Ministry of Defense Responds to Recent Military Hot Topics, Zhang Xiaogang: Firmly Opposes Spreading False Information Against China

[Global Times Report, Reporter Guo Yuandan] In response to reports that "SMIC provided chip manufacturing equipment to the Iranian military, and a Chinese commercial satellite company publicly released images of U.S. military bases in the Middle East," Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense, stated on the 9th that China firmly opposes the dissemination of speculative and insinuative false information against China by relevant parties.

On the afternoon of the 9th, Zhang Xiaogang released a message regarding recent military-related issues. Reports indicated that SMIC provided chip manufacturing equipment to the Iranian military, and a Chinese commercial satellite company publicly released images of U.S. military bases in the Middle East. U.S. officials claimed to be aware of the actions taken by China and Russia to assist Iran and stated that they would respond to these actions if necessary.

In this regard, Zhang Xiaogang refuted, stating that China firmly opposes the dissemination of speculative and insinuative false information against China by relevant parties. China has been open and aboveboard regarding the Iranian issue, consistently maintaining an objective and fair stance, and has been working to promote peace and dialogue, never engaging in actions that exacerbate tensions. Zhang Xiaogang emphasized that the international community can clearly see who says one thing and does another, and who is creating turmoil and conflict everywhere.

Since the U.S. and Israel launched military strikes against Iran on February 28, the world has been highly concerned about the situation in the Middle East. China has maintained communication with all parties, actively promoting peace and preventing war, hoping to resolve disputes and quell conflicts through political and diplomatic means. However, there are still those with ulterior motives who view China's efforts and stance through "colored glasses."

For example, recently, China's assistance to Cambodia in delivering its first 056-class frigate has arrived at the Yunrang Naval Base. Reports indicate that amid rising regional tensions, countries like Thailand are closely monitoring the development of maritime security. In response, Zhang Xiaogang stated, "This is a cooperative project between the Chinese and Cambodian militaries, not aimed at any third party, and is unrelated to the current regional situation."

Additionally, the Philippine Navy claimed that China might be using the international community's focus on the Middle East conflict to escalate "harassment" activities against the Philippines in the South China Sea. The Philippine National Maritime Council stated that China has recently conducted "dangerous operations" against Philippine vessels and personnel in the South China Sea.

"Recently, the Philippine side has intruded into China's Huangyan Island and the air and sea space around the Nansha Islands, deliberately trespassing into China's training area, and even dangerously approaching Chinese vessels, repeatedly infringing upon and disturbing China, creating risks of insecurity and instability in the Asia-Pacific region," Zhang Xiaogang emphasized. He urged the Philippine side to stop "relying on foreign powers to create disturbances at sea" and provoking incidents, or they would only suffer the consequences and gain nothing. China’s determination to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights is unwavering, and it will continue to resolutely counter any acts of infringement and provocation.

All along, the Philippines has been making small moves in the South China Sea. On the 9th, the Philippine Coast Guard activated its first dedicated command center on the illegally occupied Zhongye Island in the Nansha Islands. "This command center is an upgrade from the original guard station, and after the upgrade, the relevant funding, personnel allocation, and logistical support will all increase accordingly, essentially aimed at securing more resources to meet the private interests of the department," Ding Duo, director of the Regional Country Studies Institute at the South China Sea Research Institute, told Global Times reporters on the 9th.

China and the Philippines held consecutive meetings of the bilateral consultation mechanism on the South China Sea issue and a new round of diplomatic consultations on March 28. Ding Duo believes that against the backdrop of improved negotiation atmosphere between the Philippine Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant Chinese parties, "the Philippine Armed Forces continue to take such actions, reflecting the duality in their internal policy towards China."

Ding Duo emphasized that given the Philippines' failure to honor its commitments, the model of negotiating while fighting over the South China Sea issue will become normalized. It can be confirmed that if the Philippines continues to provoke on territorial sovereignty issues, China will not hold back and will firmly safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.