. In response to the malicious provocations of the United States in the early stage, we have taken resolute measures to counter the situation and firmly defend national sovereignty and dignity. Everything has cause and effect. The serious difficulties faced by the bimilitarized relations lies entirely with the US side. If the US intends to strengthen military communication between China and the United States, it should be consistent in words and deeds, show sincerity, truly respect China's interests and major concerns, and eliminate negative factors that affect the relationship between the two militaries.
The Ministry of Defense requires the US to stop selling weapons in Taiwan and the US-Taiwan military contacts
Reporter: According to Taiwanese media reports, the 21st "US-Taiwan Defense Industry Conference" ended recently. Taiwan sources revealed that the United States may announce a number of arms sales projects to Taiwan by the end of the year. What is your comment on this?
Tan Kefei: For some time, the US has repeatedly violated its political commitment to not support "Taiwan independence", repeatedly played the "Taiwan card" to interfere in China's internal affairs, and even sent out a false signal of helping Taiwan to "resist the unification with force." These bad actions of the United States seriously undermine China's national sovereignty and security, seriously threaten peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, bring major strategic risks to the relationship between China and the United States, and send serious wrong signals to the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces. China expressed serious concern and firmly opposed this.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the publication of the "August 17th" communiqué of China and the United States. In the communiqué, the US clearly acknowledged in its communique that there is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is part of China. The government of the People's Republic of China is the only legal government in China. It clearly promised not to seek to implement the policy of long-term selling of weapons to Taiwan, and gradually reduce arms sales to Taiwan until the problem is finally resolved. Black and white words, clear. But in fact, the US has repeatedly betrayed its promises. Especially in recent years, the United States has blurred and hollowed out the one-China principle, constantly instigating arms sales to Taiwan, creating obstacles to China's peaceful reunification.
Taiwan's security ultimately depends on the peaceful development of cross-strait relations. The US arms sales to Taiwan will only increase tensions and conflict risks in the Taiwan Strait. We urge the US to stop selling weapons to US-Taiwan and not make mistakes again and again on the Taiwan issue. The People's Liberation Army of China closely monitors the situation in the Taiwan Strait and will continue to take effective measures to firmly defend national sovereignty and security interests.
Ministry of Defense urges Japan to eliminate the harm of chemical weapons in Japan as soon as possible
Reporter: Recently, the 101st Executive Council of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons reviewed and approved the plan to destroy Japanese abandoned chemical weapons in China after 2022. What is your comment on this?
Tan Kefei: During the war of aggression against China, Japanese militarists blatantly violated international law and used chemical weapons on a large scale, causing serious casualties between Chinese military and civilians. After the defeat, a large number of chemical weapons were secretly buried or discarded in China, which is still seriously threatening the lives, property and ecological environment security of the Chinese people. China has always asked Japan to strictly implement the provisions of the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the memorandums of the Governments of China and Japan, and to safely and completely destroy abandoned chemical weapons in China as soon as possible. The current Japanese chemical weapons destruction process is seriously lagging behind the deadline stipulated in the Convention. The destruction work has been overdue three times and is about to face the fourth overdue.
The 101st Executive Council of the Organization for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons Reviewed and approved the "Plan for the Destruction of Abandoned Chemical Weapons in the People's Republic of China after 2022", which fully reflects the international community's attention and support for the destruction of Japanese chemical weapons. China strongly urges Japan to fully, completely and accurately implement the Japanese chemical weapons destruction plan after 2022, effectively implement its political and legal commitments to the international community and China, increase investment, accelerate the process, and eliminate the harm of Japanese chemical weapons as soon as possible.
Ministry of Defense: The United States, Britain and Australia must faithfully fulfill its nuclear non-proliferation obligations
Reporter: According to foreign media reports, former Australian Prime Minister Keating recently stated that Australia should withdraw from the United States, Britain and Australia's "trilateral security partnership" (AUKUS). If the current Australian government continues to promote this cooperative relationship, it will be a tragedy for Australia. What is China’s comment on this?
Tan Kefei: The United States, Britain and Australia have established a trilateral security partnership and carried out nuclear submarine cooperation to pose a serious risk of nuclear proliferation, intensifying regional arms race, undermining regional peace and stability, and endangering world peace and security. China has expressed its clear and firm opposition through multiple channels.
China has always believed that any regional mechanism should conform to the trend of the times of peace and development, help enhance mutual trust and cooperation among regional countries, and should not target third parties or harm the interests of third parties. We urge the United States, Britain and Australia to abandon the Cold War mentality and zero-sum game concept, faithfully fulfill the nuclear non-proliferation obligation, revoke relevant wrong decisions, and do more things that are conducive to regional peace and stability.
Ministry of National Defense: The plots that deviate from the historical trend and betray national justice will not succeed
Reporter: Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen delivered a so-called "speech" on October 10, saying that it will accelerate the construction of Taiwan's own military strength and build asymmetric combat power. It is also reported that Taiwan’s defense department will submit a 2023 budget report in the near future, significantly increasing the defense budget. What is the spokesperson’s comment?
Tan Kefei: We have noticed the relevant reports. The DPP authorities have been trying to fool the people on the island and mislead international audio-visual through fabricating false narratives such as the so-called defense of "democracy and freedom" and responding to "mainland threats", and then seek political self-interest. They have always been the most "generous" when betting on the safety of their Taiwanese compatriots, essentially to seek "independence" and split the country with force. This kind of plan and act that deviates from the historical trend and betrays national justice will not succeed, it will only bring serious disasters to Taiwan compatriots and is an obstacle that must be removed in the process of peaceful reunification. "Taiwan independence" is a dead end, and unification is the right way. The People's Liberation Army of China is always on high alert and resolutely fulfills its sacred mission of defending national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity with practical actions.
Source: Ministry of National Defense releases
