SCIO briefing on China's national defense
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E-mail China.org.cn, July 25, 2019
CNN:
Regarding South Korea's accusation against Russian and Chinese aircraft of "violating" its airspace, the Pentagon spokesman said the U.S. Defense Department was in close coordination with its Korean and Japanese allies about the event, and will continue to monitor activities as they make follow-up contacts with the Russian and Chinese military in diplomatic channels. I would like to know China's response to it.
And I have another related question. Mark Esper was sworn in as the new defense secretary in Washington yesterday. He has long pushed for the U.S. to take a hardline stance against China. Earlier this year, he stated the U.S. was engaged in strategic competition with China, which is both the foundation and the shaping of his views in this regard. Also, he thinks that Russia and China's aggressive development of formations, capabilities and weapons systems in recent years poses a long-term threat to American interests. Many people believe that the U.S. military is more likely to engage in a public standoff with the Chinese military during Esper's tenure. What is your comment on this? Do you have any concerns about the Sino-U.S. military relationship while Esper serves as defense secretary? Thank you.
Wu Qian:
For your first question. On July 23, the Chinese and Russian air forces organized the first joint air patrol in Northeast Asia. China's two H-6K bombers, along with two Russian Tu-95 bombers, patrolled a pre-planned route over the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea. During the patrol, the planes of China and Russia maintained their flights in line with international rules and did not enter territorial air space of any other country.
This joint patrol was carried out with the aim of deepening the two countries' comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era, of further increasing understanding between the armed forces of the two countries, and of enhancing their capabilities to carry out joint actions, and strengthening global strategic stability. The exercise was performed in line with the planned annual military cooperation program between China and Russia and was not aimed against any third country.
Furthermore, we also noticed that the Russian Ministry of Defense has issued a statement in this regard, and I suggest you read it.
For your second question, Mark Esper has been confirmed as the U.S. Secretary of Defense and we would like to extend our congratulations to him. We hope that the military relations between China and U.S. could achieve healthy and stable development during his tenure. However, here I also would like to emphasize two points: first, China's sovereignty, security and developmental interests are inviolable. Second, the development of China's military power is entirely in line with the development of the forces for world peace. Thank you.
