China Daily, China Wednesday expressed strong dissatisfaction with and firm opposition to a report on China's military power published by the US Defense Department.
Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, on behalf of the Chinese government, summoned David Sedney, the charge-de-affaires of US embassy in China, and lodged solemn representation with the US government.
Yang said the report “groundlessly criticizes” China's defense modernization drive, and “makes unwarranted charges” on China's normal defense construction and military deployment. With no concrete grounds, the report claims that China has become the world's third largest spender in military expenditure, and China's rapid military modernization poses a threat to the U.S. and other military powers in Asia-Pacific region, he said.
In an attempt to give an excuse for US to sell advanced weaponry to Taiwan, the report trumpeted that China's military modernization makes the necessity for Taiwan to develop counter-measures, said the vice foreign minister.
Regardless of facts, he said, the report makes every effort to spread the rhetoric of “China threat”, which is a move to grossly interfere in China's internal affairs and foment dissension between China and its neighboring countries.
Such an act “severely breaches the basic norms governing the international relations and runs counter to the principles in the three Sino-US joint communiques,” he said.
Yang stressed that China adheres to an independent foreign policy of peace and adopts a defensive defense policy. Upholding the flags of peace, development and cooperation, China is an important force to promote peace in Asia-Pacific region and the world at large, Yang said.
In recent years, China's defense expenditure has increased amidst the country's economic development in an effort to improve the living conditions of the servicemen, he said.
At the same time, it is necessary for the Chinese armed force to upgrade some weaponry to cope with the complicated international situation,safeguard state sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, Yang said. “This is the due rights for China as a sovereign state and no other country has the right to intervene,” he stressed.
In fact, in comparison with other big nations, China's defense expenditure remains in a relative low level, Yang said, citing the statistics that China's military payout in 2004 totaled 25.579 billion US dollars. In contrast, “the US defense expenditure hit 455.9 billion US dollars at the same time, or 17.8 times more than that of China in total payout and 77 times more than that of China in term of per-capita defense expenditure,” Yang added.
“On such facts, people can make their own fair judgement,” he said, adding his question that “Why should the US is qualified to carp and cavil on China's defensive defense policy and measures and make random comments?”
He also pointed out that China's normal military exchanges and cooperation with other countries is justified and does not target at any other third country. “It is utterly wrong for the US side to create obstacles in the regard,” said Yang.
Yang stressed that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory, and China strongly opposes the interference in China's internal affairs by any foreign country in any forms. He said the Chinese government adheres to basic principles of “peaceful reunification, and one country, two systems”, and will make utmost efforts to strive for peaceful reunification across the Taiwan Straits with utmost sincerity.
China, however, will never tolerate “Taiwan Independence”, or any move to separate Taiwan from China by anyone in any way, Yang stressed. “We have the confidence and capability to achieve the reunification of the motherland,” he said.
The U.S. should honor its own commitment with concrete actions, adhere to one-China policy, observe the three Sino-US joint communiques, oppose “Taiwan Independence”, stop arms sales and military links with Taiwan in an effort to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits as well as the common interests of China and the U.S., Yang said.
The U.S. should not confound right and wrong, create excuse for continuing its arms sales to Taiwan, and send wrong signals the separatist forces seeking “Taiwan Independence”, he warned.
Yang noted the U.S. should value the progress in Sino-US relations in recent years, and do more things conducive to the healthy and steady growth of Sino-US relations, rather than making trouble in bilateral ties. It is the mainstream for countries in Asia-Pacific region to seek peace, development and cooperation and such a trend is continuing to develop, Yang said.
Countries in Asia-Pacific region in general believed that the development of China is an opportunity instead of a threat, he said, adding that such belief is also the consensus of the international community. “Efforts made by the US defense department to plot such a report and spread so-called 'China threat' will be totally in vain,” he said.
China solemnly demands the U.S. conforms to the trend, respect the facts, correct its mistakes, stop attacking China with no concrete reason, and halt its interference in China's internal affairs as well as the remarks and acts infringing Sino-US relations, Yang said.
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