Ministry of National Defense: We Will Never Allow Any Disruptive Schemes in the South China Sea to Succeed
On the afternoon of February 28, Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, released a statement regarding recent military-related issues.
Reporter: According to reports, recently the Philippines, the United States, Japan, and Australia have conducted so-called "joint patrols" in the air and maritime areas near Huangyan Island. The US and the Philippines held a strategic dialogue stating that China's activities in the South China Sea have adverse effects on regional peace and stability, as well as on the economy of the Indo-Pacific and even broader regions. What is your comment on this?
Zhang Xiaogang: External countries like the US come thousands of miles to the South China Sea to flaunt their military power, deliberately stoking tensions and causing disturbances, which is the source of the chaos; the Philippines, relying on external forces to create trouble at sea, continuously provokes China, infringing on our rights and harming the common interests of regional countries, making them an undeniable troublemaker and peace destroyer.
China has indisputable sovereignty over the South China Sea islands and their adjacent waters, and possesses sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the relevant maritime areas. China conducts normal activities in its own jurisdictional waters and takes necessary measures to safeguard its sovereignty and rights, which is legitimate, lawful, professionally restrained, and beyond reproach. The Chinese military always maintains a high level of readiness and resolutely counteracts any acts of infringement and provocation, ensuring that no schemes to disrupt the South China Sea succeed, thus maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea.
On February 28, the Chinese Armed Forces stated their commitment to maintaining sovereignty in the South China Sea amid joint patrols by the U.S., Philippines, Japan, and Australia near Huangyan Island. The spokesperson criticized these foreign military activities as provocations that threaten regional peace. China maintains that it will not allow any disruptive schemes in the South China Sea and will respond firmly to any infringements.
- China asserts undisputed sovereignty over the South China Sea islands and adjacent waters.
- China's military is on high alert to counter any provocations.
- The U.S. and allied nations are conducting joint patrols near Huangyan Island.
- The Philippines is accused of relying on foreign powers to create tensions in the region.
- China emphasizes its legitimate and professional actions in its territorial waters.