US arms dealers' Taiwan visit to be closely monitored

Defense ministry also expresses 'serious concerns' on military bases in Philippines

The Chinese military will continue to closely monitor the situation in the Taiwan Strait, maintain a high level of alertness at all times and take necessary actions in accordance with the law, Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, spokesman of the Ministry of National Defense, said on Thursday.

In mid-April, foreign media reported that representatives from several United States defense contractors would visit Taiwan in early May to discuss joint production of drones and ammunition.

In response to the reports, Tan said the Chinese military expresses serious concerns about the trip as the Taiwan question is purely China's internal affairs and does not allow for any foreign interference.

"The US 'Military-Industrial Complex' has always been keen on selling weapons around the world and exporting wars for profit," Tan said, adding that Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party is contemptible for "inviting wolves into their homes" and their actions will only bring calamity to Taiwan compatriots.

Tan said nobody can undermine the Chinese military's determination to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"We strongly urge the US to fully recognize the sensitivity of the Taiwan question and the complexity of the current situation in the Taiwan Strait, adhere to the one-China principle and the three Sino-US joint communiques, and properly handle Taiwan-related issues," he added.

Tan also urged the US to stop interfering in the Taiwan question and refrain from conducting military exchanges and selling arms to Taiwan. "The People's Liberation Army will resolutely counter any form of 'Taiwan independence' separatist activities and external interference, and will firmly safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said.

When commenting on US officials' recent accusations of China "militarizing" the South China Sea and that therefore the US should strengthen its military presence in the Philippines, Tan said China has indisputable sovereignty over the islands and their adjacent waters in the South China Sea.

"China building infrastructure and necessary defensive structures on these islands are a lawful exercise of national sovereignty and entirely legitimate," he said, adding other countries have no right to make irresponsible remarks about these actions.

Tan said China has expressed serious concerns about the US developing new military bases in the Philippines on multiple occasions. "Currently, the US is strengthening its military deployment in the South China Sea and deliberately heightening tensions. Countries from the region should remain highly vigilant to these developments," he said.

The Chinese military will resolutely defend the country's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights, and will firmly safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea, Tan concluded.

In response to a Pentagon report accusing China of conducting secretive nuclear tests, sensitive biological activities and the proliferation of missile technology, Tan said the content of the report is completely unfounded and purely fabricated with the intention of smearing China.

Tan said the US has adopted a double standard in terms of arms control, nonproliferation and disarmament to serve its own security interests.

"They have constantly shifted blame and withdrawn from treaties in the field of nuclear nonproliferation, obstructed negotiations on the verification protocol of the Biological Weapons Convention, and established hundreds of biological laboratories worldwide," Tan said.

Meanwhile, the US is also developing new types of nuclear warheads, cooperating with the United Kingdom and Australia in nuclear submarine programs, and advancing military plans in outer space and cyberspace, Tan said.

"These actions have seriously undermined global and regional strategic stability and have a significant impact on multilateral arms control, nonproliferation and disarmament processes," he said.

Tan added that China firmly upholds the international system with the United Nations at its core, as well as the international order based on international law. China has strictly fulfilled its international obligations and responsibilities, and has taken concrete actions to maintain the international arms control and nonproliferation system.

"We urge the US to reflect on its own behavior, refrain from smearing others and respond seriously to the international community's concerns about its commitment to following treaties," he said.

zhangzhihao@chinadaily.com.cn